New-York tribune., 1876-04-22
DEEPENING THE ERIE CANAL.

VIEWS OF THE CANAL CoMMisSIoNEEs-TIiEY THINK
THE GOVERNORS SUGGESTIONS MPRACIICADLE
AND MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ESTIMATED.
rrpoM THR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT Of TEE TFrBUSE. !
ALBANY, April 21.-The Lieutenant-GOv-
ernor presented the Senate this morning communi-
cation from tho three Canal Commissioners -Mcssrs.
Thayer Jackson and Walrathn reply To resolution Of
the Senate. cllng upon them for statement OF their
views with resp ct to the recommendations contained In
the Governors recent canal message, suggesting appro-
patons for tho work Of cleaning out the canal 30 as to
give an honest seven feet ofNater" Tho Commissioners
say that there is difficulty ia navigating the Erie,
Oswego Seneca, Cayuga Canals with boats drawing
six feet Of water and caynG $40 tons, bu except the
Chanp,an from this class iaey Of the opinion that
all the canals mentioned, except the Champain in its
present condition. capable Of doing more than double
the tonnage Of 1875 or Of any previous years.
In the iud o. cnt OF the Comm ssOners effect which
will merely enhance the utility a the Erie Canal
sbly cheaper transportation can be produced by the eI-
pendture Of the named in the message OF the Gov
eInor The difference OF fol in depth OF water though
out tne length Of the Erie Canal would facilitate the
m. .yement Of laden boats, but the expedition proposed
would he 50 tri1ug that Gppreciabe cheapening OF
TRANSPORTATION would result The Board OF the opiD
ion that the OF the proposed Improvement applied
10 the entire length Of the Erie Canal would not he less
than 81 100000 The Improvement would benefit nsvl-
CATION TO some extent by reducing resistance through the
enlarged waterway bat with miterills, aqueducts, n
culrerts remaining ak inches foot above the pro-
posed canal bottom it is evident boats could have no
increased draft as to leave substantial benefit result
in, or to le derived from the proposed Improvement
The adap ton Of all tho locks, aqueducts and oul-
vers the Commissioners say the proposed increase OF
depth can only be complied with by tie reconstruction
OF oil those structures from Albany TO LockpOrt the cost
of which cannot be estimated from any data now at
hand II wold be great TO exclude IL from serious
cousd ration. 1t is the opinion Of the Board OF Canal
Commissioners that foot additional depth OF water
over the present bottom, mitersis aqueducts and cul
yerts may be obtained without materially disturbing
these structures the prism OF thecana by raising the
banks and bridges at cost OF not more than SO0000O
IL regard land nagcs growing oJt OF the proposed
change in nal bottoms It is wellknown fact that
considerable portion OF the Erie Canal passes through
porous material OF coil which originally puddled, or
has been nnel With water-tight earth and the de-
posit OF sediment For many years before the bot
tom and banks became sOldhed the leaking and percoa
ton caused great damage TO adjoining Lands and build
ings The proposed work would necessarily 10 great
extent produce INJURIES for which the state would be
called upon to make compensation The amount OF such
copensaiion cannot be estimated. The Board say they
cannot but regard reducing tn. prism below the found
ton OF the existing walls likely 10 produce disturb
ances of the walls in many places Inc erect OF the
proposed change upon the water supply Wouo DO th!s
or course II wOud require more water Tor the greater
DEPTH the quantity required TO MAINTAIN III wOuld
have 10 be increased sufficiently to overcome the ls OF
water by percOatiVp and waste through the bottoIn,
which for years would be considerable ana might
in q pfotraeed drouh be productive OF serious dlnrng
in navigation. The Commissioners do not srenend any
difficulty IN opening the canals at early day for the
coming season, and maintaining q navigation quite
good that last year. with the customary amount hero
IOfOre appropriated tor ordinary repairs