The age-herald., 1897-08-21
CANAL ID WARRIOR RIVER
Government Engineer Is Making
 Preliminary Observations
OF THE PROPOSED ROUTE
Tfe Regular Surveying Corps Authorized By the Extra Session of Congress Will
 Begin Operations September 1.

Joseph Ripley, an assistant in the United States engineering corps, arriv in Birmingham al an early hour yester- day morning. MT. Ripley's mission is 10 make a preliminary -reconnoisance of the route which the proposed canal connect ing this city ard the Warrior river is ex- pected to traverse. Accompanied by J. Rivers Carter, the government engineer, he left yesterday afternoon over the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railway com- panys line for Five Mile crezk from which point the preliminary observation will begin. Beginning at Lock No. 13 of the Warrior river, near the mouth of Val ley creek, and coming in the direction of Birmingham the line of the proposed canal lays along Valley creek to Bes- semer. and thence up Possum valley to Five Mile creek The canal will be fed by the three water courses, and will be something like forty miles in lene th One of the duties of the government en- gineer will be to make soundings along the route in order to find basin that will hold water. He has only limited time to complete this task. He will return to the city tonight and leave in the morning for Mississippi Engineer Ripley is a member of the corps of which Maj Res sell is chief and has headquarters at Mo bile The present reconnaissance is a pre- liminary to the regular survey that will begin the first of September MT. Riplsy will make his report and the engineering corps will then be organized.
 The scheme to connect Birmingham with tide water first originated in the mind of J. A. VanEIoose, who was former ly mayor of the city. Through the dis trict's representative in congress an ap- proprfation of $150 was secured for the first official investigation. Maj. Rossell made the investigation and reported fa- vorably. The matter was again agtated at the extra session and an appropriation of $2O,0O was made for a survey. This survey will be thorough, and upon the report made by the engineers in charge will hang the fate of the canal.
 The value of this canal to Birmingham would be of incalculable benefit. An other avanue by which to send her pro- ducts to the markets of the world would be opened It would give the city the benefit of lower freight rates, as it would bring another competitor in the field. There are many obstacles to be over- come md the work of construction will consume millions of dolltrs. When the first appropriation is made and the mat ter definitely settled, it must be remem- bered that the government is slow in it's work. Much improvement must be made i'll Warrior river before a canal will be practicable.
 The engineers making the survey will report on the feasibility A the scheme and furnish congress with the estimate of the cost. If the report is favorable the appropriation to begin work win be made. If this survey is begun Sept. it will be completed in time for a. report to be ma de at the regular session converting in De- cember. With energetic work by the Ala bama representatives the matter should be settled before adjournment
 Representative Underwood is enthu- siastic on the subject. T am glad to see the work progressing" said he, land I hope the survey will be satisfactory"
 Representative Bankhead has just gone to Washington to join the rivers and harbors committee. He has frequ ntly declared his views oh the question. and in an interview after his return from the extra session, announced that he would aid the project in every way possible.
 DOES NOT WANT TO GO BACK.