New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-16
THE BARGE CANALPROJECT
PROGRESS MADE on SURVEYS AND ESTI-
MATES. BUT THE ENGINEERS RE 20
PORT WILL NOT BE READY
FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

, Albany Dec Is (special State Engineer Bond
says that Governor-elect Odell has given his con-
sent to a postponement until February OF Feo-
ruarv Is of the submission him Of the results OF
the survey and estimates recently made by the
State Engineer and his subordinates as 70 the
probable cost of constructing barge canal along
the line chiefly of the present Erie Canal-although
at several points the barge canal would be con-
structed away from the path Of that canal.
81 really could not complete the estimates before
February l." said the State Engineer. Il am
driving the work forward as fast as it can possibly
be done. 1 have no suspicion yet what the cost
of the barge canal will be, and. indeed, the figures
are not yet in shape TO make even a guess. Ny
duty is simply to learn the probable cost of the
barge canal 1 shall not express any opinion in
my report as to the wisdom OF the construction of
such q canal. L now have over eighty accountants
and draughtsmen at work the De Graf Building
in this city, figuring up the cost Of the various
parts OF the proposed barge canal and making the
drawings needed. Then have an advisory board
of engineers. consisting of ex-State Engineer FL
nathan Sweet. Major Thomas W. Symons, OF Buff
falo; George Morrison and Professor W. H. Burr
of New-York. and Alfred Noble. Of Chicago. The
last three named members of the Isthrlian
Canal Commission. This Advisory Board has met
here IN Albany monthly to select the location Of
the canal. the style of locks to be used and the
unit prices OF the several classes of work"
Where do you divert from the present line OF
the Erie Canal?" was asked.
I'VE have surveyed a route from the Erie Canal
a little west Of Lockport to Olcott Lake Ontario.
There is a natural depression there which would
permit of the construction of locks and canal"
But the United States Deep Water Ways Com
mission suggests that p foot a 30 foot water
way be constructed from La Sale. the Niagara
River, to Lewiston. on the same river below Nj
agara Fails"
They do that" said Mr. Bond 'in order 10 take
advantage OF the admirable harbor of the Niagara
River at Lewiston. There would be no objection
on my part to having the State barge canal follow
the line running from La Sale TO Lewiston and in
deed, 1t has some advantages over the Lockport
route. The canal should be constructed to Lake
Ontario at Lewiston or at Olcott with the purpose
OF having the barges sail on Lake Ontario as far
as Oswego and there enter the Oswego Canal
which would be enlarged to barge canal propor-
lions, and thence gain access TO the main line OF
the barge canal eastward. From Lockport the
barge canal Will follow the line Of the Erie Canal
10 Rochester There il will divert either south or
north of the city probably SOUTH In order to avoid
going through the centre OF the city Thence II
win follow the line OF the Erie Canal to Clyde A
mile and a half east OF Clyde the barge canal will
leave the path OF the Erie Canal and run due east
through the Seneca River to the Oneida River and
thence TO Oneida Lake. The canal will pass
through Oneida Lake There will be no townatb
to the proposed barge canal. All the canalboats
will be propelled by steam and therefore they can
connecting Syracuse with the Seneca River Toufs IL
The appropriation act Of 100000 under which the
surveys plans and estimates o. the ERIE canal Saas Ss
VITA h.
present route OF the said canal and also via re
Mohawk River between Rome and Cohoes and the
cost OF such canal via the present route ana ~
canalizing the Mohawk River shall be calcuIatsd
and stated separately by sections as follows: From
the vicinity of Rexford Flats Cohoes between
Rexford Flats and Little Falls and between Littla
Falls and Rome. and statement of the relative
advantages thereof as TO each OF such sections
shall accompany such estimates. The passage NJ
Cohoes Falls and the realignment at Newark and
OF the combined locks al Lockport shall be provided
for By surveys. plans and estimates for the con-
struction or pneumatic locks mechanical lifts or
other types; surveys, plans and estimates shall be
made OF the enlarged canal through the city OF
Utica and around the city OF Utica TO determine
the relative cost and advantages OF these routes"
The Canal ADVISORY Commission has estimated
that large canal could be constructed for $50 OOo
600. II Is State Engineer Bonds responsiblA duty
10 learn IL this estimate IS correct ore His sur
veys, plans and estimates are 10 be for the con-
struction and Improvement OF the Erie Canal until
II win accommodate canalboats $50 feet long feet
wide and or 10 feet drauRht with a cargo capac-
ity OF approximately 1000 tons. The prism OF
the canal Is TO have a deDth of NOT less than 10
feet OF water throughout. '"ana bottom vvidfh ~
not less than Is feet with such slide slopes or vertical
walls of masonry or rock may be neceSsarE 10
give cross sectional area OF the canal prism OF
az least l.lo square feet" The survey act also
@ays: The locks shall be not less than so feet