Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-27
IMPROVING THE WATERWAYS.

FROM Qay 10 uaV IL Is UeiuE Iudue dppdL-
ent that the possibilities of inland water
ways are attracting larger and larger share
of public attention. There are numerous
projects for the improvement of canals and
rivers, for the making of new canals and
for kindred undertakings having the same
end in view. One of the most remarkable
of these is the contemplated improvement
of the Hudson river in its upper portion.
The practical result of this work will be
the Transformation Of Albany and Troy into
sea ports. The special commission, ap-
pointed under the provisions of the river
and harbor bill, will meet TO consider this
project in Albany shortly.
AS things now stand the Hudson is navi-
gable by ocean vessels as far as the city Of
Hudson, twenty-nine miles below Albany,
and by river steamers to Albany and Troy.
The commission has to examine three propo-
sitions and to decide whether it will
be best to make channel twenty
feet deep to Albany, one twenty feet deep
to Troy, or to make the channel IL feet deep
from Albany to Troy. While Albany and
Troy will of course reap the greatest advan-
vantages from being made ocean ports, yet the
whole State of New York, and indeed the coun-
try at large. will be greatly benefited. This
will be understood when it is remembered
that at Troy are the terminI of the Erie and
Champlain canals. The great lakes and the
Atlantic seaboard will be brought into very
close connection, with the result that freight
rates will be reduced and other economies
no less important in transportation will be
effected. This Improvement, important as
it is, does not promise to do as much for the
cities and trades interested as canal from
the Ohio to the lakes would for this region
and the country's commerce. But it is an
encouraging fact that our State and Ma
tional Legislatures are beginning to realize
the advisability of improving our water
ways, or rather to appreciate the popular
demand for these Improvements.
Some late figures as to the amount of
traffic passing through the st. Mary's Canal,
connecting Lakes Superior and Huron, may
be considered here. 1t is shown that the
tonnage is rapidly increasing. In Septem-
Der ], ,277, 100 tons were passed through the
locks, while in October 1,196. 107 tons were
handled. The east-bound tonnage far ex-
ceeds the west-bound. The west-bound
traffic includes for its largest item 2S5. .4O7
tons of coal for September and 302, ,664 for
October. Next in order comes the item OF
miscellaneous grains, amounting to $4,000
and 52, 900 bushels for the respective months.
Under this ambiguous head are doubtless
included large quantities of barley for brew
ing purposes.
East-bound tonnage includes for its largest
item l, ,1s4, 1O5 bushels of wheat in September
and 2, sos, 900 in October; 504, 900 barrels of
-four were also carried in September and
AIS, 600 in October. The Item of iron ore is
next in order, amounting to 6S3, 900 tons for
September and 5S3, 900 for October.
About all of the east-bouud freight origi-
mated at Minneapolis, Duluth and the out
lying commercial centers at the head of the
lake. Notwithstanding the immense tonnage
already moved out from Duluth and Super
ior, it is said that large amount of freight
still remains at these points awaiting water
shipment to the East. And the interesting
side of this showing for Us is that with a
canal connecting the Ohio and the lakes this
| freight can be brought to Pirtsburg by
water.