USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Historical sketches of the ten miles square forming the District of Columbia : with a picture of Washington, describing objects of general interest or curiosity at the metropolis of the Union. > Part 24
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This subdivision commences with a long and expensive aqueduct over the Mongeacy; and is to be supplied by the preceding subdivision and by the Moumoney To this effect, a feeder is proposed from this river, and is supposed navigable with a view to any future improvement along the valley of the Monocacy.
The first five miles of this subdivision extend as far down as Peters' quarry; they will require a large portion of hill side cutting, and some walling, which will render this portion expensive.
·
365
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
The remaining 14 miles are unusually favorable, being gen- erally through extensive meadows, where the gradual inclina- tion of the ground affords the opportunity of choosing the le- vel of the canal, and thus obtaining nearly the minimum of excavation.
The estimate of this subdivision amounts to $511,900 40.
Subdivision 9th. From the mouth of Seneca creek to the head of the Great Falls.
Distance, 82 miles-descent, 32 feet-4 locks.
From Cumberland, 1713 4044 52
This subdivision begins by an aqueduct across Seneca creek; and a feeder is taken in from this stream.
The ground, for the whole distance, will require considera- ble walling and side cutting; but no serious difficulties are met with beyond mere expense of execution.
This subdivision will be supplied by Seneca creek, and will also receive a portion of the water furnished by the Potomac and Shenandoah.
The estimate of this subdivision amounts to $429, 868 40.
Subdivision 10th. From the head of the Great Falls to tide, below the Little Falls.
Distance, 112 miles-descent, 173 feet-22 locks, From Cumberland, 1833 578 74
The breaking of the Potomac through the granite ridge, at the Great Falls, presents, at first sight, difficulties of the great- est magnitude. The river gradually narrows its channel as it approaches its perpendicular pitch: at this point, and a little below, the width does not exceed one hundred yards, at a moderate stage of the stream. Here, the perpendicular rocks, 60 or 70 feet high, forming the banks, the deep water at their foot, the violence and great rise of the forsbers, render truly appalling the idea of supporting & caval along this pass by means of walls. Most happily, there is no necessity for such a plus: a ravine, or rather two ravines, which can be rendered continuous by comparatively little labor, extend for the whole distance between what is termed Bear Island and the high bluff's forming the Maryland shore.
This fortunate cireurastance will not cily enable to make the canal here at much less expense than through the pass of the stream, but it will also procure to the work a security which neither ingenuity nor expense could afford on the od.er alternative.
Below the Great Falls, the ground, with the exception of some portions of easy execution, is generally difficult, requir ing a large extent of walling and of steep side cutting, for
366
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
about seven miles: it is to say, as far down as the head of the actual canal round the Little Falls. This canal is to be used; therefore it is proposed to enlarge and improve it, as also to add some works for its security at its head, where it will form a valuable feeder.
At the end of this subdivision, five locks would be requisite to descend to the level of tide water, were the canal to termi- nate at this point; but, the distance to Georgetown being only 23 miles, it is proposed to lower the canal down at George- town, and to locate there the five locks just mentioned. These five locks are, however, carried into the estimate of this 100. subdivision.
This subdivision will be supplied with water by a feeder from the Potomac above the Great Falls.
The estimate of this subdivision, according to the documents hereto annexed, amounts to $897,650 80
Subdivision 11th. From the Little Falls to Georgetown. Distance, 24 miles-descent, 37 feet-5 locks.
From Cumberland, 156 578 74
Although the instructions received were to terminate the canal at tide water in the Potomac, yet it has been thought that a small economy of two miles and a half of canal, through easy ground, was not to be compared to the great advantages of avoiding the navigation of the stream, and having the Eas !- ern end of the canal at the Seat of the General Government. We have already stated that the lockage would not be increz- sed by this arrangement, the five locks necessary to descend at the Little Falls being, in this case, removed to Georgetown and there located. This portion has been made a separate subdivision, in order to afford the alternative of forming the connexion with the tide, either where it now exists, or # Georgetown
The latter plan would facilitate the canal being made con- tinuous to Washington, and in the direction of Baltimore. A basin, at Georgetown, between Bridge and Water streets, is proposed: its expense is introduced into the estimate, on the supposition of having this basin lined with stone.
As to the locks, which at present exist at the Little Falls, their being connected would offer, even if they were of the proper dimensions, a serious obstacle to an extensive trade passing through them, and would thus produce an inconveni- ence which has always been carefully avoided in framing the plan of the whole line. These locks should, however, be pre- served, as they may be useful to other important purposes.
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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
The estimate of thia subdivision, exclusively of the 5 locks already taken into account, will amount to $173,285 60.
Summary of the Eastern Section.
Distance Miles
Descent. Feet
Number of Locks.
Estimate. Dollars
186
578
74
8,177,081 05
MIDDLE SECTION.
From Cumberland to the Mouth of Casselman's River.
This section includes the Summit Level, and extends from Cumberland (or rather from the Western end of the Eastern Section ) to the mouth of Casselman's river, in the Youghagany. Its length is 70 miles 1010 yards, but a lockage of 1961 feet, and a tunnel of 4 miles 80 yards long, under a ridge of 856 feet elevation, will make this section extraordinarily expen- zive.
This section will, besides, require the erection of dams across the valleys through which it passes, and more especial- ly into the bed of Wills' creek. This stream, in fact, affords, in Summer and Fall, a too small supply of water towards its sources, to rely altogether upon it: the summit level must feed, therefore, the upper portions, whilst frequent dams cree- led across the valley will make available the water delivered by the stream.
The valleys of Wills' creek and Casselman's river being for- med of a succession of flats and bluffs, the canal will often require to be supported by walls, whose height should place the work out of reach of the freshets. These freshets rise, In Wille creek, from seven to ten feet, and from twelve to six- teen feet in Casselman's.
In planning this section, care has been taken to avoid, as much as practicablo, expensive aqueducts, and none is to be erected over Casselman's river; the canal will follow, con- etantly, the right side of the valley, whose Southern exposure will poocure an earlier navigation in Spring, and later in Au- Wmn. Respecting Wills' creek, its valley is so narrow at
368
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
some places, and the height of freshets so inconsiderable, that four crossings have been made to take advantage of the most favorable ground, and thus lessen the expense. It must be observed, that these two streams are not navigable, and will, therefore, require no peculiar work to accomodate their trade and navigation.
The execution of the tunnel will be, not only very expen- sive, but also long and difficult; all the geological appearances lead to the conclusion that the excavation will have to be made through sandstone rocks. The estimate has been calculated for three different kinds of ground-hard clay, sandstone, granite, and unstratified limestone. The hypothesis of sand- stone being admitted here, the estimate relating to this kind of ground accompanies the present report. The tunnel will re- quire to be lined with masonry, experience having shown that this precaution is indispensable; brick masonry has been ad- opted in the estimate as the most convenient to fulfil the ob- ject. The dimensions of the interior of the tunnel, are 22 feet in width, 7 feet under the water line, and 163 feet above the same line, which form 233 feet from the bottom to the top of the arch; the tow-path is Your feet wide. The shafts destined to facilitate the excavation, and to air the tunnel, are proposed to be sunk 180 yards apart, from centre to centre; their diam- eter will be six feet within the lining of brick masonry. A gallery, lateral and parallel to the tunnel, corresponds with the shafts; this gallery, or heading, is destined to drain the tunnel during its excavation; its width is three feet, and its height 63 feet; it is lined with brick masonry, and communi- cates with the tunnel by means of arcades, or side headings, which correspond to the points at which the shafts terminate into the heading. The sheet No. 4, herewith annexed, exhi- bits all the drafts relating to this tunnel, and to the deep cuts at its ends.
The deep cut at the Western end is 1060 yards long, that at the Eastern 140 yards; each opens into a basin having 880 yards in length and 64 yards in width. The tunnel, the deep cuts, and the basins, form together the Summit Level, whose length will be 5 miles 1280 yards; a lock is located at each end, and where each basin terminates.
Let us now examine the resources upon which we can rely to supply with water this Summit Level, and the portions of canal contiguous to it. The stream upon which we have chiefly to depend, is Casselman's; it yielded, in 1825 and 1826, the following results:
.
t
369
.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
June 21, 1825, at Plucher's farm, per second, 18 cubic feet.
July 10, 1825, below Flagherty's creek, 38
July 12, 1826, at its mouth, 46
March 21, 1826, at Plucher's farm, 98
March 27, 1826, below Flaughcity's creek, 715
March 21, 1820, at Forney's mill dam, 536
We have admitted, in the former part of the present report, 18 cubic feet per second, as the minimum of water yielded by Casselman's river, and we have also pointed out two reser- voirs, one at Plucher's farm, the other at Forney's mill, con- taining together twenty-two millions of cubic yards. These are the resources afforded by the localities to feed the Summit Level, and supply its lockage, and also portions of canal con- tiguous to the Summit Level.
The reservoirs are to be filled in Winter during the inter- ruption of the navigation; an interruption which, considering the elevation of the Summit Level above the Ocean, 1903 feet, cannot be supposed less than four months, viz: from the first of December to the first of April. By adopting 98 ca- bic feet per second as the mean supply afforded in winter by Casselman's river, at Pleucher's farm, we find that, in less than 72 days, both reservoirs would be filled up.
However, to remove any doubt on the subject, we will take an area of $6 square miles of ground whose rain water sup- plies Casse man's river, and make a computation of what such an area would yield; we will suppose it to be formed of two strips of land, each of 18 miles long and one mile wide, and stretching along the banks of Casselman's river above For- ney's mill.
From observations made, from 1817 to 1824, exclusively, by Mr. Lewis Brantz, in the vicinity of Baltimore, we have the following results: in the course of these eight years, there fell on a mean average, yearly, 39 89-100 inches of rain; in 1822, there fell the smallest quantity, which was 29 20-100 inches; the greatest quantity fell in 1817, it amounted to 48 55-100 inches. Adapting these data for the country round the Summit Level, and using only the results of the year 1822, we find that the rain which fell in the three first and three last months of said year, amounted to 16 70-100 inches, and for the six other months, to 124 inches.
Cubic yds.
These 16 70-100 inches are equivalent, per square yard surface, to -
0.463
The 123 inches,
do
do
0.347
The whole, or 29 20-100 inches,
do 0.810
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Chesapeake and Ohio-Canal.
Applying now these last results to the area of $6 square miles above mentioned, we find that they will receive, at the minimum, Cubic yards.
During the Fall and Winter, 51,630,796 80 During the Spring and Summer, 38,695,219.20 90,326,016.00
The whole year round,
From which it will be seen, 1st, That the two-thirds of the first quantity, or 34,420,531 2-10 cubic yards, would be about one-third more than will be necessary to fill up the reservoirs in four months; 2d, that 44 cubic feet per second would make up, during six months, the two-thirds of the second quantity, and might, therefore, bedeemed the mean discharge, per second, of Casselman's river Spring and Summer, instead of 18 cubic feet assumed in the present report; 3d, That this surplus will partly replenish the reservoirs during the time of navigation.
If to these considerations we add that, instead of 36 square miles, we might easily have taken the double, we may con- chide that the filtrations and evaporationg of rain water being taken into the most liberal account, the portion of the Casselmau's valley above Forney's mill, will convey to the bed of this river more water than we have admitted.
We believe, therefore, that the minimum supply of the Summit Level will consist of, 1st, A reservoir of $2,000,000 oubic yards; 2d, 18 cubic feet per second of running water .- And, since the navigation is supposed to be opened during eight months, the monthly resources will be-
2,750,000 cubic yards from the reservoirs, 1,728,000 from the river itself,
Total, 4,478,000 cubic yards per month.
Let us see now how will be regulated the use of this month- ly supply. Taking into consideration the unavoidable delays at the ends of the Summit Level, the impediments at the de- bouches of the tunnel and through the deep cuts, and, finally, the greater resistance the boats will meet through the tunnel, we cannot suppose less than 3 hours 25 minutes for a boat to pass from one end of the Summit Level to the other, which comes to 1} miles per hour. But the passage is to be effected in convoy, on account of economy both of time and water, and we adopt 30 boats for each convoy, a number which in the pre- sent case seems to us favorable to combine the time of passage with the supply of water during the same time. These thirty boats moving in convoy, will meet with more delay than would a single boat, and instead of 3 hours 25 minutes, as before sta- ted, we assign four hours to the convoy to pass frem one end to the other of the Summit Level.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
We suppose, also, that a convoy of 30 boats, descending the Eastern lock of the Summit Level, and (through the same loek,) passing an ascending convoy of the same number of boats, will effectuate this cross passage in eight hours, under the plausible supposition that 16 minutes will be required for the cross passage of a boat ascending and one descending. A similar cross passage is supposed to take place at the Western lock of the Summit Level, and at the same time.
Now, a first convoy leaving the Eastern lock, will arrive 4 hours afterwards at the Western lock, and meet there a convoy coming from the West, and ready to proceed Eastwards. This second convoy will reach, in four hours, the Eastern lock, and find there a third convoy, having ascended the lock during the passage of the first and second convoys. This third convoy will proceed Westward, and arrive 4 hours after at the West- ern lock, where it will find a fourth convoy, having ascended the lock during the passage of the second and third convoys! Lastly, this fourth convoy will move Eastward, and reach, in 4 hours, the Eastern lock; meeting there with a convoy from the East, having ascended the Eastern lock during the passage of the third and fourth convoy.
The passage of these four convoys, forming together 120 boats, and requiring 4 hours each, may be considered, as will be seen just now, the maximinin of trade which the supply of water can admit. At this rate of 120 beats a day, 3,600 might pass per month, and 23,800 during the eight months of open navigation.
Let us now compute the expense of water which the lockage of these boats will require. Admitting, as in fact it will be the case, that, at each lock, one ascending boat alternates with a descending one, each boat will draw, from the Summit Level, but one lockful, viz: half a lockfut at each end. However, in order to provide for contingencies and unforeseen cases, we adopt one lockful and a half for the passage of each boat through the Summit Level. One lockful and a half containing 623 eu- bie yards, the 3,600 boats passing during one month, will re- quire 2,212, 800 cubic yards of water, which. being taken out of the monthly supply, ainounting to 4,478,000 cubic yards, will leave 2,235, 2 00 cubic yards. This last quantity is destined to feed the canal itself, exclusively of lockage, on a length of 18 miles, and at the rate of 120,000 cubic yards per ile and per month, absorption, filtration, and evaporation, being taken juto account.
24
872
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
These eighteen miles comprehend the Summit Level, a por- tion of six miles in Wills' creek; and a similar of also six miles in Casselman's valley. The remainder of the canal down Wills' creek will be supplied by this stream, whilst Cassel- man's river will feed the remainder of the canal descending its valley.
The estimated cost of the Summit Level, just described, is as follows: The Tunnel-
Shafts, $233,032 95
Heading. 383,534 83
Side Heading, 7,704 27
Tunnel, -
2,495,242 80
Draining, - 159,469 30
Total cost of the Tunnel,
$3,278,984 15
The Eastern Basin, -
-
-
26,741 14
The Eastern deep cut, - -
-
- 18,733 00
The Western deep cut,-
-
-
- 141,840 72
The Western Basin
-
-
5,608 00
Total estimate of the Summit Level, - - $3,171,907 01
The details relating to the estimate of the Tunnel are exhi- bited in the Sheet No. 5, annexed to this report. As to the Basins and deep cuts, their detailed estimates have been carried inte those belonging to the Eastern and Western portions of this Middle Section. We shall now present successively the description of these portions: the Eastern commencing at the Eastern end of the Summit Level, and terminating below Cumberland; the Western beginning at the Western end of the Summit Level, and debouching into the Youghagany be- low the mouth of Casselman's river.
EASTERN PORTION.
Subdivision İat. From the Eastern end of the Summit Level to the mouth af Little Wills' creek.
Distance, 15 miles 460 yards-descent, 1,016 feet-127 locks The canal follows, for $3 miles, the left side of the valley of Wills' creek; it then crosses the stream, to descend, for two miles, along the right bank; crossing again the ereck, it re- main: on the left side as far down as the 14th mile; it then cro-ses a third thue, to follow the right side of the valley as far down as opposite the mouth of Little Wills' creek.
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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
The considerable descent in so short a distance; the contrac- te I breadth of the valley; the steepness of its sides; the great quantity of excavation in rocky ground; will concur, together, to render this subdivision very expensive in proportion to its extent.
The distance between the heads of two consecutive locks will not be less than 180 yards.
The six first miles will be fed, as stated before, by the Sum- mit Level; the remainder will be supplied by Wills' creek; to that effect, dams, erected at suitable places, will afford the means of taking into the canal, not only the waters of the creek, but also those of its tributaries.
The estimate of this subdivision amounts to (the Eastern ba- sin and deep cat excluded, ) $2,300,559 29.
Subdivision 2d. From the mouth of Little Willy' creek, to the Western end of the Eastern Section, below Cumber- land.
Distance, 133 miles-descent, 309 feet-39 loek3. From the Summit Level 29 ms. 240 yds. 1325 166
At the commencement of this subdivision, the line of canal takes a sudden change of direction from nearly East and West to almost North and South. The valley also changes its character, becoming broader, more level, and less rapid in its descent.
'The canal continues for 103 miles on the right bank of the stream, passing alternately along steep and rocky lull sides, and through meadow land, but even in the latter requiring a large quantity of excavation of rock. It then passes over to the left bank, and continues for more than half'a nule on fa- vorable ground, when it enters the defile formed by the break- ing of Wills' creek through the mountain of the same name.
The difficulties of this passage are great, and continue for more than a mile. The ground then becomes favorable, per- mitting the canal to pass at the outskirts of Cumberland, to join with the Eastern Section.
Provision is made for taking in a supply of water immediate- ly below the junction of Great and Little Wills' creek, and also at several points below. Adjoining Cumberland, the canal will receive a feeder from the Potomac, for its supply below, and more especially to complete what is necessary in relation to the first subdivision of the Eastern Section.
This feeder is proposed to be made navigable, in order to accommodate the trade of the Potomac above Cumberland. Its length is one mile; its width, at the water line, 30 feet; its
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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
depth 4 four feet. At its point of departure from the Potomac, a basin is formed in the bed of the river, by means of a dam erected at the first ledge above Cumberland. This basin, comprehending an extent of about eight miles, will afford a constant supply of water, and also accommodate the coal trade of the Potomac. The levees around the basin, the dam, the guard lock of the feeder, the feeder and its aqueduct over Wills' creek, are included in the estimate of this subdivision.
A basin is contemplated at Cumberland, and adapted to the probable wants of the place; it will be provided with locks to communicate with the Potomac.
The estimate of this subdivision amounts to $1,555,764 32. The estimate of the Eastern portion amounts to $3,856,623- 60 cents .!
WESTERN PORTION.
Subdivision 1st. From the Western end of the Summit Level to the mouth of Middle Fork creek.
Distance, 163 miles-descent, 216 fect-27 locks.
This subdivision commences at the Western end of the basin formed in the valley of Flaugherty's creek, and into which is introduced the feeder from the reservoirs in the valley of Cas- selman's. Having already stated all the details relating to this appendage of the Summit Level, we find ourselves dispensed from entering into further explanations upon the subject.
The canal, for this subdivision, is on the right bank of Cas- selman's river. On this distance, although no very formidable difficulties are presented, yet the amount of excavation of rock, as also the great quantity of walling, will render the work very expensive.
The six first miles are to be fed by the Summit Level, as it' has been stated, as to the remainder, provision has been made at several places, for taking from Casselman's river additional supplies.
It is to be observed, that this upper subdivision of Cassel- man's river has a descent less rapid than that of the lower: the reverse takes place in the valley of Wills' creek.
The estimate of this subdivision amounts to (the Western basin and deep cut excluded,) $1,240,215 32.
Subdivision 2d. From the mouth of Middle Fork creek, to the month of Casselman's river.
Distance, 19 m's 1030 y's-descent, 420 ft .- 53 locks, From Western end .
· of Summit Level, 35 1250
63 680
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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
This subdivision keeps on the right bank of Casselman's ri- wer, as far down as 440 yards below its mouth. The nature of the ground through which it passes resembles that of the subdivision above, except in the vicinity of the Youghagany, when it becomes much more favorable, offering more earth and less rock for excavation than above.
Occasional resorts to the stream will secure to the canal a competent supply of water. And, at the end of this subdivi- siou, two feeders, one from Casselman's river, and the other from Laurel Hill run, are introduced for the supply of the sec- tion descending the valley of the Youghagany.
According to the documents hereto annexed, the estimate of this subdivision amounts to $1,459,316 93.
And the estimate of the Western portion amounts to $2,699,532 25.
We close the description of the present Middle Scetion by offering the following summary of the main facts relating to it.
Distances
Ascent No. of & Des't Locks.
Estimate.
Ms. Ys.
Feet. 1525
166
3,856,623 GO
5 1980
3,471,967 01
35 1250
6,36
80
2,699,332 25
70 1010
1961
246:
10,028,122 86
WESTERN SECTION.
From the mouth of Casselman's River to Pittsburg.
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