New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-03
THE DELAWARE SNIP CANAL.

JOINING CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE BAYS-AD-
VANTAGEs CLAIMED FOR THE PROPOSED ROUTE
FOR SHIPS FROM BALTIMORE TO THIS CITY AND
EUROPE.
A company styled the Maryland and Della
ware Ship Canal Company with Horace b. Tebbetts Of
this city, president organized several years ago.
1t was chartered by the State Of Maryland in 1872 and
by Delaware in 1873. The object OF the com
pany was to connect the Chesapeake and Del
aware Bays by the construction Of ship
canal without locks, by way Of the sassafras
River. The canal to be seventeen miles in length,
twenty-five feet in depth and 100 feet wde proportions
equal TO the Canal and capable of admitting the
largest ships II intended 70 shorten the water
route from Baltimore to New-York and Europe 225
miles, since the distance from Baltimore TO this city by
the Chesapeake Bay lie 475 miles while by the ship canal
and Delaware Bay, it would be only $50.
The project due 70 Mr.. Tebbets, who assoc-
ated In the scheme for laying the Atlantic Cable. lie
declares that the canal will be constructed in
short time. The charters granted to the company
perpetual and authorize II TO charge rate OF toll not
exceeding 20 cents ton The estimate for completing
the canal is 900 0OO and is claimed that the present
commerce of Baltimore would give to the canal
when completed traffic of 100000 year. which will
pay the interest the bonds and good percentage to
stockholders Moreover, unlike railroad, the canal
will require only small proportion Of its capital for
work and repairs. To further support the feasibility Of
the undertaking. MI AeDDetJs cites the onclh report OF
July 49, of Collector Thomas Of Baltimore, the CON-
merce OF that city the fiscal year ending June 80
1878 II shows that the value OF imported
merchandise both free and dutabe, was nearly 49,
600 OOO while the value OF exported merchandise OF
domestic growth and manufacture more than
S45,OOO,OO0. The report shows that the total
tonnage Of foreign and eoastwse vessels entering and
leaving the harbOr during the year was 42S5276 tons
II Ia Thought by those interested that threeOurths OF this
tonnage each way would take advantage OF the canal
The saving NewYOrk shippers 1t Is estimated will
be very great particularly with regard to COAL on which
the saving placed at fifty cents ton or 100000
year. Of the principal features will be the great
advant age acquired by the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road which If the canal is constructed will be able TO
compete more successfully with the Pennsylvania and
New-York Central Railroads, aud the consequent re-
ductjon of 40 least one bushel in grain freghts
Among the other advantages Of the proposed canal
given by those interested IN its construction Is that
will always be open 10 navigation, while the Lake routes
t and from the West and the Erie Canal closed with
ice for five months during the year Vessels, IL rs SAID
viii I've able 10 make three voyages between Baltimore
and New-YOrk in the lime which Is now Necessary
for two and that the former place mas become inc
depot OF a business from the South ana west ths
economy In transportation will be greatly to the interests
~ moth iroducerR and The route Will also
be much safer it will avoid the dangerous necessity OF
g'he CIV OF Baltimore has been authorized by the
MARYLAND Legislature TO subscribe for 100000 OF the
companys stock. The proposed route has been deter
mined the estimates have all been made and tine ground
has been surveyed although another survey wiz De
made by Government engineer before the Dill 10 IN
dOrse the cOmpany's bonds is taken up az tne
next session OF Congress This Dill, which was REFERRED
20 Tie Committee Railroads and Canals ut tue last
session. provides for the Enforcement OI inc company
bonds Amounting 10 81 600 000 and secures 20 all yes
sells III United States service Tor all tne the rgnt OF
navigation through the canal free OF tolls and charges
% 1annpers az the enterprise state that even should
the bill fail 20 pass they are confident OF pehe hge
an early date 70 prosecute the enterprise with private