The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-09-29
| A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR,
Citizens Of Chesapeake City Welcome
Lieut.. Geo. W. Melville, the Fam
GUS Arctic Explorer. and
TOAST PRESIDENT w. T. MASTER
OF the Columbian Iron Works,
as the Next Governor
of Maryland.

GsiSlCi, ACeloCiV VI wv >S't-'hA Si''-
Iron Works of Baltimore, by the citizens
of Chesapeake City on Thursday of last
week, on the occasion of his visit there,
accompanied by Lieut.. Melville, the
famous Arctic explorer and 4 company
of friends. AS cur readers arc aware,
the attention of the General Government
bility of our inland canals along the A.
lautic coast in the event of war with q
foreign nation. To afford Lieut.. htel,
vile, who is assigned to special duty al
Washington as Engineer IN Chief OF the
Navy Department, an opportunity, &c
personally inspect the Delaware ard
Chesapeake canal, Captain Master had
invited him and number of friends to
be his guests on the Steamer Canton,
Capt. Levin Colinsop, for a trip from
Baltimore to Philadelphia. The party
which left Baltimore at o'clock q. M,
on Wednesday. consisted of Lieut.. Mel
vile, Mr.. j. r. Cunning of the New York
Law Firm OF Vanderpool, Gaming &
Goodwin; hr. A. l.. Huggiue, BALTIC.
agent of the Merchants and Miners
Transportation Co., Frank X. Carey, OF
the Baltimore Bar, Col. John Bond Of
Baltimore. and II. r. Torbert OF the
WING. Ga arriving at Chesapeake City
at noon, the party was joined by Mr..
Thos. j. Cieaver, Collector Of Tie Canal
Company at Chesapeake City, and Nj.
Joseph Il. Steele. The trip up the bay
easterly storm, which confined the party
to the aloon of the Canton, but which
had abated when Delaware City was
reached, where the party was met by
Super intcndent ]. Fletcher Price, Mr.
Jefferson and other gentlemen.
When the swift little steamer bathed
her PROV in the broad waters OF the
Delaware, the storm clouds had passed,
and delightful run to Philadelphia was
Ii ade.
Re-smosrlliug at s O'Clock, d. m, on
Thursday, ag bright and breezy u morn
ing awaited the voyaGers as the most
ardent yachtsman could wish. A brisk
south wester, fresh from the Atlantic's
broad expause, and ladened with the
saline breath of health aud vigor, spread
every flag and penuant square TO its staff.
The thoughtful hospitality of the hest,
had supplied the laIder of tho Canton,
with every tempting viauG 10 the full
enjoy meut OF which at breakfast, the
invigorating morning breeze gave keener
Zest
The return trip through the canal was
a genuine pleasure, to the enjoyment OF
which the intelligence and information
of Collector Cleaver measurably contri-
buted. Every beauty of the rich farm
ing country through which the canal
passes was pointed out by this oblig!ng
cioeroue. The deep cut at Gummit
Bridge and its surrounding scenery, the
story Of John Randall ami ais famous
suit against the CInal Company, his
subsequent land investments and failure
at Randalia were all timely subjects al
once instructive and entertaining. From
1929 the year in which The canal was
completed to 1879 a period of "A years
the prosperous business OF the cana
company had only experienced the
ordinary casualties .. storm and
flood. In thu latter yea" however
cioud burst OF unusual severity, puureG
destructive deluga up1a the canal neal
St. Georges. Through Two crnvssse.
about so yards apart, She whole volume
OF water in its entire length was poured
out upon tie surrounding moadow
which like the sugar lands of Louisiana
always subject to the overflow of thu
Mississippi, lay far below the surface o
the canal. Through the greater crevas'
200 feet wide, roared and tumbled the
troubled waters, carrying with them oil
it's Niagara like current, 20 helpless yes
sells of various descriptions Although
no lives were sacrificed, the floot
occurring az night, the loss va
severe to the Company. Many amusin,
Incidents occurred. Iu the cabin of
canal boat calmly floating upon thu
usually still surface of the canal, two
Irishmen were asleep when the clou
| burst fell. Their barge plunged head
long down the orevass, neither of the me
being aroused. and spinning round All
round like teetotum, their boat finall
brought up in a wide ditch that ra
parallel under the canal bank. Suddenl
ionway only 20 see himself suIrouude
by corn fields, when alarmed by hi
strange surroundings no cried TO hi
companion "Bs Jasus, Captain where AZ
we anyway" "Dfop your anchor 80
spalpeen'' responded the captain, an
securely stuck in the mud both me
turned in again.
The damage done to the canal bank
occupied a month to repair. After th
crevcsses were filleG, the colossal watt
lift wheel at Chesapea k City VIZ
started OH Sunday morning ard on Ii
the following Tuesday week a inca
depth of Gi feet OF water again covere
the canal bottom, It's entire length OF
miles from Chesapeake City to st. George
The steam lifting wheel at Chesapeal
City which rendered such effective Sc
vice in 1878, is turned By two immens
walking beam engines such as can :
s4en usually on large river steam beat
The water is not pumped, but raised
buckets around tha periphery of I'll
wheel, the maximum capacity of Il
wheel being 165 tons of water minut
Upon the arrival of the party at Chss
peske City the steam wheel and eugin
were inspected by Lieut.. Melville, f
gineer Powell enjoying the social call
his distinguished visitor.
As the Canton passed through 81
lock at Chesapeake City she was sslut'
by volley OF guns from, the steam II
Gen'l Wistar, Gu which were embark
, a large company OF ladies and citizens
the town, and with flags flying the WI
tar conveyed the Canton down the Ches
} peake waters. When the open river "
: reached both vessels l.y to, and Cap
Master rendered the hospisaijSies OF /
, vessel to his kindly visitors. The !adi
I composing the party were gallant
shown to the saloon of the Caution Whe