The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-08-27
A SHIP CANAL PROJECT.

party, Win view 10 lis enlargement a.
ship canal but want OF space thcr
obviated our presenting a fuller motto,
OF the project. The following additions
particulars relative TO it, will be o
ingert st TO our readers.
1t is proposed to enlarge the canal &c
1870 feet at tho top to 30 feet at the
bottom, and 10 give it i mean depth OF
q feet, thus making it ono OF the larg
est ship canals in tho world. l. is also
proposed to abolish The summit level
entirely, making il IL tide level canal,
with but one Cbstructi0n-a tidal lock
at Delaware city 600 feet long, 70 feet
vide and y feet deep. Two enlarge the
canal to these dimensions would require
a cut 43 feet deep from the surface along
the summit level for nine miles, and
from ST. Georges to Delaware City a
cut OF 80 fees. This would lower the
surface OF the canal below the land on
either side, she surface now being six
| feet above, and would drain the Land,
bringing it into use for farming pur-
poses.
lu 1888, when the agitation of a ship
canal across the Maryland Della ware
peninsula was at IFS height, United States
engineers surveyed the route aad made
al estimate for a ship canal 100 feet
wide az the bottom, ~ feet draught,
| with slope of two thirds
Ia Professor Haupt's opinion narrow
or channel would cost much less and
fulfill all requirements for years to come,
ard he makes au estimate for improving
the canal to bottom width of fifty ieet,
u feet draught, 131 feet top width, with
the one tidal lock, as follows: Dredging,
O,OS1 500, at 10 cents s1,512 259, aux
iliaries s63l 800, contingencies $214, 80
total, S2,358, 1876.
I le canal so improved would give a
route from Baltimore to Philadelphia 112
miles long. The route around the PENN
sula nov being 422 miles, this would be a
saving OF 80 miles each way. This, in
Professor Haupts opinion, would be an
| enormous advantage to Baltimore, giving
short outlet to he sea- for the cty's
| immense grain trade. Baltimore, in his
opinion, occupies the strategic point on
the Atlantic Geaboard, being tho nearest
TO the Sci. OF any OF the large cities, and
| having about thirty five States tributary
| to it.
The revenue TO the canal" said Pro-
! fessGr Haupt, would be that resulting
| from nearly the entire foreign commerce
OF Baltimore, as we'll IS 4 large part of
the c3astwise trade between Baltimore,
PhiIadelphia, New York and Boston.
| Between Baltimore and the sea there
would bs saved about 100 miles each
way, or $50 miles for the round trip
As the cost o! movement for 5000 ton
vessel is about $500 per day, if it's dis
| lance covered is 100 miles in twenty TOUR
| hours, then tl3 cost Of tow mile
| is but four teuths of mill. or about one
| tenth of the lowest railroad rates. Hence
it is beyond railroad competition aud if
such freight boat can save $50 miles, or
thirty six hours Of time, it can readily
afford TO pay at least 10 cents each way
! upon its gross tonnage, For coastwise
traffic between Philadelphia and Balti-
more the distance saved by the canal
would be 10 miles each way, while the
rates on the lighter draft steam vessels
| is higher, hence if tho schedule rate
were 20 cents per trip per tor, which IS
| lower than the present charges, it would
stlmu late this commerce and increase
the Income OF the ANAL. The existing
commerce of the Delaware river and
| Chesapeake bay exceeds 1000, 600 tons.
II only 5000 600 tous-less than 20 per
confused the canal on an average rate
OF 10 cents, is would produce $15G, 900,
or 30 per cent. on the So, 500 600 required
to enlarge the channel. On the total
| capital, including the present indebted
ness Of 81 900, 900, it would pay not less
than 70 per cent, insead of 3 per cent.
oa 81. 600, 900, as ct present.
The canal SO improved would prove
Of great value to the government in the
event of war, and conld be made to form
IA pact Of general internal waterway
system exceeding from Cape Cod to
| Florida. A bill has already passed the
| United States Senate and will probably
be passed b.. tho House in Deoon,bel
appropriaiiog $25, 600 for a survey of the
| Delaware and Raritan canal, which con-
meets the Delaware with the Raritau
river, with 2 Wow of making it a ship
canal. This canal was leased years age
by the Pennsylvania Railroad for 999
years. 1t then had Il tonnage of s., 900,
GOO and in one year netteG $3.50, 00C
profits. It's tonnage, Or the greater part
of it, has been transferred TO the railroad
it now having not mere than 800. 600
Tue railroad guaranteed 10 per cent, on
its cost of So, $50 600, and is now paying
$3.50, 600 per anuum for the privilege O
controlling tho traffic. This canal could
be acquired by the government under it!
right OF eminent domain for defensive
purposes, aud by making it . ship Cana
could connect League Island witt
| New York harbor, and with thu
Chesapeake and Delaware also made :
ship canal. there would be an interior
waterway from Norfolk to New York al
ipcaIculable advantage TO this country il
time of war.
"The Chesapeake and Delaware can a
is not now paying any thing on its common
stock and scrip, which amounts to 81, sos
2Ss, but it is paying five per cent on it
mortgage loan Of So, COZ. $50. These bond
are 500 par, but are selling for $50, thu
making it a good paying investment
Tie canal has now tonnage OF 100, COO.
The company was Incorporated by thu
Mary land Legislature in 1893. Wor
was begun in May, 1904. and after grea
, difficulties tho canal was INFORMAL
opened on July /, 1929. IN September
1899, barges were allowed to pass throug
regularly, and on October H. 1929 til
c.nal was formally opened with imposin
ceremonies. Its best busieess is fror
the Ericsson Steamboat Line betwee
Baltimore aud Philadelphia and the pro
pellers of the New York and Baltimor
Transportation Company.
THE WILMlNGTON OPERA
HOUSE.
Notable Improv smcnts. List of Attraction