The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-02-23
DISMAL SWAMP CANAL
One Of the Oldest Artificial Waterways In
the United States.
WAS PLANNED BY GEORGE WASHINGTON
1e Ii Row BEING Enlarged, Deep
ened and Restored for Modern aIse
Ten Feet Deep-Will be Finisheta
Within Twelve MOnfhs-Immcnse
Territory Drained.

The New York Times of Sunday prints
under q Baltimore date line of February
20 column article upon Dismal Swami
Canal improvements. Following is the
text with proper credit given:
capitalists of this city are engaged
In an enterprise which it is expected
will have a marked effect upon trans
Portation between the North and the
SCUM. Inc scheme contenlplates a gen
eral enlargement of the Dismal Swamp
Canal. and the restoration OF tina, an
eaens waterway to something like its
FORMER Importance as a means Of bring
Ing freight from the Carolina rivers to
Norfolk or into Chesapeake Bay.
ne modern canal is no longer con-
tracted and shallow channel flanked BY
towpath, on which draught animals
pull boats of light draught and limited
tonnage. On the contrary, it is broad
ana deep, and Of sufficient capacity to
noat heavy barges towed by steam
tugs, or TO accommodate river steamers
carrying both passengers and freight
TO all intents and purposes the canal
IS an artificial river, differing from the
natural water course chiefly in being
provided with locks to control currents
and maintain the proper level Conse-
quently, in the rehabilitation Of the
Dismal Swamp Canal. the towpath will
vanish. the width and depth will be
greatly increased, and a passage for all
shipping drawing less than ten feet of
water will be provided between Chesa-
peake Bay ana Albemar!e Sound.
The first steps in this enterprise were
taken about three years ago, when the
property was acquired under foreclosure
proceedings. About the same time the
Lake Drummond Canal and Water COM
pany, taking its name from the big lake
IN the middle OF the Disma! Swamp, was
organized to promote the enterprise 4
syndicate, formed in 1895 by Alexander
Brown & Sons of Baltimore bankers,
composed of capitalists OF Baltimore.
Philadelphia and Norfolk, took up
900 In construction and equip
ment bonds to provide funds for the
improvement BY the terms OF the cor
poration charter, the company is en-
powered not only TO construct and main
tain ship canal. but to use or sell the
water Of Lake Drummond and the tri-
butary creeks for any purpose
PLANNED BY WASHINGTON.
The Dismal Swamp Canal is one Of
the Oldest artificial waterways in the
United States. 1t was planned by
George Washington, and was chartered
by the Legislature Of Virginia and North
Carolina in 17SI-110 years ago The
charter powers Of the original company
are such as no Legislature would now
grant, the franchise and privileges being
perpetual and irrcvocable. Ten years
was allowed for the construction, but
in 1916. The need Of an inland route Of
communication was seriously felt by the
United States Government during the
blockade Of the Southern ports in 1914,
and Congress appropriated S25O0OO for
the completion Of the canal.
1T was opened for traffic In 1924 and
almost imm ediately became q paying in
stitution. From 1910 to the breaking out
OF the civil war it was the principal in
land route for transports ton betw cen
- N Tr,1 t. Nos \
dividend Of per cent. on a capitaliza-
tion of $4S4 900. But at the beginning
Of the war transportation ceased and
after the capture of Roanoke Island in
1862 Gen. Henry A. Wise, who made his
escape through the Dismal Swamp
Canal. demolished three Of its locks to
head off pursuit. 1t was then seized by
the Government, partially repaired. and
used for transport purposes. In 1865 the
property was returned to Its owners in
a dilaD!dated condition, and has been
practically morihund ever since.
Some years after the war Gen. b. j..
Butler and certain New England capt.
talists conceived The idea OF purchasing
the canal property and building a rail-
road on the towpath. But the engineers
sent out to make the preliminary sur
vey came back with an unfavorable re-
port. and the scheme was abandoned.
There has been talk in Congress Of en-
larging this canal, and Of making 1t q
ptItl u the lnlerCOaSlal waterway from
Boston to New Orleans. This ambitious
scheme probably had Its origin In the
brain Of John c. Calhoun, and that
statesman was its chief advocate for
many years. But the micronesia canal
Is still an unaccompished dream Of
naval officers and members Of Congress
who delight In extraordinary modes Of
spending the public revenues"
THE WORK OF CONSTRUCTION.
In March. 1896. the work Of construc-
ton was placed In the hands OF a Phila-
delphia firm Of contractors Operations
were begun upon the locks and terminals
OF the canal. and machinery placed upon
the summit level With which to begin
the excavation. Preliminary construc-
ton In the way Of diverting the chan
nels Of creeks near the northern terml-
nal has been finished. and the lock at
that point Is well under way BY the
terms Of the contract. the work Is to
be completed and the canal made ready
for traffic January 23d, 1895
The Dismal Swamp canal starts al. the
head Of navigation in Deep Creek, a
tributary OF the Elizabeth river. six
miles south Of Norfolk, Va. It runs
CONTINUED ON Eighth Page).