Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-06
INLAND WATER ROUTE
yoR.or.x TO ALBERMARLE SOUND,
Thu VI CURRITUCK SOUND.
CE EEAL WILSON'S REPORT THEREON.
Condition of Work Intended TO
Deepen and widen the Channel
narmecfde Fenst at White House
for Chioans-Other Notes.

WASHINGTON, u. c.. November g.
Special -Chief-E Engineer Wilson. Of the
United States army, has a very comp e
hensive appendix to his annual report on
the subject of the inland water route from
Norfolk. Va, to Albemarle Sound. n. C.,
through Currltuck Sound, describing the
routes advantages as commercial high
way, and as a safe channel for war YES
sells of light draft in time of war. Fol
lowing is an extract from the paper:
This route is composed Of the follow
ing bodies OF water, viz: Elizabeth river.
North Landing river, Currituck Sound.
Coanjock bay, North river and the Abe
marie and Chesapeake canal. All are
natural waterways, with the exception or
the canal, which is owned and controlled
by corporation. The canal proper has
one lock. and extends from the head or
the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth
river 20 North Landing bridge, distance
Of S.H miles,
''The original condition of the route
permitted its navigation by boats drawing
s feet Of water. In some parts draft
OF feet could be carried. This channel
was badly INSTRUCTED by overhanging
growth, snags, sunken logs, and sharp
bends In the rivers.
prior 10 the river and harbor act of
September 49, 1890 the Improvement was
carried on under projects for each part
Of the route and TO June 80, 1897. an aggre-
gate of s240, 1880 had been expended on
the separate works in an endeavor TO Sc
cure a navigable channel, free from all
distractions, 50 feet wide and feet deep.
mi. .1las hot fVna TTp
to 50 feet wide and S 10 8 feet deep.
"The separate projects were primarily
TO obtain a 9-foot channel 50 feet wide
throughout the entire route by dredging
removing distractions, and constructing
dixie in Coanjock bay. When the con-
soldation was made tho object OF the
separate projects was not altered and TIL
combined estimated cost Of these projects
remained the same. The latter was
1906 667.0S.
Since the consolidated project was
adopted s30,ll2.57 had been expended there
under TO June 80 1897. In widening the
channels to the projected dimensions. and
in redredging In the Southern Branch Of
the Elizabeth river.
EXPENDITURES DURING 1883
During the fiscal year ending June &C.
1898. S.lS06 was expended
Under a contract z9,052 cubic yards or
material was removed by dredging from
the Southern Branch OF the Elizabeth
river. From the Albemarie and Chesa-
peake canal locks to a point i,7o feet be-
low dredging was carried over width
of 60 feet. and Tor an additional distance
OF 800 feet one cut 20 feet wide was
made on each side OF the existing chan
mel. At the sharp bend near the Green
Sea railroad wharf one cut 20 feet wide
-,as made on each side OF the channel
for a distance OF 1900 feet. The contract
price was q cents per cubic yard for
material deposited from scows.
ION June go 1898 a draft Of from sl-2
10 Q feet could be carried through the
part Of the route under Improvement.
The depth In the canal. however. Is not
over feet and with northerly winds this
| Is decreased by from inches to foot.
There is no tidal flow In these waters, ex-
except in the Elizabeth river, but wind
from the direction stated drives the water
out OF the canal and rivers to the south
ward.
1.-THE commerce for the calendar year
1897 shows a decrease Of l,s92 tons, wnen