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 30

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 30

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The whole length of this reach is about a mile, and as it makes a very deep inflexion in the line, with a consi- derable increase of its neat length, I was induced to ex- amine the mountain transversely, with reference to the practicability of a tunnel, by which this circuitous bend, and a part at least of the difficult construction at the base of the mountain, might be avoided. The result proved more favourable than I expected. It was discovered, that at a little more than six hundred yards from the be- ginning of the laurel region, and about nine hundred from the end, a line of only 266 yards would reach through the mountain to the flats on the opposite side; which, by a conformation at this particular point, afforded a choice of levels and the most favourable ground almost at the very base of the rocks. The species of the rock, as already 'observed, is limestone and slate, of which the latter appears predominant; and it may be added, that from the order and position of the strata, it is ex- tremely improbable that any other kind of rock will be - met with in the excavation of a tunnel at this place.

The expense of excavating a tunnel under such circum- stances, it is not difficult to calculate. It requires nci- ther shofts, shoaring, or lining, and to many of the inci- dental difficulties and expenses, therefore, of an ordi- nary tunnel, it is wholly unexposed. The cubic quan- tity of the excavation and the price per yard, sufficient- ly augmented to cover all the difficulty of excavating in a confined situation, furnish at once, and with certainty, the most important item in the estimate. The expense of rock excavation, under such circumstances, including its removal along the drift to an extreme distance of ninety yards, has been taken at one dollar per cubic yard, by the United States board of engineers in the case of the Chesapeake and Ohio canals. The excava- tion in the deep cut at Lock Port, which is an extreme - ly hard lime stone, and in a situation almost as confined as a tunnel, cost $1 75 per cubic yard. The tunnel on the Schuylkill navigation, through a hard slate rock re- quiring blast, cost $2 00 per cubic yard; that on the Union canal, also in slate, a few cents more, and the same kind of rock, in the open air, 50 cents per yard, - This last fact gives the ratio of tunnel excavation, to that in the open air in the case of the Union tunnel as 4 to 1, which agrees very nearly with results furnished by the tunnel at Manch Chunk, if we reduce the drifts to the same length, which we must remark is a greater one than will be required at Walpack bend.

The excavation of the rocks at Walpack bend, in the open air, cannot reasonably be estimated, according to

1829.]

CANAL DOCUMENTS.

103

prices paid elswhere on the Pennsylvania canals, at more than 50 cents per cubic yard, and it might safely be in- ferred therefore, from what has been stated that the ex- cavations in the tunnel would not exceed 2 dollars per cubic yard; for the greater certainty however, I have taken it in the estimate at $2 50.

The dimensions proposed for this tunnel are 15 feet average height, and a width of five feet in addition to the width of a lock; that is, 16 feet for the large canal and 14 for the small. Four feet of this width in either case, to be occupied by a wooden gallery for the tow- ing path, supported on wrought iron staunchers, and bolted to the side of the tunnel. This will suffice without recesses for the passage of one buat at a time, which is abundantly sufficient, considering that the whole length ofthe drift is scarcely equal to the Roch- ester aqueduct. With these measures, and the rate per yard as above, and making allowances equally liberal, for the other items of the construction, it will be seen by the comparative estimate hereafter given, that a saving of nearly nine thousand dollars will still be accomplished on the large canal & 600 on the small one, by taking the tunnel route in preference to that round the point; and in distance a mile and a quarter. I have not hesitated therefore, in presenting this as the proper location, but that the purposes ofthe board may be answered under every possible view of the case, I have also given a location and estimate for the route round the bend.

5th. From Walpack Bend to Broadhead's creek.

There are a mile and a half of bluff's and sidelings in this division requiring slope wall, &c. of which 650 yds. contain ledges of limestone in different proportions. - The construction in these cases, however, does not ma- terially differ from that generally employed, except that the terrace is more exclusively exterior to the face of the present slopes. The quantity of terrace work is thus increased, and in some instances also the price a little enhanced by the less facility of procuring earth; but on the other hand the ledges of rock afford the ma- terial for slope walling at a more easy rate, and in this way probably reduce the aggregate expense in all ordi- nary cases, to about the same as for other slopes. There are also in addition to the above, about 1200 yards of sideling ground, on which slope wallis avoided by cut- tings, generally of moderate depth, but in one instance amounting on a short distance, and with very easy dig- ging, to 26 feet. Small proportions of limestone are contained in about 300 yards of the bluffs last mention- ed.

No other constructions worthy of note occur on this sub-division, the generality of the remainder consists of fine level flats similar to those above Bushkill, already described.

6th. Crossing Broadhead's creek.

This is done by a wooden aqueduct and embankment across the Flats. There is so little fall in the creek from the crossing place to its mouth, that it would bring the canal within the range of the Delaware floods to lock down and cross with a dam as at Bushkill, and to cross by this means, without locking down would be in- expedient in many points of view, and much more ex- pensive than an aqueduct. A feeder dam is propos- ed about 400 yards above the aqueduct, and a line of- feeder to intersect the canalat the south end of the em- bankment.

About 700 yds. from the embankment of Broadhead's creek, the line crosses Cherry creek by a culvert or a- queduct of stone. Ledges of limestone border this creek on the south side, and for a short distance the line is partially excavated in that rock.

7th. The Water Gap.

This is well known on the passage of the Delaware through the Blue ridge. At its entrance from the north it presents a range of high mural precipices almost at the water's edges; but these recedc after about 400 yards,

and the mountain assumes a natural slope, composed of a mixture of sand-stone fragments and earth, with a na :- row irregular border of alluvion along its base. Towards the lower extremity, the rock re-appears in places and again forms a shore of a steep and rugged character. Total length of the pass about 2500 yards.

The construction of a canal through this gap will be nearly after the same manner as at Walpack and other places, where ledges of rocks occur. In the north part, where the rocks are in mass and of great hardness, it will probably be attended with somewhat greater ex- pense, and so also on a portion near the south end, but with these exceptions, the line through the Gap will as- suredly be less expensive than along the mountain at the Walpack; the slope is more gentle, the rocks more in loose fragments, and the proportion of the earth much more considerable.

8th. From the Water Gap to Long Rift.

This comprehends no species of construction that has not alrerdy been described. About 1,900 yards of Bluffs occur, requiring terrace; but of which only one reach of 800 yards, at the end of the fiftieth mile, is any way re- markable either for height or continuous extent.

No rock worthy of notice, and the remainder of the route favorable, with the exception of a few slight cut- tings amounting to about 1000 yards in all.

9th. Long Rift.

The bluffs at this place differ from those heretofore described it being composed wholly of slate. The ledges of which rise rather precipitously to a height of from 20 to 80 feet, and then pass off with a more gradual slope and covering of soil. A broad waterworn shelf of the same rock skirts along the base, at 4 or 5 feet above the water, and forms a substantial foundation for the con- struction of the canal, except along the southern part of the range which is formed by the alternation of rocky points of 10 or 12 feet in height, with pools of water.

The construction of the line along the higher parts of this bluff, will have to be chiefly exterior, unless these points should be chosen in quarrying stone for the slopes. Along the less elevated portions, it may be formed in the ordinary manner of earthy slopes, and often with almost as little labour.

The entire length of the bluff including a short dis- tance on which the rock disappears, is about a mile.

10th. Foul Rift.

The shore opposite this reef is a bold, though not very elevated precipice of lime stone, and this descrip- tion, connected with the known character of the rapid, will at once suggest the motive for a construction,by ex- cavating from above, rather than terracing from below. For this purpose the levels are retained, from the foot of the 18th lock, four miles above, and thus a height gained by which the depth of cutting is reduced to a- bout 12 feet in the deepest place; and the total extent of cutting in which rock predominated to about 600 yds. To pass this with as little expense as possible, it is pro- posed to excavate the canal, as far as the rock extends without slopes: retaining the same bottom breadth as elswhere. The decent of the ground immediately after passing these ledges produces an unusual assemblage of locks at this place; three being placed in rapid suc- cession, and a fourth, a short distance down the flat.

11th. From Foul Rift to the Wygaat.

The proportion of bluffs on this part of the line, is rather greater, for the distance, than any heretofore de- scribed; but as they involve no different mode of con- struction, it will not be necessary to notice them partic- ularly. The whole extent of terrace work required is about two miles and a quarter, of which half a mile is rocky. There are also besides this, about 300 yards of steep rocky sideling near Martin's creek, where the line is formed by an excavation and embankment, sup- ported in part by a rough masonry wall. A small por- tion of rock cutting also occurs in some parts of the line not included in the preceding.

104

CANAL DOCUMENTS.

[FEBRUARY

A wide stone culvert will be required for the passage of Martin's creek.

12th. From the Wygaat to Easton.

The construction of a canal on this remaining fraction of the route, will depend essentially upon the views that may be adopted with regard to the Delaware dam .- Should such a dam be constructed in the vicinity of Easton, and of a sufficient height to serve as a feeder for the lower section of the Delaware canal, at its pre- sent assumed level, it would back up in time of low wa- ter, about 4} feet at the foot of the Wygaat rapid. In this case, the canal should be locked down just above the Wygaat mountain, and continued by a well protect- ed tow-path along the margin of the lake thus formed. No difficulty would be experienced in graduating the level of the tow path, to the range of high & low water, as that range would probably be diminished at least one half by the construction of the dam. At the Bushkill, a comparatively slight bridge only would be necessary for the accommodation of the tow-path; and from that to the mouth of the Lehigh, the connexion would be formed by a succession of piers and bridges passing near- ly in a direct line under the Delaware bridge. This would admit the formation of basins in connexion with the canal, between the tow-path and Water street, which would have also an uninterrupted communication with the river at large. But should a different plan be adopt- ed with regard to the dam, so as not to back up the wa- ter in the manner described, the mode of construction for the up-river canal would be essentially different. In case the line, after a single lockage at the Wygaat would be terraced round the the point of that mountain, and along the rocky sidelings between that and Easton, in the manner already explained for cases of this kind. It would then require a substantial aqueduct across the Bushkill, and an embankment along the front of the town, at least one lift higher than the surface of water in the former case, to secure it against the freshes of the river, and finally locking down into the head basin of the lower canal. This although it might be equally convenient for the inhabitants of Easton, as regards the trade of the canal above, would interrupt in some de- gree their communications with the river; and I need not add, that it would be much more expensive than the other construction. By the comparative estimate given in the subsequent part of this report, it will be seen that the difference of expense will be $21,565, if a small canal be adopted, and $26,902, in the case of a large canal; and as I am not aware of any countervailing argument of equal weight, I have adopted the basin lo- cation as the basis of my calculations. The parallel lo- cation and estimate however, will furnish all necessary information in case this view should not be approved by the Board.

The total length of the line thus described, is 66 miles and 126 rods, and the total lockage from the dam at Pe- ter's Rift, to the level of the lower canal, 259 feet and a very small fraction. The total length of sidelings and bluffs, requiring any particularity of construction is 13} miles; of this four miles are passed by cuttings of various depths, generally moderate, viz. 1200 yards in limestone ledges and the residue in earth. The remaining nine and a half miles are terraced, viz. three and a half miles along rocky slopes and six along those of clay ground, &c. These measures of course do not include the 900 yards of rocky slope avoided by the tunnel, nor the rocky sidelings between the Wygaat and Easton, avoid- ed by the basin location. The remainder of the route, nearly 53 miles in length, consists chiefly of arable flats, very favourable in point of levels and soil.

Estimate. -

In the following estimate the quantity and cost of ev- ery species of construction, including tools, is exhibited for each mile separately.

The quantities of excavation have been minutely cal- culated for every variation of the transverse section in

each mile; and the prices per cubic yard, are inferred from the actual excavation of similar soils in the vicinity, or elsewhere, on the Pennsylvania canals, viz. for earth, as loam, clay, gravel, &c. from 7 to 10 cents; for rocky soil, from 12 to 25 cents; and for rocks of lime stone and hard slate, 40 to 50 cents; embankment 12 to 20 cents. The locks are estimated according to the prices of ma- terials and workmanship, at 496 dollars per foot for the 9 feet locks, and at 576 dollars per foot for those of 11 feet. Culverts, estimated in like mariner, are taken at 250 to 300 dollars for those of the smallest size; 450, for those of 5 feet; 650, for those of 8 feet, and larger sizes in proportion. Wooden constructions are only used as culverts or aqueducts when the situation does not admit of arching slope walls, for out-side slopes, are taken at 30 to 60 cents per square yard, according to the facility of procuring stone; and for inside slopes, at 12 and 15 cents. Puddling 25 cents per cubic yard. Bridges, from 200 to 300 dollars cach. Fencing, 240 dollars per mile. Grubbing, from 480 to960 dollars, Roads, from 6 to 9 dollars per perch.

ESTIMATE. The dam at Peters' Rift.

Waster 600 feet long with a curvature of 20 feet up stream, to be built of crib work, filled in with stone and finished with hewn timber, laid close in the thread of the stream with slopes up and down. The up-stream slope to have a uniform base of 18 feet, and to be well puddled and gravelled :- that down stream to have a base of 30 feet at the wings and 50 in the middle- height of the lip 9 feet above lowest water at the wings, and 73 in the middle. Abutments to be of good mason- ry, filled up with gravel, 20 feet high and 48 feet up and down stream, with wings of masonry above and slope wall below-Estimate viz:

Small Canal. $11,335 00

Large Canal. same.

1st Mile commencing with a guard lock at the dam; continues along shore 50 yards, and then rounds into its direction with an extreme of 11 feet, cutting above water line, which runs down to surface, cutting at 780 yards. Lock No. 1, at 1000 yards from the guard lock; fine flats of san- dy loam; very easy digging,

2d Mile continues in the same course with the preceding, near the foot of the high-land. Gen- erally a level flat and easy dig- ging,

3d Mile inclines towards the. second bank, and begins to cut in near the end. Generally easy digging; rather gravelly towards the end, #

4th Mile. Extra cutting on the first half mile, along the brow of the bank; extreme depth 9 feet above water, remainder favora- ble, except heavy embankment at crossing Quick's tail race, easy digging,

5th Mile passes along the face of a moderate second bank, one thousand yards, then locks down and keeps the flat to the end. Stones on the first part; light sandy loam on the last,

6th Mile passes wholly through fine arable flats, lock No. 3 near the beginning; soil, light sandy loam,

7th Mile. The first one thou- sand yards pass along the face of

14,796 30 17,369 80

4,824 80 5,300 00

3,304 50 4,000 20

9,516 00 10,754 00

8,688 44 10,194 80

8,173 20 9,463 20

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CANAL DOCUMENTS.

103

Small Canal.

Large Canal.

the Milford Bluffs, requiring ter- race and slope wall, except a small part near the Vandemark; cuts into the point of the bluff near the south end; dam at Saw- kill, with a waste of 60 feet in 2 sections and extreme height of 16; slight extra cutting near the end of the mile; soil gravelly,

8th Mile takes the slope of the second bank back of Judge Brinks', and continues.it to the end. Soil generally easy dig- ging, with a mixture of gravel in places,

9th Mile. Extra cutting on a . short distance near the begin- ning; passes close in front of W .. Brink's barn, and thence makes a straight course, with ordinary cutting through a fine arable flat; very easy digging; light loam,

10th Mile continues on a line with the preceding, very nearly. to the crossing of Ramyskill, and so passes 60 yards east of the present Bridge. Lock No. 4, north side of Ramyskill, gradu- ates the line to the crossing level; Jock No. 5 near the end of the mill. Slight extra cutting at the point of hill, south of Ramyskill; arable flats, light loam,

11th Mile continues near the foot of the upland, on favourable ground, to 700 yards, the begin- ning of Cave Bank; thence ter- race and slope wall to the end. Clay Toam on the first part, loose, indurated elay on the last,

16,794 40 18,218 40

12th Mile. Bluff bank contin- ues 880 yards, the line then cuts in with an extra cutting of 11 ft. above water, to which runs to surface cutting near the end of the mile. Soil of the bank light sand, inclining to wash; sandy loam on the last part, and very casy digging.

13th Mile closes on the up- slope, and cuts in at 500 yards, then moderate extra cutting on the brow and face of the general slope to the end; soil on the first part light loam, then stoney,

14th Mile. Three hundred yards same as the preceding, then fine arable flats for 1200 yds; Bround then becomes sideling, & requires slope wall on a small portion near the end; soil, light loam with some gravel; stoney near the end,

15th Mile. Slope wall conti- nues to 150 yards. The line then gains the flats, with slight extra cutting, and continues on favora- ble ground to the end, except an embankment at Dingman's cr'k; soil, sandy loam,

16th Mile, Descends by lock No. 6, to a lower level, and pas- ses wholly through fine arable flats; soil, sandy loam,

17th Mile passes wholly thro' VOL. III 14

Small

Large Canal.

fine arable flats, to the right bank of Hornbeck's brook; soil, san- dy loam,

6,065 20

6,756 80

18th Mile continues through flats; soil, sandy loam; eloses up- on the second bank near the end, and becomes gravelly

3,404 00 4,220 20

19th Mile passes round a bluff bank, with terrace and slope wall 400 yards, then deep cutting the same distance, from 23 to 12 ft. above water, small embankment at Daniel Hornbeck's, and then flats to the end; soil, sandy and sandy loam-very easy .

20th Mile. Ground on part of the distance slightly rolling; soil, light loam

4,368 80

4,805 60

21st Mile. Passes on to the wheat plains-fine arable flats -. Lock No. 7 near the end. Sandy loam; very easy

7,490 00

8,896 00

22d Mile. Continuation of the wheat plains-soil as before- Lock No. 8 near the beginning, 23d Mile. Flats generally of the same character except nar- rower on the first part. sandy loam and gravel, Soil,

7,593 20

8,955 80

24th Mile. Flats to 360 yards from the end, the line then closes to the up-slope on the line of the present road; soil, sandy loam, except at the end, which is indu- rated clay and soil

3,200 60 3,878 20

25th Mile. Continues near foot of up-slope, and in part on the line of the present road to 350 yards from the end Flat barely sufficient for the canal on part of the distance-wider near the end -Sandy loam & indurated elay, 4,181 60

26th Mile passes through fine flats to the crossing of Bushkill. Lock No. 9 at the north end of the dam; waste weir of stone, average 12 feet high, 50 yards long in five sections. Embank- ment 330 yards, running 240 on to the next mile

27th Mile. From the guard loek at the Bushkill dam 610 yards to the beginning of Green- land, ground not unfavourable, then steep rocky sideling to the entrance of the tunnel 640 yds. Tunnel 266 yards long-Rocks, limestone and slate. [Tunnel, &c. $19,408 00.]

28th Mile. Passes nearly in a straight line along the foot of the mountain, on the south side- Deep cut at the mouth of the tunnel, otherwise favourable throughout. Loam and small gravel

29th Mile. Closes to a steep slope, and passes 340 yards on face of limestone bluff with ter- race and slope wall, then passes on to the flat with slight extra cutting partially in rock. The remainder favourable - -

30th Mile. Limestone ledges on the first three hundred yards,

14,038 60 15,321 40

7,437 50

9,269 00

6,275 60

7,459 60

8,900 30

9,852 30

8,282 00

9,882 30

Canal.

21,620 00 24,452 00

4,527 20

5,554 40

3,815 60

4,372 80

16,075 60 18,493 60

14,692 00 16,412 40

4,126 00

5,124 40

4,628 00

41,219 70 47,338 45

4,836 00 5,652 00

9,749 00· 11,672 00

16,325 20 17;658 80

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CANAL DOCUMENTS.

[FEBRUARY

Small Canal.

Large Canal.

Small Canal.

Large Canal.

the remainder favourable. Soil, gravelly loam

31st Mile. Locks down near the beginning, and runs' on fa- vonrable flats to the end. Soil, sandy loam -

32d Mile. Passes wholly thro' flats of the most favourable cha- racter; lock No. 11 near the be- ginning; soil, sandy loam,

33d Mile. Favourable flats to 1260 yards, then bluff bank and terrace to the end, sandy loam, gravelly near the end

34th Mile. Continues along the bluff, with narrow strip of flat below the level, 300 yards, then cuts in for half a mile, ex- treme depth 22 ft. above water, then steep sideling with terrace to the end; soil sandy and sandy loam -

14,511 60

16,059 60

35th Mile. Commences at the base of the up slope, but runs on to the flat at 250 yards, and has favourable ground to 1450 yds. then rocky bluff for 200 yards, and terminates in flat; lock No. 12 near beginning; sandy soil, 11,864 00

36th Mile. Through flats gene- ally favourable, slight extra cut- ting at Bylenberger's, crosses Vancamp's creek. Sandy-loam 37th Mile. Passes 525 yards of bluff, of which 225 are rocky, the residue in flats and very fa- vourable

38th Mile. 270 yards bluff, then flats to the crossing of Broadhead's creek, which re- quires a wooden aqueduct 240 feet long in - bays, then 250 yards embankment to the high - er flats, which are favourable on the remainder. This section in- cludes also a dam across Broad- head's creek above the aque- duct and 400 yards of feeder,

39th Mile. Crosses Cherry creek, and winds round the face of a rocky hill 350 yards, then 200 yards easy digging to the entrance of the Water Gap, through which the line conti- nues, with terrace and slope wall, to the end. Lock No. 13 at the entrance of the Water Gap

40th Mile. Continucs through the Gap to 70 yds. from the end; soil chiefly loose rocks and earth, -

41st Mile. Leaves the Gap at 70 yards, then slight extra cut- ting on 700, remainder generally favourable; sideling near the end, soil sandy loam

42d Mile. Runs on sidelings, requiring slope wall in part to 800 yards, the remainder flats; soil, clay and gravel on the first part, sandy loam on the last,

43d Mile. Twelve hundred yds. intervale, the remainder side hill intersected with ra-

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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 30

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