Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-04
(Communicated.)
CANAL CONSTRUCTIONS DIS
NAL SWAMP CANAL.


Now. the eve of the nineteenth CEN
tury, bids fair to become an era of ca
nal building. The old adage that his
tory repeats itself" is certainly true in
regard to canal construction.
Among the ancients, when civiliza-
ton was confined entirely to the neigh
borhood OF the ocean, inland navigation
was very limited, and means of over
coming differences of elevation were
unknown. The first canals were built
for purposes of irrigation, and their
enlargement to form navjgable chan
nels was an afterthought. The royal
canal of Babylon, SO enlarged about 600
years before Christ. is among the
earliest recorded in history.
The first canal in this country was
built i'll 1898 around the falls of the
Connecticut river, at South Hadley.
Mas, and from that time up until tn
jate Civil war, much attention MAS
given to the cause of Internal improve
ment, and enormous projects were un-
dertaken.
After the war speculation in canals
was checked by the building OF rail-
roads. and canals; were considered out
of date, neglected. and abandoned in
some instances, and seemed destined to
be supplanted altogether by railroads;
but recently the people have begun to
realize that they are the cheapest mode
OF transportation. Everything haa
cheapened, especially farm produce,
consequently the farmers are COM
planning of the unjust discrimination
OF railroad corporations, and are clam
crinE for the reconstruction OF the old
canals ana the building of new ones.
n proud nation coming out from war
fresh with n grand victory. is an i'm
DetuS to the capitalists to invest their
money in gigantic enterprises, which
seem almost superhuman to accom-
plish; and they are keen-sghted
enough TO foresec the popular demand
and to meet the -eXigencicS of the oc-
cason.
The question of the construction Of
the Nicaragua canal is now attracting
the public attention, and will, no doubt,
be constructed in the course of n short
time; II not by the Government. then
by Il private corporation.
The Erie canal has recently been en-
larged, and now, another link in the
chain of the long proposed ship-canals
along our coast. has been contaminated
by the reconstruction of the old Dismal
Swamp canal; and, in mentioning this
canal. / venture TO give a portion OF
its history, as 1t is one of the Oldest
and most important in this country.
The Dismal swamp canal runs nearly
north and south through the eastern
edge OF the Dismal Swamp, and con-
meets the estuary of the Chesapeake on
the North. with the great Sounds OF
Carolina. on the South and by n link
OF only 20 miles, uniting in inland nav
igation the waters of about five States
of the Atlantic seaboard. This canal
was chartered by the States of Vir-
GINA and North Carolina, in 1887, and
both States subscribed literally to the
stock. The Government also became Il
large stakeholder in this enterprise
George Washington was one OF the
first subscribers to the stock. and
heartily favored the opening up of this
canal and the development and recla-
nation of the Dismal Swamp. Wash
ington made several surveys and found
out that the swamp was n decided wa
tcr-shed. and was considerably higher
than the adjacent lands.
The first vessel passed through the
canal in 1872 and it was finally COM
pleted In lS26. The cost of cutting this
canal was immense, as 1t was dug out
by hand with spades and shoVcls.
The opening up of this inland water
way at that time afforded Il line of
communication for small vessels be-
tween the Chesapeake Bay and the
Albemarle Sound, and permitted them
10 avoid the dangerous coast of Hat
teras: and also provided a means of
access TO the vast forest of timber
within the confines of the swamp. This;
canal was kept in good condition until
ABOUT 1861, and afterwards scarcely any
improvements were made, consequent
~ 1t gradually filed up and was nearly
aDandomed by its defunct oMners. until
several years ago Il company of Bal
timore capitalists, seeing the advan-
tages OF this route. purchased the
canal and gave the contract to a we'll
Known dredging company to enlarge.
rms company began work February
10. lSg6. in earnest, with latest inn
proved hydraulic and dipper dredges
ana nave succeeded in nearly complct =
ing 1t. and it will shortly be opened for
navigation. The canal has been CON
siderahly widened. two of the four
locks abandoned and has been cut on
level at the bottom, with a depth
| or water at ten feet. About one mil
non dollars has been expended in this
| enterprise.
The question of the government pur-
chasing this canal and converting il
into Il great ship canal. to permit the
| ingress and eSress of our war vessels
and merchantmen through this inside
| route has been frequently agitated
| and the government has made several
surveys OF this route. The feasibility
OF TINS scheme cannot be questioned
In case of war with formidable for
elgn power such route would no doubt
be Il great protection to our commerce.
During the war of 1S12-'l5 there was
| no inland communication between the
| Chesapeake Bay and the Sounds of
| carolina. The want of such a route at
that time was deeply felt bv orr in
FAINT navy for the TRANSPORTATION NJ
| naval stores, etc, which was necessary