New-York tribune., 1898-12-25

much as they expect during the cold weather.
hut when spring arrives. with the magnificent
plant which Ia already on the ground. there
should be no practical difnculty in the way Of
an early completion. The efforts of Colling
wood Schreiber. Chief Engineer Of the Depart
ment. have tended to insure an earlier compile
tion. as he has devoted a great deal Of time and
attention 10 the subject. and visited the locality
on several occasions As "a the material used
and the character OF the work. there can be
no question. Both will bear favorable compar-
son with similar work In any part Of The world.
Toward the upper end ~ the canal the cut has
been deepest but the lower sections are
reached the material taken from the prism has
been employed 70 build up banks. These are
supported on either side Of the canal along its
entire length by rp-rap and sodding. both cal
culated to enhance permanency and TO prevent
erosion. For mors than ten miles the canal fol-
lows q perfectly straight line. There but
two curves. being OF such proportions az will
make accidents impossible where ordinary care
is exercised Alongside the bank .s TO run a
well -macadamized road.
The motive power n he employed on the sev-
eral lifts will he supplied from electrical
plant The power-house is situated about five
miles down from Co.eau and in addition VIII
supply current OF electricity for lighting pur-
poses which will enable the canal TO be operated
at night with perfect safety. greatly facilitating
the handling Of business during the buster part
Of the season.
II should he mentioned that crossing the route
OF the new canal three small streams known
as the Rouge. the Delisle and the A Ia Graisse.
The water from these streams. which empties
into the st. Lawrence is conveyed underneath
the bed of the canal by means Of large pipes
Oh
IS counted on by the experimenting engineer
to give most perfect satisfaction
BRIDGES OF NEW DESIGN.
There are in all FIVE traffic bridges crossing
the route These are constructed on a somewhat I
novel design. They necessarily include revov-
ing span. hut instead of the central pier being
in the middle Of the canal to interfere with navi-
CATION il is situated in a line with the hank.
The swing. when open. clears the whole chan
mel. thus removing all impedlment to naviga-
ton and forming a distinct improvement over
the systems in vogue on the other Canadian
canals
or the Beauharnols Canal. on the south shore.
which was constructed in 1s41. II fs altogether
likely that the waterway will soon pass into
dsuse. the water being probably employed to
supply power for works along the route.
The Government has been al pains TO secure
the best work on the canal system, such
Will guarantee It's for many years 70
come. The contractors have been closely wa tched
by the experimenting engineer. Thomas Monro.
whose efforts have been untlring TO see that the
material employed and the work were all that
they should ne and although the physical feat
ures Of the country have offered impediments OF
ra ;her serious nature there is good reason TO
believe that. when finished the canal will be
all that the Government expects II 10 he. The
construction work has been divided into thirteen
sections. several OF which completed, and
the balance is In advanced state.
The locks themselves are of solid stone and
concrete. and the entrances at either end so
constructed as to avoid all sharp corners
OF the prospect for the opening of the Sou
langes Canal next spring. although there are
some who regard it as impossible il may be
said that the Department has to deal with men
of the hghes. standing and experience in their
business. which is perhaps the best guarantee
that the Government could have for the faith
full discharge OF the contract.