The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-30
THE CANAL.
A Statement of the Damages to It by
the Freshet.

THE LOSSES VERY CONSIDERABLE, BUT
NOT NEAR SO LARGE AS IN 1e70-THE
PREPARATIONS MADE TO REPAIR THE
BREAKs-AID FROM LYNCHBURG AND
RICHMOND EXPECTED-CONDITION OF
THE BUCHANAN AND CLIFTON-FoRGE
RAILWAY COMPANY. -.
Major John W. Johnston, president OF
the James River and Kanawha Canal Com
pany. arrived here from LyDchburg yester-
day evening, and in response to request
for statement OF the damages to the canal,
the preparations being made for the re-
sumption OF navigation, and the condition
OF the Buchanan and Clifton-Forge railway,
gave the following: r..,'.....t.! ;. .s.s
Full details have not yet been, received
from certain parts OF the line. tan.
From Buchanan to North river-twenty-
two ,miles-the damages are considerable.
Many washes and some injury to dams and
stone structures. .-r'--.a
From North river to Rope Ferry-six
miles-several bad washes and breaks.
From Rope Ferry to Lynchburg-t twenty
two miles-a number OF heavy washes and
breaks inconsiderable damages TO dams
and masonry.
Many sand-fills between Buchanan and
Lynchburg.
At LynchburS, bad break on Daniels
island, and the water-worl1s' feeder filled up
with sand.
Thirteen lock-gates gone above Lynch
burg, though several will be recovered. Six
lock houses gone between Lynchburg and
Rome Ferry, and three at least between
Rope Ferry and Buchanan.
! Damages on the North River canal and
at Balcony Falls considerable. .
From Lynchburg to Bent Creck-thirty
miles-seyeral bad breaks and many small
washes.
From Bent Creek to Tye river-ten
MILESTONE washes and sand-tlls.
At Tye river, the company's steam dredge
and boats reported lost, and considerable
damage to canal thereaboutS.
From Tye River to Columbia-fity-one
miles-details wanting, but damages not
believed to be very great.
At Columbia, and from Columbia to Maid
ems Acknowledgment miles-a num-
Der OF washes and breaks, some OF them
bad.
From Maiden'S Adventure to Bosher's
dam-cighteen miles-lt is thought there
is no considerable damage.
From Boshcr's dam to Richmond several
bad breaks and washes.
At Pedlar-twenty miles above Lynch
! burg-tJe company's shops and S2,000
worth Of lumber lost.
At Lock 4O-thirty miles below Lynch
| bur~-all the lumber on hand lost, the shops
safe.
Most of the lock-bridges 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-
quire for repairs near the amount expended
| in 1870.
STEPS TAKEN TOWARDS REPAIRS.
Between Richmond and Bosher's dam
| there arc at work about one hundred and
twenty-five men, including fifty convicts.
These Will move UP the line as repairs pro-
| greSs. ~. t'
Near Joshua Falls dam there are at work
about forty men.
On the Lvnchburg level there is engaged
a 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 which
depends the water supply for mills and pri-
yate consumption at Lynchburg, will be re-
| paired by contract, proposals having been
| invited by the President until Monday. De-
cember 3D. 1t is proposed that the city OF
Lynchburg shall furnish the amount neceS-
sary-estimated at $10,000-the work to be
done. however, under the direction OF the
company ottlclals.
One hundred and titty-five convictS, with
managers. guards, teams, and tools, have
been ordered through the country from the
line OF the Buchanan and Clifton Forge
railroad, to arrive in Lynchburg December
Cd. These will be put to work below Lynch
burg, to move down the canal as repairs
progress. .-..,
| Ninety-five conyicts, 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 as soon as Superln-
tendent Cosby arrives at Richmond with
definite information as to the best locality to
be occupied by this force. Or it is probable
| that this force will be at once ordered to
Richmond to swell the working force TINS ms
side of Cedar Point. The first effort Will
he TO restore navigation between Lynch
burg and Richmond. In the mean time a
wav will be opened up along the tow-path
from Lvnchburg to Buchanan and LeXing-
ton. and the bad breaches around the several
guard-locks between those points will be at
once stopped. AS soon rs possible the work
of general repairs west OF Lynchburg Will
be undertaken.
1t is 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 or the
spring. Much, however, depends upon the
nature OF the winter and upon the moneycd
resources of the company. It is hoped and
expected that the State and the cities OF
Richmond and Lynchburg will appreciate
the importance of early canal restoration
and will give substantial and immediate
help.
Other conyicts and laborers will be placed
upon the work as rapidly as circumstances
will justify. The delay Of few days in
Iinaugurating operations on an enlarged
scale is due to the difficulty in obtaining
definite information as to the locality, na
ture, and extent Of the breaks, and to the
fact that all the bridges and boats on upper
James river have been swept away.
CONDITION OF THE BUCHANAN AND CLIFTON.
FORGE RAILROAD.
The company's tools and provisions or
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-house at Bu'
chanan were lost. This building was seve.
raj feet above the high-water mark of 1S42
and since, but was swept away, contrary to
all expectations. There were no boats al
Buchanan, else much property could have
been saved.
There are considerable washes and breaks
in the newly-constructed earthen embank.