Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-03
FOR A GREAT CANAL
Plans for an Inland water-wsy--How 10
Would Reach Delaware.


Saturdays Philadelphia Record prints the
following: -Land-locked navigation from
Long Island sound to the Mississippi river
Is occupying the attention of the Engf-
neers' Club, and yesterday afternoon q
committee considered the subject of COM
municating with the boards of trade of all
the Atlantic coast cities with the view of
joining in memorializing Congress to ap-
propriate money to make q complete sur
vey, and so arrive at some definite idea re-
garding the exact route and the probable
cost of the enterprise.
In April last paper, prepared by Cap
tain Spencer @. McGorkle Of the United
States coast and Geodetic survey, was read
before the Philadelphia Engineers Club,in
which the general plan and route was dis
cussed. This was followed by another
paper early in October, read by John c.
Trautwine. Jr., and prepared from data
furnished by Captain McCorkle, giving tho
Charleston, $. O., in detail and another
paper will follow shortly, discussing the
route south of Charleston.
At the October meeting n committee,
consisting of Captain McCorkle, Rudolph
Herring, ]. Foster Crowell, of New York;
Professor L. NJ. Haupt, of the University
of Pennsylvania, and Lieutenant William
Swift, of the United States navy, was mp
pointed, and it was this committee which
met yesterday afternoon. The various
boards of trade will at once be coinmu-
nicated with, and it is thought they will
all unite in memorializing Congress.
PRESIDENT GRANT FAVORED 1T.
Captain McCorkle's idea, and it had been
indorsed by many eminent engineers who
have, given the matter careful and earnest
consideration, is that nature has provided
series of inlets, bays and sounds along
the Atlantic coast, which should be utilized
for land-locked navigation. General
Grant favored the plan, and in support of
it said thatl such route along our coast
would be of great value at all times, and
of inestimable value in case of foreign
war;" and that mature has provided the
greater part of this route, and the obstacles
to be overcome are easily within the skill
of the engineers"
This land-locked route would be for
light draft vessels and would be especially
valuable for local trade between coastwise
cities. In case of war this route would af-
ford means of communication between
the coast cities and the carrying of sup
plies, and at the same time American ves-
sells would have an advantage in firing
from still water-many of the inlets hay
ing deep water-while the enerny'n vessel
would be in the open sea.
WHAT THE ROUTE IS.
Briefly outlined, the route from New
York city to Charleston would pass
river to New Brunswick, N. j.; through
the Raritan and Delaware canal to Borden
town, N. j.; down the Delaware river to
Delaware City; through the Delaware and
Chesapeake canal to Chesapeake bay;
down this bay to Norfolk, Va; from Ports
mouth (opposite Norfolk) mp Southern
river and through the Albemarle and
Chesapeake canal, North Landing river,
Currituck sound, short canal and the
North river into Albemarle and Pamlico
sounds; and thence through Core sound to
Beaufort and Moorehead City, N. c.; thence
by sheltered inlets, on which some work
would be required, to Cape Fear river,
N. e.; and from this point by a series of
streams and bays and sheltered inlets aided
by canals, existing and contemplated, to
Charleston, s. q.
Captain McCorllle is the prime mover
in this matter and the Engineers Club iq
giving hearty support, but it is believed
that Congress will be more inclined to
look with favor upon, the, project if it is
backed by the poosls alonS the entire
Atlantic coast