The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 25

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440

USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 25

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Mile 5th. Located on ground casy of ex- cavation-between pickets No. 58 and 59 loose stones 5,801 80

Mile 6th. Generally of easy formation-from pickets 68 to 72 estimated as common excava- tion; should stone occur it may remain to be quarried and broken for the Horse path 2,082 -98

Mile 7th Is located on gentle sloping ground Mile 8th. On gentle slopes declining south the whole section; easy for road forming -

952 22

1,535 73

Mile 9th. On easy ground, the line passes south of the village of Hempfield, and then crosses the Marietta turnpike. The section terminates on the east side of the Little Con- estoga creek, which is passed with a truss bridge. (Little Conestoga bridge, 792. feet, $14,500. ) 15,579 70

Mile 10th. Easily formed, some of the small embankments made from widening the side ditches.

794 44

Mile 11th. Of the same character as the last

930 40

Mile 12th. Rock found at picket 207, which will be disposed of for the horse patlı-soil, loam, clay 1,218 22

Mile 13th. A portion of this section passes about a quarter of a mile north of the build- ings in the city of Lancaster, crosses Hardwick run east of Mrs. Coleman's house, and Big Conestoga at a bluff near . Mrs. Hall's resi- dence. Limestone rock bottom in creek. (Hardwick bridge 244 feet, $1,640 50-Big Co- nestoga bridge, $24,081) - 27.155 00

Mile 14th. The excavations on this section are moderate and easy, soil generally loam and clay; at picket 27 one foot of rock which can remain; the smaller embankments on this, as well as in other sections, are made up from widening the side ditches 1,035 24

Mile 15th. Passes over gently sloping ground, declining south; soil, loam, clay, easily excavated 2,097 28

Mile 16th. The cutting at the commence, ment of this section was not sounded to the full depth; it is estimated as common excavation, and should rock however occur, it may remain for the formation of the horse path; the rest of the section is nearly on surface 1,938 75

Mile 17th. Road forming easy on this sec- tion; small embankments raised from earth obtained in widening side ditches 1,242 92

Mile 18th. Crosses Mill creek at S. Gib- bons; the line passes between his house and barn; and beyond Mill creek a branch of it is crossed; the section generally is of easy forma- tion; soil, loam, clay. (Mill creek bridge, 528 feet, 9204 dolls .- Conard's bridge, 122 feet, $710 50) 11,766 85

Mile 19th. This section crosses the old Lancaster road, and in general, it is of easy formation; soil, clay, loam 1,180 92

Mile 20th. Passes over gentle sloping ground, declining towards Stauffer's run; soil, loam, clay 1,742 59 .

Mile 21st. The greater part of this section is located on uneven ground; it crosses Sou- dersburg valley at Weaver's. The cutting is easy; soil, loam, clay. (Bridge at Porter's, 16 feet, $114 37-Bridge at Soudersburg val- Icy, 500 feet, §2,127) 3,967 86

Mile 22d. At the commencement of this section, a ridge of easy excavation is pierced,

after which the ground falls slightly below the graded line, it crosses Brisbane's run, and leaves an embankment between the bridge at that run, and Pequea creek. (Bridge at Bris- bane's run, 442 feet, $1,926-Pcquea bridge, 600 feet, $5,318) 11,392 63

Mile 23d. Passes over an undulating sur- face, encountering ledges- of limestone, which afford excellent building stone, which will be wanted in the bridges and on the road. The ex- cavation only estimated as common cutting. This section crosses the Lancaster and Philadelphia turnpike, and terminates at a bluff at the head of Eshleman's dam 1,356 28

Mile 24th. Is located on undulating ground -the cuttings are easy. The section after it passes between Mrs. Mellvaine's house and baru, terminates in the orchard. (Bridge at Eshleman's mill pond 419 f. $2085 75-Bridge at Eshleman's run, 132 feet. $1,029 50) 5,941 28.

Mile 25th. Is traced on sloping ground, de- clining to London run, less uneven on the sur- face than the last section-light loam, liable to wash 1

1,720 79 1

Mile 26th. Continues along the slopes. of London run, crosses a branch which leads from Williamstown, at Picket 276 limetone rock, which will be used for abutments of the bridge. The line crosses the Lancaster and Philadel- phia turnpike twice. This section is located on favourable ground. ( Williamstown bridge, 409 feet, $2376) 3,185 67

Mile 27th. The surface on this section is .

rather uneven; the cuttings are considered easy; soil, loam and clay slight

2,197 42

Mile 28th. This section is rough, with con- siderable embankment at Picket 323; it leaves Abey's lane, and crosses his meadow and Stras- burg road to the side hill of the Mine ridge road; soil, loam, clay, and gravel 4,926 14

Mile 29th. Is traced on the side hill of the Mine ridge; the line recrosses, the Strasburg road, the slide slopes vary from 3º to 9º are principally wooded; soil, easy of excavation 4,926 14

Mile 1st to 29th-Total $119,350 51

For superintendence, &c. 11,935 05

Total amount $131,285 56

In comparing the estimate of last year with the one now submitted, the cost per mile of road forming is greater in the latter than the former, but the shortening of the distance between Columbia and the Gap, makes a material difference in the cost of the other contingent parts of the rail-way.

The excess of this item in the old estimate, is 41,505 dollars 36 cents; to which add the road forming 81,049 dollars 13 cents, and the amount is 122,554 dol- lars 49 cents, giving the excess 3,204 dollars 49 cents, a sum probably sufficient to complete that portion of the line between the engine plane and canal basin at Colum- bia, not included in this estimate.

On referring to the maps, it will be perceived that the profile of the whole line has been minutely ascertained. All which is respectfully submitted. JOHN WILSON, Engineer.

Sadsbury Township, Lancaster County, August 15, 1828.

Report and estimate on the continuation of the Pennsylva- niu Railway from the Gap to Philadelphia, by JOHN WILSON, Engineer.

TO THE BOARD OF CANIL COMMISSIONERS OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Gentlemen-Having reported in August last, in con- formity with your instructions, upon the location of

PENNSYLVANIA RAIL-WAY.

[FEBRUARY

that portion of the Pennsylvania rail road, between the Mine Ridge and Susquehanna river, and having desig- nated it as the western division, I have now the honour to lay before the board, a continuation of the same, in relation to the location of the eastern division of that road, accompanied with various plans and drawings il- lustrative of the operation, to which I shall refer.

Having brought to the view of the board the subject of an experimental line then in progress, (which had for its object the establishment of two inclined planes one to attain the elevation of the ground at the Gap of Mine Ridge without a deep cutting, and the other to" descend into the Chester valley, in the neighbourhood of Coatsville, and there form a connexion with the. ex- plored line of last year;) the surveys and investigations involving the question of comparative expense and fa- cility of transportation, between this route and the one formerly reported upon, were soon completed. The difference of distance between the latter and the route of the present location, is of little account, and the dif- ference of expense would not compensate for maintain- ing and keeping in repair the steam engines.

I now proceed to describe briefly the route of the rail-way location, commencing at the termination of the 29th mile from Columbia. A reference to the general plan No. 2, will assist in explaining the course of the line.

The graduated line enters the ground at the Gap of Mine Ridge, a few chains from its place of beginning; its greatest depth from the apex of the ridge is 35 9-10 feet, and the length of excavation is 42 chains. From different borings made on this section, there is nothing to apprehend from rock. The slopes on each side of the ridge will afford the advantage of using temporary rail- ways as a means for the removal of the carth; and their application in the various cuttings and embankments upon the line, will have the effect of reducing the ex- pense of road formation.

From the termination of the Gap excavation to Moore's mill, the line is traced over the same ground described in former reports. It crosses the branch of Octorara from which the mill derives its supply of water, very fa- vourably for a bridge; and after winding along the slopes of the steep side hill of that creek, it enters the great valley of Chester, near the woollen factory of Noble, Esq. ; hence it is traced on the southern side of North Valley hill to the eastern branch of Octo- rara creek, which the line crosses below Cloud's mill dam. Continuing on the same side of the valley hill, and passing through the lands of Messrs. Watkins, Mc- Gray, Philips, Boyd, and others, it attains a summit in Smith's field, (being the dividing ridge between the waters of Susquehanna and Delaware rivers, ) beyond the Cochraneville road; and thence. crosses over to the. northern side slope of the south valley hill, from whence it is traced on very favourable ground, intersecting in its course Buek run, below the mill of J. Truman, and the West Chester road, and finally attains the summit ridge dividing Buck run and Little Brandywine, beyond the residence of G. Israel, Esq.

At the position where Buck run is crossed, it was thought expedient to make the attempt to leave Ches- ter valley, by following the valley of that water course. A line was accordingly traced along the margin of its southern bank for two miles, which passed. over rugged and uneven ground, and was finally abandoned. Were it practicable to have located the route of a rail-way fol- lowing the course of Buck run, and keeping a direction south of West Chester, towards the Schuylkill and Phi- ladelphia, it would have afforded great advantages to an important manufacturing country; but the circuitous nature of the line, (rendered so from the great irregu- larities and unevenness of the surface, ) and the expense of construction, caused me to desist from making any further examinations in this section of country.

Returning to the summit near G. Israel's, which is in- tended to be depressed 33 feet, the rail-way line in-

clines northwardly towards the North Valley hill, crosses on the dividing ridge, the Wilmington road, and passes west of Hope's dwelling-house; thence east- wardly on gentle sloping ground of the Valley hill, and is traced without varying much from that direction un- til it crosses West Brandywine, a few chains north of Coatesville; whence it proceeds to the ridge separating the waters of the West from the East Brandywine, de- signated in my former report as "Gardiner's summit."

While the Joeating party were advancing with their line of demarcation, and after the exploring party had completed all the requisite examinations to Gardiner's ~ ridge, the latter were directed to explore a new line from that summit proceeding towards Downingstown, on the south side of the valley, and. to endeavour after passing over West Brandywine to reach the south val- ley side hill, with such a level as would enable them at a maximum rate of graduation, to cross the ridge through any of the chasms which might offer the least expense in constructing the rail-way.

The first experimental line was graded to the Bran- dywine, to a position north of Downingstown, and which offered a favourable place for crossing that water course. In extending this line eastwardly, however, it was found to be unfavourable for our purpose.

Upon examining the ground to the south of where the Lancaster turnpike passes Brandywine, another posi- tion favourable for crossing presented itself; and having transferred our former level to it, we commenced trac- ing a line to the summit ridge at Baldwin's, which of- fered no impediment to the construction of a rail-way; (see position B. on map.) and from whence after cross- ing the valley creek, south of Baldwin's mill, the gradu- ation was extended along the slope of the south valley hill, and finally terminated at the "pass" marked C. (see map,) which is nearly opposite to the 21 mile stone from Philadelphia on the Lancaster turnpike.

The results of these various examinations were not completed until the location, which was steadily ad- vancing upon the old route, ) had reached a position east from the white horse summit.

As the explorations made last year from this summit, with a view to find (by the nearest and most eligible route to Philada. ) a position from which we could leave Chester valley were very unsatisfactory, and having fully ascertained the practicabillty of locating a favourable line for the rail-way, upon the south side of the valley from Coatesville, to the point (C.) already noticed, I therefore did not hesitate to discontinue the location up- on the old route, and to direct a minute and accurate location of the new.

While this was in progress a position marked D. (on, map) was assumed (in Thomas' field, between the Turnpike and Boot road, ) in extension of the graded line from the pass C. and from which we proceeded with the location of the rail-way eastward, in a direction towards the Green Tree tavern; and keeping upon the . ridge dividing the waters of the valley and Crum creeks, and crossing the Lancaster turnpike, it inclines more northerly on the same ridge, and recrosses the turnpike at Paoli tavern: from thence it proceeds eastwardly and again crosses the turnpike in front of the General Jack- son tavern; it then runs nearly parallel with that road for a mile further, and passes to the south side of the same at Mrs. Robisons; thence through lands of Van- leer, Porter, and Carter, it enters the ground in I. Reese's field, leaving his barn to the left, and passing under the turnpike, follows by an easy curve the most favourable ground to the rear of the 'Spring tavern; from whence it takes a more eastwardly direction, in order to avoid the high ridge near the Lamb Tavern, which it leaves to the left. It is then traced through lands of Taylor, Weatherby, Kennedy, and Mrs. Henderson, and passes to the northern side of the turnpike; proceeding to the summit in Mrs. Grove's field, which lies north of the. Spread Eagle Tavern .- Leaving the latter summit the surface of which is below the line of rail-way, the road.

1829.]

PENNSYLVANIA RAIL-WAY.

is located on lands of Edward Siter and John Pusey, thence passing through Mrs. Abram's orchard, it pro- ceeds towards the residence of Benjamin Mould, which it leaves to the right; and after crossing the ravine east - of his house, it is traced on gentle sloping ground through lands of Richard Kimber, Lemuel. George, and A. Lewis, thence crossing the road which leads to the Gulph Mills, the rail-way is continued without much de- viation from the explored line of last year, to the sum- mit in Rudolph's field, which is about 19 feet above the bed of the road.

Proceeding in a southwardly course from Rudolph's through the property of Messrs. Curwin and Thomas, it approaches the turnpike, and after crossing it near the toll gate, about nine miles from Philadelphia, it still keeps its southwardly direction, leaving the Union Ta- vern, (Balm's) to the left, and bending northwardly re- crosses the turnpike about half a mile east of the Buck Tavern; from whence it runs nearly in a direction with the old Lancaster road, on the ridge dividing the wa- ters of Cobb's creek and Schuylkill river, leaving that road at the seven mile stone, which is the position at which the surveys and estimates of last year terminated.

Thence the line is traced across the flat rock bridge road, and bending eastwardly through the lands of Mr. George, passes near Hoffman's house, and keeps its eastwardly direction to the lane leading to Mr. George's house; thence through his fields passing north of his barn, it proceeds to the position E. on the general plan, north of the residence of the late Judge Peter's; thence descending by an inclined plane of about 180 feet, crosses at a favourable place the Schuylkill river, and enters the bed of the old Union canal.

Following the bed of that canal to a position east of the Bush Hill establishment, it curves southwardly, and enters Broad street at its intersection with Callowhill street, proceeding down the centre of the foriner, it crosses Vine street, and terminates conformably to the law within the limits of Philadelphia.

The located distance between the head of the inclin- ed plane in Columbia, and the south side of Vine street in Philadelphia, is 82 miles and 8 tenths; and by the explored line of last year which terminated at the seven mile stone on the old Lancaster road, the distance from the Susquehanna to that point, including bridges, was 85 miles and 66 hundreds; add to the latter the exten- sion to Vine street, and it makes a difference between it, and the actual location, of 8 miles and 95 hundreds. ?

It is 793 miles from our place of beginning on the Susquehanna to Schuylkill river, and the distance be- tween the two inclined planes is 78 miles 88 hundreds.

Various examinations and experimental lines were traced southerly between the position at Benjamin Maul's, and the seven mile stone on the old Lancaster road. These were undertaken with a view to find a more favourable route by which we could approach the Schuylkill, than the one now located; but in every instance that an attempt was made to leave the ridge dividing the waters of the Schuylkill and Delaware ri- vers, the country became either exceedingly broken and intersected by ravines, or, its surface depressed too. rapidly for our graduations. From some of the positions, and with the aid of two inclined planes and stationary. steam engines, the level portion of country lying south of the present location, might be passed over, and a dif- ferent direction given to the course of the rail-way; but it was considered more advantageous, even with a rea- sonable increase of distance, to limit the application of steam power to the two points upon the line already noticed in this report.

The different horizontal curvatures on the eastern division, vary in their radii from 541 to 1891 feet; the curves which were traced by the smaller radius were but seldom adopted; and in the final opening and grad- ing of the road, many of these may be considerably im- proved, without much additional increase to the cost of road formation.

In referring to those sections on the maps where the trace of the rail-way exhibits a serpentine character, we do not increase the distance thereby, so much as might be expected.

It is assumed that the whole distance between Broad street in Philadelphia, and Columbia, on the Susquehan- na river, by the rail-way, is only increased (1-10) one- tenth part beyond the nearest and most direct public roads between those places. Some sections of consider- able extent do not vary much from the travelled road; but the mean increase of every ten miles is about one mile.

To elucidate this by an example, I will observe that from our level picket No. 159 (see map) which is nearly opposite to the twelve (12) mile stone on the Lancaster turnpike (which is thirteen miles from Broad street; the distance from thence, following the serpent- ine course of the rail-way to the intersection of the line at Callowhill and Broad streets is 14 miles and 24 chains; the difference between the two being precisely in pro- portion to the excess already stated; the whole of the comparative increase occurs between the picket already referred to and the seven (7) mile stone on the old Lan- caster road; for, from the latter position to Broad street, our located distance is rather shorter than the extent of that road to the same street.

Such farther information as may be deemed necessary to be laid before the board for their satisfaction, will be communicated after the estimate, which is now sub- mitted.

ESTIMATE

Of Eastern Division of Pennsylvania Rail-way, com- mencing at western end of cut at Gap (in Mine ridge) and terminating at intersection of Broad and Vine sts. Philadelphia.

Cost per Mile.

Mile 30th. The beginning of this mile pierces the Mine ridge at Gap depth, at apex 35 9-10 feet-from soundings taken, the cut- ting will be clear of rock, after leaving the cut it passes over good ground, crossing a small stream, and ends near R. Moore's dwel- ling 1

$17,184 25

Mile 31st. Passes over undulating ground consisting of short cuttings of easy excavation and embankments; soil, loam and clay .- Crosses and re-crosses Newport turnpike

3,833 00

Mile 32d. Is traced over undulating ground of easy excavation, and terminates on south side of Moore's mill-dam, which is crossed by a balustrade bridge. (Bridge at Moore's, 472 feet, 2,615 93)

4,408 81

Mile 33d. Is located along a rough side hill, encountering ledges of rock and loose stone -

3,747 32

Mile 34th. The first part of this mile pass- es over smooth sloping ground, then crosses Octorara creek with a considerable excava- tion on cach side, and turning a point of North valley ridge, enters the Great valley of Chester county. (Bridge at Clouds, 452 feat, 2,605 36)

Mile 35th. Is traced along the gentle side hill of North valley ridge. Soil, clay, and sand stone

Mile 36th. Passes over slightly undulating side hill until it reaches Forree's ridge, then crosses the Valley on the west side of a ridge, dividing the waters of Delaware and Susquehanna rivers, (Smith's ridge. ) Soil, clay and loam , 2,168 48

Mile 37th. At the commencement of this mile, the line pierces Smith's ridge; soil, casy of excavation; it then proceeds to the South Valley hill, along which it is traced on

5,139 20

878 68

PENNSYLVANIA RAIL-WAY.

ÉFEBRUARY

on gentle sloping ground, and ends on east side of ravine, which is crossed by a ba- lustrade bridge.

Excavation at Smith's Ridge on 31.40 chains, av. depth 9.6 ft. 25,860 cubic yards, at 6 cents 2,327 40 Side excavation on 26 chains, 862 c. yds. at 6 cents 51 72

Excavation on 1.23 chains, av. depth 4.1 feet, 3841 cubic yards at 8 cents 307 28

Embankment at both ends of bridge on 3.37 chains, 1356 c. yards at 10 cents - -

135 60 Bridge over ravine, 289 feet . 1948 78

4,770 78

Mile 38th. Is traced along a gentle s'op- ing side hill, and ends on east side of a ra- vine, passed with a balustrade bridge; soil, micaceous, slate. (Bridge 302 feet, 2019 82)

Mile 39th. Is located on a rough side hill, and passes Buck run with a truss bridge, where it leaves the valley, then crossing W. Chester road, pierces Buck run and Bran- dywine summit 33 feet; this cutting was im- perfectly sounded; but has the appearance of containing limestone.

Excavation of 10.39 chains, av. depth 9.4 ft. 8.356 cubic yards at 8 cents - -

668 48

Embankment at east and west end of Buck run bridge, on 2.09 chains, 1136 cubic yards at 10 cents - 113 60

Excavation on 9.85 chains, av. depth 15.4 feet, 15,071 cubic yards at 8 cents 1205 68

Excavation on 16.30 chains, and filling at West Chester road, 2542 cubic yards at 7 cents 177 94

Cutting at Buck run and Brandy- wine summit on 30.61 chains, greatest depth 33 ft. av. depth 18} ft. 60,413 cubic yards, at 13 cents 7,853 69 Bridge over Buck run, 472 feet, 11,898 56 Culvert 3 feet - 60 00

21,977 95

Mile 40th. Re-crosses the Great Valley along the east side of Buck run summit, and gains the south side of the Northern Valley i hill, after which it is traced upon favourable ground; soil, loam and loose stones 1,529 80

Mile 41st. The line is located along side hill of North Ridge, over undulating ground; soil, same as last

2,029 30

Mile 42d. Commences at Fistler's still house, and is traced on favourable sloping ground to Rock run, which it passes with a balustrade bridge, after which the ground is undulating: crosses Philadelphia and Lancas- ter pike; soil, loam. (One bridge of 152 ft. at Rock run 1,252 90)

4,439 81

31,197 18

1,031 99

414 00

ground. Crosses a small run with a culvert. Soil same as last 559 06

Mile 47th. Located on similar ground to the last-crosses two small runs 617 03

Mile 48th. This section near commence- ment passes through Gallagher's ridge at Gallagherville, (lime stone at 5 feet below surface, ) then is traced for a few chains on favourable ground, after which it pierces a ridge of solid lime stone, depth 7.3 feet, and ends near a small run -

1,624 67

Mile 49th. Is located generally on very good ground, piercing a small ridge 7 2-10 feet, (rock at 23 feet, ) until it reaches J. Hunt's ridge, which it passes 22 feet under; ends near centre of Brandywine bridge- crosses Philadelphia and Lancaster turnpike. (Bridge over the Big Brandywine 1,413 feet 14,684 22) 1

16,980 70

Mile 50th. Passes Big Brandywine with a bridge partly truss and partly balustrade, after which it crosses a hollow requiring an- other bridge. Then is traced on favourable sloping ground. (Bridge over ravine 363 feet, 2,194 24)

3,158 10

Mile 51st. Is traced at commencement on favourable ground, then enters Baldwin's ridge 26 feet under (lime stone rock at 14 feet ) terminates at end of point of solid rock which is pierced at 16-6 feet in depth, both affording good building stone.

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The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 25

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1828 Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ; Number of Pages: 440

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440