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. XII > Part 64
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We have recently travelle.l along the rail road lead- ing from Philadelphia to Germantown, and also on the Pennsylvania rail road, now in the course of construc- tion between Philadelphia and Columbia, on the Sus. quehanna. On the whole of the former, and on a large portion of the latter, the rolled iron edge rail has been adopted. The general plan of forming the foundation of these rails is to sink stone blocks, (each containing about two cubic feet,) at the distance of about three feet from each other, and upou these blocks to fasten cast iron chairs, which receive the lower edges of the rails, and into which they are fastened by suitable wedges. The want of stability in these blocks is already manifest in both these roads, although they are not yet complet- ed, and upon one of them, the Pennsylvania road, loco- motive engines have not yet run. The blocks have in some places sunk so as to render the line of the rail un- dulating to such an extent as to be visible while passing along it. The same circumstances which produce the sinking of the stone sills must operate with equal or greater force in the case of the blocks and chairs. In some places also the rails have been pressed out, and in one instance, at least, on the Germantown road, the rails were so far separated as to allow the wheels of the locomotive engine to fall between them. The numer- ons curves on these roads render the rails much more liable to be pressed out than those on straighter roads, as the flanches of the wheels, when the engines and cars are moving at high velocities, bear with a force which is with difficulty resisted against the outer rail of the curve, and especially at the moment of changing from one curve to another, or from a straight track to a curve.
There is an okl saying that " once well done, is twice done," and although it is much more easy to point out defects than it is to prescribe adequate remedies, it is a thing of high importance in extensive and costly pub- lic works that they should not be disgraced by im- perfections in the mode of executing them. Although the comparative novelty of rail roads as a medium of general intercourse and trade, forbids the supposition
It has been proposed to obviate the foregoing defect by interposing a thin strip of wood, or other yielding | that we have yet acquired a knowledge of the best mode VOL. XII. 28
218
FRANKLIN INSTITUTE.
[OCTOBER
of constructing them, this will not serve as an apology for a perseverance in known and manifest error. The abandonment of three-fourths of the rail roads which have been projected will not be attended by any actual loss, whilst their imperfect construction will not only disappoint the public expectation, but discourage fu- ture undertakings of the kind. The first failure may be the result of inexperience, and be, therefore, alto- gether pardonable, but when the evil and its causes are evident, the course of procedure ought to be changed, in spite of the prejudices of workmen, or the interest of contractors.
The remedies to be applied to obviate or to lessen the defects which have been referred to, must necessarily depend upon the means under the control of the engi- neer, and will therefore differ in different places. Along a large portion of the line of the Pennsylvania rail road, locust timber may be readily obtained, and where the embankments are not very high, blocks of this wood might rest upon broken stone on the original surface of the ground, and extend up to the level of the road; and these posts might, when necessary, have ties from one to another across the track, to prevent their spreading. This timber is the most durable known, and the chairs would be readily affixed to it. Long blocks of stone, like the sills upon which rails have been laid, extending across from one rail to the other, and receiving the chairs for the edge rail, would completely prevent their spreading. This expedient has been resorted to in some places on the Germantown road, the long stones having been used as the joints of the rails, and stone blocks in the intermediate parts.
These remarks are intended as mere hints which may in some cases be made useful, or serve as inducements to the competent engineer, to devise better modes of procedure. The mentioning of a competent engineer, reminds us of one other point essentially connected with the subject in hand, a remark respecting which shall close the present article. We have some gentlemen in our country to whom the foregoing title may be justly applied, but numbers are so dubbed, who have not the slightest claim to the appellation, and, in not a few in stances, the direction of important works has been en- trusted to such men because they might be got cheap. Real talent in this line is never too highly paid for; but a Board of directors will not unfrequently sacrifice hun- dreds of thousands, to save a thousand or two of dollars in an annual salary.
The foregoing remarks have been elicited by what we have recently seen and heard, and are committed to paper during the continuance of the tour in which they have been suggested.
From the Journal of the Franklin Institute of Sept. 1833. FRANKLIN INSTITUTE.
Quarterly Report of the Board of Managers.
In compliance with the requisitions of the constitu- tion, the Board of Managers of the Institute submit their report for the past quarter. Although the quarter has been one of those in which the active operations in the interesting branch of instruction are suspended, it has not been devoid of interest. The preparations for the exhibition of domestic manufactures, to be held in the autumn, the experiment of monthly conversation meet- ings, which has been in progress, the reference of the subject of weights and measures to the Institute, and the transfer of the collections of the Maclurean Lyceum to this society, have added variety to the usual duties and business of the institution.
The committee on premiums and exhibitions hold stated meetings with the committee of arrangement, to mature and execute their plans for the distribution of information to manufacturers and mechanics, in relation to the objects of industry to be exhibited in the coming autumn. By the liberality of the New Castle and Frenchtown Rail Road Company, that committee have been enabled to offer a premium for a successful method
of preventing the escape of sparks from the flues of lo- comotive carriages, in which wood is used as fuel. The company have furnished a brief statement of the plans which had been tried before the offer of the premium, which statement has been communicated to those ap- plying for information to the Institute,
The experiment of monthly conversation meetings, made by direction of the annual meeting of the Insti- tute, has been highly successful. As was anticipated, the absence of formality in these meetings has induced many to contribute to the information of their fellow members who otherwise would hardly have come for- ward, and where no special and avowed communica- tion has been made, interesting remarks and discussions have been engaged in by many who came as listeners only. The months of July and August would be un- favorable to the assemblage, in comfort, of so many persons as frequent these meetings, and the Board re- spectfully recommend their omission during these two months.
By a resolution of the House of Representatives of this state, the Secretary of the Commonwealth was di- rected to refer to the Managers of the Institute, the bill relating to "weights and measures, and to admeasure- ment," with a request that report should be made, in relation to it, at the next session of the legislature. This bill, with the resolution of reference, &c. was received at the meeting of the managers in June last, and refer- red to a committee of nineteen to report to the Board. The names of the committee are appended to this re- port.
The committee on instruction have already commenc- ed a revision of the arrangements of last year, in regard to the several branches thereof. The drawing scho: ] has received particular attention, and will, it is hoped, be materially improved in its organization. The com- mittee have made arrangements to obtain from the pro- fessors, and to furnish to the class, a programme, or outline, of each of the regular courses of lectures.
The managers have made, during the last quarter, an arrangement by which the collections in natural his- tory, books, and other property, of the Maclurean Ly- ceum of this city, have been transferred to the Institute, the members of the Lyceum becoming life members of this association. The entire right of disposal of this property has been vested in the Institute, and a com- mittee has been appointed to effect the transfer of the articles to our Hall. In process of time, it is hoped to exchange such of these articles, as do not come within the scope of our society, for others more directly in- teresting to us, retaining such as will add materially to the interest of our collection of minerals and geological specimens.
The eleventh volume of the Journal of the Institute has been completed by the appearance of the June number. This journal, from the amount and interest of the original matter which it contains, furnished in relation to the patents by theeditor, and in the miscel- laneous matters by occasional correspondents, may, it is believed, stand an advantageous comparison with scientific journals at home, and with those in the same walks abroad. The circulation of this periodical should be anxiously promoted by every member of the Insti- tute: they would thereby aid in diffusing through its means useful information in relation to the mechanic arts, and in general science, and look to an increase of subscribers to produce a diminution in the present price of subscription; in this point of view, each sub- scriber is interested in increasing its circulation.
Committee on Weights and Measures.
A. D. Bache, S. V. Merrick, W. H. Keating, Rufus Tyler, M. W. Baldwin, Benjamin Say, Asa Spencer, Abram. Miller, Thos. P. Jones, M. D., R. M. Patterson, M. D., Sears C. Walker, Benj. Stancliffe, Thos. M'- Enen, M. D., Edmund Draper, David H. Mason, Benj. Reeves, Frederick Fraley, Samuel Moore, Samuel Hains. A. D. BACHE, Chairman.
WILLIAM HAMILTON, Actuary.
1833.]
TRADE OF LAKE ERIE.
219
THERMOMETER IN PHILADELPHIA A. H.
Account of the heat of weather by Thermometer, with the wind, kept in the Philadelphia Alms House.
1833.
Sun rise. 19 A. M.
Mer. or
noon
| 3 P. M.
Remarks.
Sept. 170713
78
180
NE moderate and cloudy.
2 60 62
66
70
NE to NW mod'e. and cloudy.
3 60 62
643
65} NE moderate and cloudy.
4 66.70
728180
S strong breezes and clear.
5 74 763
80% 82
SW strong breezes and clear.
6 71 713
75 78
NW to W, mod'e and clear.
7 68 71
73 71
NE cloudy with rain.
8 64 643
66 66
NE strong breezes with rain.
9,59 61}
65
69
SE moderate and cloudy.
10,64 67
72
71 SW to NW strong, &clou'y, rain.
12 62 62
60
583 NW to NE, some rain.
14 50 55
60
NW, moderate and clear.
16 56 60
65
663 NE, light airs, and clear.
17 58 61
65 69 E. light airs, and clear.
18 64 65
66
673 SSE to SW fresh breezes, rain.
19 67 703
75 79 IS W fresh breezes and hazy.
20 71 74
793 84}[SW fresh breezes and hazy.
21 72 70
66 65
NW fresh breezes with rain.
22 58|56
633 NW strong breezes, light clouds. 613
23
52 533
59 65 NW fresh breezes and clear.
24 54 593
63₺ 66
NW to SW light and clear.
25 58 62
66, 72
SW and clear.
26 62 633
693 743 SW and clear.
27 63 67 2
74 77
SW and clear.
28 64 68
72 75
NE and clear.
29 66 71
76
783 SSE to SW, light clouds.
30 65 6631
77
733 NNW to NE and clear.
From the Crawford Messenger. RAIL ROAD FROM FRANKLIN TO THE SUS QUEHANNA.
.
In this day's paper will be found the proceedings of a meeting held in Franklin, Venango county, relative to the incorporation of a company to make a rail road from that place to the west branch of the Susquehanna. The distance is said to be but 140 miles, and the work is consider ed by good judges to be entirely practicable, and can be done at a moderate expense, far below the general average of rail road communications. There will be but few important streams to pass. The Alle- gheny river may be said to be the only one of any con- siderable magnitude; besides the country presents a very gradual ascent to the dividing ridge between the Alle- gheny and Susquehanna. This route, in connexion with the state improvement, (when completed to Lake Erie,) will open a communication that will be but 445 miles from Erie harbor to Philadelphia. Any one who will take the trouble to examine this subject, will see that this will be of immense advantage to Pennsylvania, it being the shortest route from any of the Atlantic ci- ties to Lake Erie. Philadelphia will then by means of this improvement be enabled to send goods to Erie in about the space of six or seven days. Thus it will be obvious to all, that Philadelphia will have a decided ad. vantage over the city of New York in sending and re- ceiving goods to and from Lake Erie. No doubt can exist but the trade of this road will be very profitable. The Lake trade is now immense, and is fast increasing. This year the tonnage on Lake Erie has increased thirty- three per cent. on what it was last year. Merchants engaged in forwarding upon the Lake state that this has been the average annual increase for the last five years. The citizens of Philadelphia own full two-thirds of the land through which this road will pass. They
would realize more than the cost of this road in the in- creased value of these lands. Under all these circum- stances, who then can doubt that this rail road will be made, and that before long?
From the Venango Democrat. PUBLIC MEETING.
Pursuant to public notice, a meeting of the friends of Internal Improvement met in the Court House, in this borough, on Wednesday evening the 28th ult. which was attended by a numerous and highly respectable body of citizens. After the meeting was organized, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted and agreed to:
Whereas, the trade of Lake Erie being of such vital importance to the welfare of Pennsylvania and her com- mercial metropolis, it behoves the citizens of this com- monwealth to endeavor by every possible means in their power, to open a channel of communication that shall subserve this great purpose, Therefore,
Resolved, That a connexion by canal and rail road of the west branch of the Susquehanna and the waters of French creek, by the nearest possible route, is the sure way to open an avenue that will at once give to Phila- delphia the predominance over the Lake trade.
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by the Chair, to draft a petition to the next legislature for an act of incorporation for the furtherance of this object, and said committee be requested to have the petitions circulated for signature, and forwarded to the Senate and House of Representatives early in the session, and the Senator and Representative from this district be requested to use their influence for the immediate pas- sage of this act.
Resolved, That we have full confidence that the next Legislature will appropriate funds and authorise the construction of the canal from the French creek Feeder to Erie harbor, and that we will accede to the route which shall be chosen or selected by the Board of Canal Commissioners, after a full and satisfactory exa- mination of the subject.
Resolved, That a connection with the Ohio canal is of immense importance to the welfare of this country, it being best calculated to bring the surplus water power of French creek into requisition, thereby affording an easy means for the converting of the wheat of Ohio, into flour for our eastern market.
Resolved, That the Shenango canal interest is identi- fied with ours, provided a connexion with the west branch of the Susquehanna is speedily made; thus open- ing a nearer route for the surplus produce of Mercer county to the Philadelphia market.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and published in all the papers friendly to this measure.
After the passing of these resolutions, the following gentlemen were appointed a committee of correspond- ence, viz. A. M'Calmont, John Galbraith, John Ander- son, Alonzo Livermore, James Thompson, James Il. Snowden, and James Glenn, Esqrs.
J. D. WOOD, Chairman.
JAMES GLENN, Secretary.
From the Crawford Messenger.
MEADVILLE, Sept. 3, 1833.
Mr. A. Livermore,-Sir, a question has arisen, and is in some degree agitated at this time, with regard to the future prosecution of the public works, and as the opi- nion of the friends of the different routes by which it is, and has been proposed to connect the waters of Erie with those of the Delaware, have been variant, and each party urge their claims with great zeal, and we hope with honest motives, to the final completion of this great, and much desired object. But as all seem to depend upon the waters of French creek to supply in a
11 63 643
67} 69
NW, light breezes and clear.
13 54 54
563
59} NW, moderate breezes, & clear. 64
15|54 59
64
67 NW to SW, moderate & clear.
220 AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO THE MANAGEMENT OF WILLS HOSPITAL. [OCTOBER
great measure the different routes by which the connec- tion is to be carried into effect, it becomes necessary to be satisfied, whether that stream will be amply sutli- cient to furnish the necessary supply.
The undersigned, with an ardent desire and sincere wish to see a connexion of the eastern and western inte- rests, by means of canal, slack water, and rail road, as each in their turn may become expedient, put the fol- lowing queries to you, confidently relying upon your ability, and disinterestedness as to local interes!, or feel- ing, with regard to routes, and that your decision or opinion, would be such as ought to satisfy every man, whose mind was open to conviction.
Therefore, will the water of French creek be suffi- cient to supply at all times, when needed, a canal by the way of Conneaut lake and Elk creek to the town of Erie, and at the same time, from the summit level down the Shenango to New Castle, and all this, independent of what will be needed to supply the canal, &c. from the aqueduct to Franklin?
In the next place, should the connexion be formed by the Conneaut and Elk creek route, will the state in your opinion ever make a canal from New Castle to Conne- aut lake? And if the Elk creek route should be adopt- ed, will the state ever carry on her improvement up French creek to Waterford, and from thence to Erie by canal or rail road?
And further, if the Waterford route should be adopt- ed, do you believe the state would make a canal from New Castle to Conneaut lake?
Any information you can supply trs with on the sub- ject of the above, or any that may be pertinent on the subject of the canal, that may be useful to the inhabit- ants of this region, the undersigned would feel much obliged to you to communicate it.
DAVID DICK, ISRAEL BERLIN, and others.
FRANKLIN, Sept. 13, 1833,-
Messrs. David Dick, Israel Berlin, and others.
Gentlemen-Your communication of the 3d instant, was duly received, and I now answer your inquiries as near as my present information will admit.
The great question "whether a canal can be fed by the water from the French creek both down the She- mango and Elk creek routes, besides giving a sufficiency to the Franklin line," I believe is easily answered in the affirmative.
But I do not believe, that water can be passed through the French creek Feeder in sufficient quantity to sup- ply both Shenango and Elk creek routes of canal. I well know that a descent of three inches to the mile has been given to the Feeder line in order to increase the quantity over what a level canal would give of the same size. But this descent will not be much more than can be given to a level canal where locks intervene in the space of five or six miles. Each level (or space betwixt the locks) may. and is in practice often filled at the upper lock fully five feet deep, and reduced at the lower one, to three and a half or four feet. This gives the descent upon the surface of the water of from two to three in- ches to the mile, and secures the supply of water equal to the Feeder line or nearly so when required.
The Feeder line is 23 miles, the Shenango to Crooked creek is 173 miles, and the Elk creek line is 47 miles, making altogether 873 miles to be fed through the Feeder, if we except a supply of about twelve feet per second, which is said to be available on the Elk creek route.
With this addition, I think the Elk creek line can be fed, if Conneaut lake is made a reservoir, but it will be
out of the question to feed both Elk creek and the Shenango without increasing the size of the French creek Feeder at an expense fully equal to the first cost. ,
'This will render it extremely doubtful whether it will be policy for the commonwealth to make in con- junction the Shenango and Elk creek line. Therefore I am fully of the opinion that the Shenango should be made in preference. This line will therefore become allied to the French creek line via Waterford to Lake Erie, which will be the proper route.
It may not be amiss to state that I have recently taken a measurement of the water available for the summit level at Waterford, and I find that in the dryest time this season there is fully one hundred feet per second. I made two different measurements which corresponded so nearly that I feel satisfied that the result was correct. I also made a measurement above the entrance of the Feeder above Meadville, and found 138 feet per second. These measurements were taken at as low a stage of the stream as had been known at any previous time by the oldest inhabitants.
As fifty feet of water per second, is an abundance for the supply of the Waterford summit, I think no further doubt need exist relative to a sufficiency of water for that route; you will therefore perceive that a rail road is unnecessary, and should by all means be avoided, if possible, as trans-shipments would be extremely detri- mental to the improvements. It may be proper here to state a few practical facts relative to the feeding of ca- nals. The Delaware division of the Pennsylvania canal was one instance where an attempt was made to feed sixty miles of canal from one feeder. This did not succeed as you will see by reference to the report of the Canal Commissioners of 1831. The New York Ca- nal Commissioners undertook to feed from the Little Falls to the Schoharrie creek, a distance of '45 miles, but were unsuccessful, and were obliged to build ano- ther dam across the Mohawk near Canajoharrie.
The canal from the large clam upon the Kiskeminitas to Pittsburg, is 36 miles, and it was found extremely difficult the two first seasons to keep up the supply of water on the lower levels. There are many causes why a canal will not give the quantity of water that theory would demonstrate; an important reason is the sinuosi- ties to which they are liable. The French creek Feed- er is extremely objectionable on account of its numerous bends, curves, and irregularities. I have no doubt, but could the Feeder be constructed perfectly straight and regular in its size, that the quantity of water it would afford into Conneant lake would be nearly doubled, even were the distance the same it now is.
The foregoing gives my views in general to your inqui- ries. I have given them candidly, in the hope they may have a tendency to unite the friends of improvement in the great struggle towards completing a canal to Lake Erie. I am, gentlemen,
Yours very respectfully. ALONZO LIVERMORE, Engineer.
AN ORDINANCE.
Relative to the Management of the Wills Hospital.
Section 1. Be it ordained and enacted by the citizens of Philadelphia, in Select and Common Councils assem- bled, That the building recently erected out of the le- gacy devised to the city by the late James Wills, situated on Sassafras street, between Schuylkill Fourth and Fifth streets, shall be known and designated by the name
It is found in practice that to feed forty miles of canal requires the maximum discharge of a canal the size of ours through the dry season especially along a sliding' country, without any additional supply of water al- though the quantity of water at the source be unlimited. | of the Wills Hospital for the Indigent Lame and Blind.
Section 2. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Select and Common Councils shall assemble in joint meeting, on the fourth Thursday of October next, and shall then and there choose by ballot, nine suitable persons, who shall reside in the city, to be denominated Managers of the Wills Hospital.
Section 3. And be it further ordained and enacted by
1832.]
SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.
221
the authority aforesaid, That as soon as said election shall be completed, the clerks of the Select and Com- mon Councils shall divide the persons so chosen by lot into three classes of two each; the first class to serve one year, the second to serve two years, and the third to serve three years, and shall record the result upon the minutes of the Councils respectively.
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