Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-04

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"Gcneral Agent"
The CanaI-.A Statement Of the Da,n.
ages to 1t by the Frcshet.
Major John W. Johnston, president OF
the james River and Kanawha Canal Com
panv, arrived in Richmond from Lynchbur"
Thursday, and in response to request
for Il statement OF the damages 10 the canal,
the preparations being made Tor the re-
sumption OF navigation, and the condition
OF the Buchanan and Clfton-For@e railway,
gave the following:
Full details have not yet been received
from certain parts OF the line.
From Buchanan to North river-twcnty-
two miles-the damages are considerable.
Many washes and some injury to dams and
stone structures.
From North river to Rope Fcrry-siX
mlcs-seyeral bad washes and breaks.
From Rope Ferry to Lynchburg-twcnty-
two mies-a number OF heavy washes and
breaks inconsidcrable damages to dams
and masonry.
Many sand.fills between Buchanan and
Lynchhurg.
At Lynchburg, bad break or Daniels
island, and the water-Works' feeder Tiled up
with sand.
Thirteen lock-gates gone above Lynch
burg, though several will be recovered. SIX
Lighthouses gone between LynchburS and
Rope Ferry, and three ut least between
Rope Ferry and Buchanan.
Damages on the North River canal and
at Balcony Falls considerable.
From Lynchburg to Bent Creek-thlrty
milcs-seYeral bad breaks and many small
washes.
From Bent Creek to Tye rircr-tcn
miles-some washes and sand-1ills.
At I've river, the company steam dred&c
and boats reported lost, ana considerable
damage to canal thercabouts.
From I've River to C0lumh!a-Iity-onc
miles-dctails wanting, but damages not
believed to be very great.
At Columbia, and from Columbia to Maid
ems -thirty-three mlcs-a MUM
Der OF washes and breaks, some OF them
! bad.
| From N[aiden's Adventure to Boshcr's
! dam--cirhteen miles-lt is thought there
is no considerable damage.
! From Boshcr's dam to Richmond several
! bad breaks and washes.
At Pedar-twcnty miles above Lynch
burc-tac company's shops and $1,000
| worth oi lumber lost.
| At Lock 40-thirty mile: bclo" Lynch
! burr-all the lumber on hand lost, the shops
safe.
Most of the lock-bridgcs and some farm
| bridges lost throughout the line.
1t is impossible now to form any correct
! idea Of the amount in money Of the damage
| done but it is certain that it will not re-
uuire for repairs near the amount expended
in 1870.
! STEPS TAKEN TOWARDS REPAIRS.
| Between Richmond and RoshcrS dam
there are at work about one hundred ana
twenty-five men. including lilly conYictS.
| These Will move up the line as repairs pro-
| greSS.
Near Joshua Falls dam there are ut work
| about FORTY mon.
On the Lynchburg level there is engaged
force OF fifteen men.
The city OF Lynchburg has about forty
men engaged in opening up the water
works feeder, which force will be increased
by the city.
The break at Daniels island, upon whicl!
depends the water supply for mills and pri-
yatc consumption at LynchburS, will be re-
paired by contract, proposals having been
invited by the President until Monday, De
ccmber Sd. 1t is proposed that the city OF
Lynchburs shall furnish the amount neccS-
sary-cstimatcd ut S10,000-the work to be
com pany officials.
One hundred and fifty-fye convictS, with
managers, guards. teams, and tools, have
been ordered through the country from the
line OF the Buchanan and Clifton-FOrgc
railroad, to arrive i'll Lynchburg December
Sd. These will be put to work below Lynch
burg, to move down the canal rs repairs
progress.
Ninetv-fye convicts. with managers,
guards, teams, and tools, will be ordered
from Clifton Forge by rail to some depot
convenient to the canal between Lynch
burg and Richmond us soon as Superin-
tendent Cosby arrives ut Richmond with
definite information as to the best locality to
he occupied by this force. Or it is probable
that this force will be at once ordered 10
Richmond to swell the working force this
side OF Cedar Point. The first effort will
he to restore navigation between Lynch
burg and Richmond. In the mean time Il
way will he opened up along the tow-path
from Lynchburg to Buchanan and LcXing-
ton, and the bad breaches around the several
guard-locks between those points will be at
once stopped. As soon as possible the work
of general repairs west OF Lynchburg will
be undertaken.
It's hoped that navigation can be restored
between Richmond and Cedar Point by the
18th of December, and between Cedar Point
and Lynchburg before the opening Of the
spring. Much, however, depends upon the
nature OF the winter and upon the moneyed
resources OF the company. 1t is hoped and
expected that the State and the cities Of
Richmond and 1ynchburg will appreciate
the importance OF early canal restoration
and will give substantial and immediate
help.
Other convicts and laborers will be placed
upon the work as rapidly as circumstances
will justify. The delay Of Il few days in
iuauGuratng operations on al enlarged
scale is due to the difficulty in obtaining
definite information as to the locality, ma
tllre, and extent Of the breaks, and to the
fact that all the bridges and boats Oh upper
James river have been swept away.
CONDITION OF TIE BUCHANAN AND CLIFTON
FORGE RAILROAD.
The cOmpany's tools and provisions on
the line were saved On the upper division,
above Craig's creek, no buildings were lost |
On the lower division many OF the build |
ings were swept away, and the stores, pro-
visions, &C., in the lumber-housc at Blu
chanan were lost. This building was seve-
raj feet above the high-water mark Of 1912 |
and since, but was swept away, contrary to |
all expectations. There were no boats at |
Buchanan. else much property could have
been saved.
There are considerable washes and breaks |
in the newly-constructed carthen embank-
ment<, especially on the lower division, but |
much Of the work is intact. The damage to |
the railroad is estimated by one OF the engi-
neers at from SS,000to $4,000. The reno
val OF the working force is necessary to ca
nal repairs, and does not indicate an aban-
donment OF the enterprise. 1t is fortunate.
indeed, that this wel-organized and trained |