The Washington herald., 1909-03-14

bay snip canal, RnlCn, II Is SAID, Qe-
serves careful study by all those inter
ested in the problem OF economical trans
portation routes from the interior of the
continent TO the Atlantic seaboard.'' The
article, in part. follows:
Detailed estimates for the Georgian Bay
route show that deep waterway, ample
in size for the largest vessels now navi-
eating the lakes, can be built from Lake
Huron TO Montreal via the Ottawa River
for a total cost of less than $1000O0,0O0.
II the most economical route at Montreal
Island is adopted. the estimated cost is
less than S94.O0O0O0.
This compares most favorably with the
expenditure which the State OF New
York is making on the Erie Canal en-
largement. As our readers will remen-
her. the cost of this was originally set at
100000 600. including the enlargement Of
the canal leading to Lake Champlain.
The New York canal when completed,
however. will only accommodate large
sized barges and will require transship-
ment of all freight at Buffalo. II can
hardly be questioned by any one that for
the most economical transportation from
the lakes to the seabOard the lake yes
tidewater to discharge its cargo.
Shorter Way TO the sea.
In our opinion the most interesting
thing in the report on the Georgian Bay
canal project is the comparison in map
and profile between this route and the
Ontario and St. Lawrence route TO the
sea. Something of this comparison has
already been given in our issue Of Octo-
Der 8. 1907. but the map and profile makes
the comparison much more vivid.
Instead of building the proposed locks.
siams, and river regulation works on the
Upper ottawa, IL would only be neces-
4 sary to rebuild the short Welland Canal
i between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
and the chain OF short canals along the
St Lawrence River from Ontario 10
Montreal, in order 10 bring the lake YES
sels down to tide-water.
It IS true that the distance would be
somewhat greater by the St Lawrence
route. In figures. the distance from Sault
Ste. Marie TO Montreal. by way of Lakes
Huron, Erie. and Ontario and the St
Lawrence, is 943 miles; whereas by the
Georgian Bay route Il would be 66l miles.
But the saving in distance by the GeOr-
gian Bay route would De fully Offset by
the reduced speed through narrow chan
nels and the delay in passing through the
greater number OF locks required
There are other reasons why the lake
and St Lawrence route would be more
attractive for navigation. The winter
climate is less severe so that the period
OF navigation would be longer, and the
route lies through the most popUlous and
wealthy section of Canada, where the
largest amount Of local traffic could be
developed.
st. Lawrence Route Cheaper.
It is from the point Of view of rapid
and economical construction. however.
hat the St. Lawrence route appeals
most strongly. Work on the Upper OF
tawa would have 10 be carried on in
country almost uninhabited. remote ffom
supplies. and with a consequent liability
20 heavy expense and delays.
Much Of the work would be subject TO
more or less interference from foods
and high water. In comparison. the en-
largement of the st. Lawrence and Vel
land canals would be a work close 20
centers OF population and 20 supplies of
labor and materials, and construction /
could be carried on without difficulty at
all seasons OF the year and with almost
no Interference or risk from floods
II is noteworthy that in the annual
report Of the Canadian department of
railways and canals, presented to Par
lament on February 19. the deputy min [
ister Mr.. VI. J. Butler. well known as
among the leading engineers Of Canada /
strongly recommends the enlargement Of /
the Welland Canal He proposes a depth /
OF p feet on the lock-sills and 25 feet in /
the reaches between the locks, and he |
would also widen the channel TO about I
two and a half times its present width /
The present Welland Canal effects the |
drop from Lake Erie TO Lake Ontario.
vertical distance Of 327 feet, with twenty
six locks. The canal was built at a time /
when engineering methods and prece- |
dents did not permit what is easily pos
sble TO-DAY. Ii would be entirely prac- !
ticable 10 rebuild the canal with small +
number Of locks of high lift and thereby I
greatly reduce the time of passage /
through the-canal Such reconstruction. !
moreover. would be comparatively mex
pensive The work would be concentrat- /
ed at one point and could be done at low
unit cost.
Short Haul by Rail.
With this work accomplished. lake yes /
sels could land their cargoes at Ogdens- /
burg, leaving only 112 miles OF rail haul |
necessary to deliver their cargoes at |
tide-water in Montreal, even with the /
st Lawrence canals in their present con-
dition. And with this much done there /
can be little doubt that the enlargement
Of these canals the last links in the
thrOugh-water route admitting lake yes |
sells to tide-water, would promptly be |
undertaken.
The United States is almost as deeply
interested in the carrying out o. this en-
terprise on proper economic and engi- I
neering lines as is Canada itself AS has
been shown previously in these columns. |
the Canadian outlet TO the ocean through I
the St Lawrence River and Gulf must
always contend against the dangers Of I
navigation on these bodies of water 1
where fOgs and ice and rocky shores
threaten the mariner for hundreds of
miles. More than this. however. the 1
great bulk of the products OF the Cen
tral West which are brought to the East /
ern seabosrd are destined for home con-
sumption there. 1t is comparatively a /
minor portion that seeks a market in Eu-
rope.
With lake ships coming down TO tide
water at Montreal the next step doubt |
less will be 20 provide a channel by
which they may pass from the St Law
renee into Lake Champlain-the eleva-
tion OF which is only 100 feet above sea /
level-and thence southwark through an
enlarged Champlain canal 10 the Hud-
son River at Troy. and thus to the mar 4
kets Of the Atlantic seabOard in New /
York. Boston. Providence, Philadelphia. I
Baltimore. and Norfolk
1t viii be remembered that when the /
international commission on deep water /
WAYS between the Lakes and the Atlantic !
presented its report ten years ago COM
parative estimates we're made for water |
Vows Via the St Lawrence River and |