The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-04
LOCKS FOR THELAKES
government Engineers Report
on the Seattle Canal.
SALMON BAY OR SMITHS covE9
Dinerence in Cost and Advantages of
the Two Routes-One Would
Flood Part of Ballard.

WASHINGTON CRY, Jan. 26.-(Speclal. y
Inc report OF the government engineers
upon the location and cost of the proposed
snip canal 10 connect Lake Union, Samam-
Ism ana Washington with Puget sound,
made In compliance with the act of Sep
TENDER -, 1890, is an interesting docu-
ment. 1t has been before the committee
on rivers and harbors for the past three
weeks, and its early consideration is looked
Tor In submitting this report to Acting
Secretary of War Grant, Chief Engineer
Casey, under date of December 80. 1891,
says:
have the honor TO submit herewith report
dated September u, 1891, with map, upon Ioca-
ton and estimate OF cost of a ship canal 70
connect Lakes Union, Samamish and Washing
ton with Puget sound, Washington, made by
the board OF engineers constituted in eompli-
ance with provisions of river and harbor act
approved September 10. 1890
canal connecting Lakes Samamish and
washington, with lock near Lake Washing
ton to overcome the difference-105 feet-in
the level OF the two lakes, is estimated to cost
1922
The proposed route and project for a canal
connecting Lake Washington and Puget sound
Sp-AeeHilaACcS constructing Canal z,6UJ ieSt
long, eighty feet wide at the bottom and l5S
feet wide at the water line, and twenty-six feet
deep through the portage between Union bay, in
Lake Washington, and Lake Union, with q
masonry lock 400 feet long, fifty feet wide,
tweuty-six feet over sill. and with a
hit OF about rs feet: dredging channels
10 connect this canal with sdeep water
IN Lake Washington, and across Lake Union
and constructing canal 500 feet long, so feet
WIDE at The bottom and ..pt ida mt he
ter line, and 70 feet deep, connecting Lake MON
along its outlet with the head of Salmon bay.
From the head OF Salmon bay to Puget sound
two routes are considered by the board, one by
way OF Salmon bay and Shilshole bay, with lock
near the Sound 400 feet long, 50 feet wide and
loo feet deep over sill at low tide; the
other by way of smith cove and a canal 50
feet wide at bottom, l5S feet wide at water line
and 20 feet deep, TO be constructed across the
neck OF land between the head of Salmon bay
and Smith cove, with a lock near the Sound,
Similar To that projected to Shilshole bay. The
construction of a basin and formation OF a
channel through the shoals at the outlet of the
lock are also contemplated The estimated cost
OF the proposed canal between Lake Washing
ton and Puget sound by the two routes, not in
Guiding damages for lands submerged, is as
follows:
smlth cove route ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3,500,00
shiishole bay route. .......-.......... 10000
Concerning the comparative advantages
oil the two routes, the board states:
The shiisbole bay system costs 100000 less
than that by smith cove. On the other hand,
the latter route possesses advantages in that it's
entrance is in the harbor OF Seattle, whereas the
entrance to the other is five and One-haif miles
distant; and secondly, the Smith cove en-
fFsHse ana lock are less exposed to lombard
meat by an enerny's feet For these reasons the
Emit hig 10 no
The engineers report is dated Portland,
Or, December Is, 1891 and is addressed to
Chief Engineer Casey. In substance it is
as follows:
The board appointed under the act of congress
OF September 10, 1891, to select and survey the
most feasible location and TO estimate the ex-
pense of construction of a ship canal to connect
Lakes Union, Washington and Samamish with
the waters of Puget sound, having completed
that duty, has the honor to submit the follow
ing report:
The board visited Seattle and carefully exam
ined the vicinity OF all the feasible routes for
the prescribed canal, and determined the char
aeter and extent of surveys and Investigations
which would be required for complete under
standing and discussion of the problem in
Volved.
public meeting was held at the rooms OF the
Seattle Chamber OF Commerce, at which citizens
and other interested parties expressed orally
their views upon the canal and its various fea-
lures.
Written communications received by the
board appear appendices to the report
The board designated Captain Thomas ".
Symons discussing officer aud as executive
IN charge of the surveys and preparation of the
plans.
The services of Mr., Philip q. Eastwiek, civil
engineer. were secured, and he was placed in
charge of the surveys, with headquarters at
Fremont, a suburb OF Seattle. Mr.. Eastwiek's
report is herewith presented.
Accompanying this report is general map
Upon scale OF one inch to one and one-half
miles, showing the vicinity OF Seattle, with
Lakes Union, Washington and Samarnish in
their relation to Puget sound. Upon the same
sheet is n map il Illustrating III greater detail the
canal survey from Puget sound 10 Lake Wash
ington, upon scale OF one inch TO 40 feet, and
longitudinal profles and cross sections along
the selected canal routes.