Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-07-31
Knter IN the Canal AqaIn.

Water IN the Canal Again..
The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal has
taken a new lease Of life. For the
first time since the memorable flood
of June 1. 1891, the water is running
through the old ditch sufficient to
float boats. For several weeks boats
have been running between Cumber-
land and Williamsport. Last Satur-
day the gates were opened at Dam No.
and the water turned on the levels
above Shepherdstown. The new work
stood the pressure all right, but at the
guard lock at the dam a small piece
Of the old embankment sprung leak
and the water had to be turned off.
1t was only the work Of few hours
to stop the leak, however, and Super
intendent Burgan told the REGISTER
representative that on Tuesday the
water would be turned on again and
the levels filled. The work is practi-
cally finished between Cumberland
and Georgetown, and boats were load
ed at Cumberland on Tuesday to 90
all the way through. OF course, a
great deal of finishing is to be done,
and weak places will develop here
and there along the line. requiring
some additional repairs.
The resumption OF business along
the old waterway is done without the
sounding of trumpets, and in very
quiet way generally. The start is
slow, owing principally TO the lack OF
boats. The old boats are being re-
paired and put in condition as fast as
they arrive at Cumberland, and new
ones are being built. 1t was the gen
eral impression that there would he a
great deal Of trouble in securing stock
to draw the boats Superintendent
n. G. Read says, however, that there
are more applications than there are
boats. Many of the old teamsters
have kept their mules, and want to
return to the tOwpath. The work OF
restoring the canal has been under
the direction of Major II. ID. Whit
comb, the chief engineer, and II. w.
Winship, the general manager, both
of whom have their headquarters at
Georgetown. The principal tonnage
Of the canal will be coal, grain, hay,
lime, cement, &c.
The outlook fora good coal business
is lirst-class. The Is. Il o. Railroad, it
is said, will ship largely over the ca
nal, using it "a welcome relief for
their enormous coal traffic. The West
Virginia Central Company have begun
the building Of n connection between
their road and the canal, and have
said that they will shipa considerable
amount Of coal.
The old canal has had an eventful
history. The true cause OF its hard
luck is accredited by u well-known
Cumberland lady TO uulucky Friday.
1t was begun Friday, July 4, 1928, and
a great many movements III its sub
sequent history were begun on that
unlucky day. In its restoration "A
great deal Of care has been taken to
eliminate Friday. For good luck the
first boat was started out Oh Thurs
day, and the Improvements were be-
gun on lucky day of the week. The
canal has the distinction Of being the
first great work Of its kind in the
United States George Washington
was its first protector. 1t has cost the
State about ten millions Of dollars
The canal is 1874 miles long, and passes
through n great deal of rugged and
picturesque. scenery There are sew
enty-fve locks, each 100 feetin length,
and 10 feet wide They have all been
put in good condition.
A canalboat is 81 feet long, "a feet
wide, and will carry from 112 TO 100
tons of coal. The boats are divided
into compartments. The stern cabin
is the living quarters, and. some of
these cabins are fitted up very hand
somely, as it is the home Of the cap
tain's family. The middle cabin is
called the hay and grub quarters, and
the bow is used as stables for the
mules. The intervening spaces are
for the cargo. Each boat has "A crew
of four men and four or six mules.
Two men-a steersman and driver
and two or three mules make up n
team. They alternate every six hours.
1t requires about nine or ten days to
make the trip from Cumberland to
Georgetown and return.