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 1 
 
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REPORT 
 
 TO THB 
 
 COMMITTEE 
 
 APPOINTED TO 
 
 SUPERIiVTEND XHE SURVEY 
 
 OP A 
 
 @:[|li;il^ ti^lTAIl^ 
 
 » 
 
 FROM THE NIAGARA RIVER, TO JOIN THE 
 
 WELLAND CANAL, 
 
 AT THE 
 
 SUMMIT OF THE MOUNTAIN. 
 
 By THOlfEASROY, 
 
 CIVIL ENGINEBK> 
 
 TOEONTO: 
 
 Printed at the Courier Office, by G. H. Hacktltff. 
 
 • • • • 
 
 1837. - 
 
i- ii 
 
 ♦,* 
 
 TS, -t 
 
3 
 
 7\/ R. M. Crythr, Andrew Heron, D. MeDougal, John Barker, Johm 
 RiigerSf Enquiresy the Committee appointed to superintend the sur- 
 vey for a Ship Canal from Lake Ontario to the eummit of ike 
 Mountain in Thorold. 
 Gkntlbmbn, 
 
 In pursuance of your instructions '* To survey a route for a Ship 
 *' Canal from the Niagara River, to the Welland Canal at the eumniit 
 ** oftlie mountain/* — I have examined the River, — the Welland Canal 
 from St. Catharines southward to beyond Thorold — and the ground be-^ 
 tween these two places, and have fixed upon what I conceive to be the 
 most eligible and the least expensive route between the two points, the 
 outlines of which, and a section of the ground and of the levels of tho 
 proposed Canal 1 now lay before you on the plan which accompanies 
 this Report, also an appendix containing estimates of the expense. 
 
 My first object was to fix upon the proper point of departure from 
 the River. 
 
 The ISTlagara River, and the approach to it from the Lake has at 
 all times a sufficient depth of water for any debcription of vessels which 
 can ever navigate the proposed Canal. 
 
 Although the mouth of the River iseady of access, yet it is expo* 
 Bed to the swells of the Lake, especially when the storm is from the- 
 north-east. Tliese swells are in part repelled by the current of the 
 River^ but are more eHectually broken by the point of land on which 
 Fort Niagara is built. 
 
 Southward of a lin^e drawn across the River from the Episcopal 
 Church in the Town of Niagara, to Fort Niagara— the water is 
 smooth, and forms a safe and commodious roadstead — extending as 
 far as the point on which Fort George is built. Above this point and 
 onward to Queenston the current of the River is from three to four 
 miles an hour. Below this point the River widens out and this cir- 
 cumstance, together with the repelling action<^the Lake water causes 
 the current to decrease, near the western shore opponite to the Church 
 it is found to be under two miles an hour. 
 
 The elevation of the ground where our line passes along the con»> 
 mon at Niagara, averages forty-three feet above the level of the Lake. 
 The elevation of the ground near the River at the dotted line A shewn 
 
on the Plan (perhaps the ahorteat practicable distance between the two 
 points) ia from 70 to 80 feet. The elevation of the plains to the west- 
 ward of Q.ueenston is rather over 100 feet, therefore 5 Locks of 9 leet 
 lift would raise up a vessel from the River to the elevation of the plains 
 of Niagara — nine Locks at the point where the line A termioates — 
 and eleven Locks at dueenston. 
 
 It is evident from the great elevation to which the Canal would re- 
 quire to be raised at the two last mentioned places, that the ground 
 could not be so well chosen, to avoid cutting and embankment, as it 
 is on the line shewn, and the distance would probably be longer from 
 the last named place because, in order to maintain the level it would 
 be necessary to follow the sinuosities of the Lower Ridge, the base of 
 which, near the Ten-Mile- Creek is of the same elevation as the plains 
 to the westward of Qiueenston. 
 
 Taking all these circumstances into consideration it is evident 
 tliat by making the place of departure at the mouth of the River, the 
 entrance into the Canal would be exposed to the swells of the Lake. 
 By making it higher up than Fort George the vessels must be detain- 
 ed when the wind is unfavourable, or they must be towed up the River, 
 whilst no decided advantage either in distance or ia expense ofexca-; 
 vation would be gained. 
 
 From these facts I arrived at the conclusion that the point where 
 the Canal should leave the River ought not to be lower down than a 
 line drawn from the Episcopal Church at Niagara across the River to 
 ^ort Niagara nor higher up than the point on which Fort George 
 (Stands, 
 
 My next object was to fix upon the best point of junction at the 
 Welland Canal. In order to shew the reasons which induced me to 
 prefer the spot which I have selected it will be necessary (however 
 averse I may be to it, from inclination j to enter into some details coti" 
 ceming that work. 
 
 My first attention was given to the Locks on the hill, with the> 
 view of recommending the junction of your Canal to the Welland Ca- 
 nal at the base of the hill, if I found these Locks substantial, or at 
 least so placed as to justify such a farther expenditure upon them as 
 would make them substantial and permanently efficient. 
 
 The greater part of the Locks are in a ruinous state, and upon a • 
 minute examination of those which stand more firm, I found the- tim- 
 bers which appeared sound on the outside (o be almost without an ex- • 
 ception, decayed internally. 
 
 The Canal and Locks here are placed on the side of a steep shelv- 
 
 iM 
 
two 
 
 est- 
 feel 
 ains 
 
 ■es — 
 
 '■I 
 
 1 
 
 tug bank. The hill on the southern side rises abruptly from the odga 
 ofthe water to the height of 80 or 1()0 feet. At Lock No. 27, where 
 the Cannl leaves the inuru even ground, and enters upon this shelving 
 hill-side 1 found the height of the northern hank to he 57 feet, with a 
 base not at all too wide for its great height. The Canal continues to 
 wind along the side of this hill, the bank on the southern side en- 
 creasing in elevation, and the bank on the northern side decre.ising, 
 until near the place where it enters into the great Ravine. 
 
 The Locks in proceeding down the hill are placed at short and tol- 
 erably regular distances from each other, the intermediate ftp.'ices, 
 about 250 feet in length and about 80 in width, serving as reservoirs 
 for filling them. There are no waste-water races, but the water con- 
 tinually, falls into the chamber of each succeeding Lock from one level 
 to another. 
 
 The quantity of water required to fill one of the present Locks is 
 21,780 cubic feet. The quantity of water required to fill one of the 
 Locks which I shall propose is 36,864 cubic feet. A vessel asccMiding 
 through the Canal would reduce the dopth of water in each of ihe in- 
 termediate reservoirs nearly one foot in filling one of the prer*ent 
 Locks — and in filling one of our proposed Locks would reduce t'le 
 depth I foot 10 inches, even if the sides were perpendicular — but If 
 they have a reasonable slope, it would reduce the depth of water more 
 than two feet, a circumstance which would prevent any vessel drawiuif 
 more than 7 feet water from passing through the Canal, unless it is 
 abviated as it now is by an evil nearly as great, vi/ — allowing a cur- 
 rent of water equal in capacity |to the quantity admitted thron^Mi the 
 valves into the Locks at the time they are filling, to How con^^ta .t!y 
 through the Canal. 
 
 From the description of the situation of the Canal above given, it 
 will be seen, that these reservoirs c.^rmot be enlarged, and wasie water 
 races constructed, unless at an expens:^ manifestly much greater than 
 would be sufficient to excavate a new Canal in a more favourable lo- 
 cation. ^ 
 
 The material of which the Locks are composed, and the manner 
 in which they are constructed render it impossible that they can be 
 made efficient and durable, and I cannot recommend placing expen- 
 sive and substantial I^^ocks in such a situation. 
 
 Having satisfied myself that it is necessary in order to obtain a 
 substantial and permanently eflicient work, to carry a separate Canal 
 over the hill, I proceeded toeKamiiie the Welland Canal, at and above 
 Thorold^ wher^ the long level terminates at Lock No. G5. 
 
I 
 
 ^.,//.<r /- 
 
 The four Locks in the village do not materiary ()ifier from thoy* 
 already described, but here the Canal is located in nearly as rnvoiirn* 
 ble a situation as the ground affords. Between Locks No. 3*2 and Nor 
 31 there is a long level on nearly a straight line. 
 
 Two points uf junction claimed attention, the first M liock No31y 
 following the base of the upper Hidge eastward — (as shewn by the dot< 
 ted red line B on the Plan) and lockrng dawn into the Ravine of the 
 Ten-Mile-Creek — or else, to cross it and several smaller Ravines, its 
 branches, by aqueducts and embankments. The first I could not 
 adopt being well convinced of the impropriety of locating Cannh in 
 Bavines if it can be avoided— and the second was too expensive if a- 
 better line could be found. 
 
 I therefore resolved to choose as the point of junction the termin- 
 ation of the 6traii;ht line above mentioned a short distance southward 
 of Lock No. 31. The Welland Canal from the village to this Lock in 
 favourably situated. There aie several embankments on its tastern 
 side which are too weak, these ought to be strengthened, or (if I mtvy 
 recommend on another work,) Lock No. 31 ought to be removed up to 
 near the villagr, and the Canal at this place excavated nine feet deep* 
 er, which would render these embankments unnecessary, and enable 
 us to place our Locks No. 30, 29, & 23 further apart than they are' 
 shewn on the section. 
 
 In determining the capacity of the proposed Canal, and the size 
 of its Locks, 1 have not been guided so much by the dimensions of the 
 Welland Canal as it now exists, as by the dimensions to which it will 
 probably be enlarged when it is put into a better state — and by the* 
 depth of water in the Locks of the St. Lawrence improvements. Such 
 a Canal as this can never be used with advantage for Steam Boat nav* 
 igation, at least as these vessels are at present constructed, — therefore 
 it would be an unnecessary expense to construct the Locks of such di- 
 mensions as to admit Steam Vessels, and the working Locks of so great 
 a capacity would cause a constant and useless waste of water. I would 
 tlierefure propose that tlK dimensions of the Canal should be 44 feet 
 wide at bottom, 80 feet wide at the surface of the water, and 9 feet 
 deep (as shewn by the sectional Drawing No.l) or, I would rather re- 
 commend the form shewn by the sectional drawing No. 2. The flat 
 Tables — a — a (shewn on the drawing) 3 feet wide, and IJ feet below 
 the surface of the water, prevent the earth washed from the upper edge 
 of »he Canal, by the surges whether caused by the wind or by the ves- 
 sels passing through, from rolling down to the bottom. These wash- 
 ings can be cleared off from the Table) as often as they accuoiulate, by 
 
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 V*V9 
 
 M'H- 
 
 f(», 
 
 131, 
 
 lot- 
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 itd 
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 ^it^cring iho water IJ feet between 'any two of the !iOck§. this 
 would make tlie width of the Canol nl the Burfnce of the water to bo 
 66 feet, n decideJ advantage wliere the Locks are near to each other. 
 
 The ebtiinatea for the extavation to the northward of the lower 
 Hidge are cant out according to tha form No. 1, and to the southward 
 of that Kidge, where the distance between the Locks is shorter, they 
 are cast out according to the form No. 2. The difference^of expense 
 in this Canal where there is no deep cutting, will be trifling. 
 
 The Chambers of the Locks I would propose to make 122 feet 
 clear, by 32 feet, with 9 feet lift. That the Lock* shall be substantial- 
 ly built with cut stone, well jointed-^to be laid in Roman Cement, if 
 it can be procured, and if that cannot be procured in the^best water 
 Lime. / /^/. .; ' 
 
 Having determined the points of departure from the Niagara Riv- 
 er, and of junction to the VVelland Canal, and shewn the proposed di- 
 inensions of the Canal and of the Locks, I shall next describe the line 
 «8 it is shewn on the Plan and exhibited.on the section, and then de- 
 •cribe the position &c. &c. of the Locks. 
 
 Upon examination the stratification of the rocks which form the 
 hill at Thorold proved to be horizontal, and the elevation of the sur- 
 face of the rock to be nearly equal all along its crest. I found also 
 that by continuing out the straight line between Locks No. 52 and 
 No. 31 of the Welland Canal, it passed to the very margin of the hill 
 over good even ground of a tenacious soil, and well adapted to the con- 
 struction of the canal, and of reservoirs to supply the locks ; and that 
 the point where this straight line passes over the hill is as favourably 
 situated for placingthe locks as any other. By|continuing this straight 
 line onward from the base of the hill to near the place where the canal 
 crosses the Ten Mile Cr^ek; the uneven ground to the eastward near 
 the ravine of the creek is avoided, and also low uneven ground to tho 
 westward which is at several places very near the line. 
 
 The declination near the base is rapid, which causes the four locks 
 nearest the hill to be too close to each other for the supplying of water 
 to work the locks ; but from the formation of the ground, this can be 
 remedied at a trifling expense, by embanking shallow reservoirs con- 
 nected with the canal, between each of these locks. The surface of 
 the canal, and the surface of each of these reservoirs, together to fbrm 
 an area of 110,592 square feet. TbuA the depth of water in the canal 
 1*111 only be reduced 4 inches in filling one of our proposed locks. The 
 •oil bting a tenacious clay is favourable for this purpose. ' 
 
 'f 
 
 /<-' rn. ' >■ /.A 
 
8 
 
 fi 
 
 When the line drew nenr to the ravine of the creek, uri I when 
 the elevation of the ground was found to be rather less than the eleva* 
 lion cf the crest of the lower ridge it became necessary to curve the 
 line to such a bearing as would pass the creek at a place where only a 
 small quantity of embankment is required, and where an aqueduct will 
 be easily constructed, and also to avoid a wide ravine on the south-east. 
 AAer proceeding about one third of a mile on this bearing, the line 
 changes a few degrees more to the south, in order to pass the ground 
 near the ravine and the heads ofsevcral brancH ravines, nnd to descend 
 from the ridge at a suitable place. The soil to the eastward of the 
 creek is mixed, chiefly clny ; and appears to be sufficiently retentive. 
 The quantity of embankment is small, and the line of the surface of 
 the water in the canal is (excepting only at a few places) lower than 
 the surface of the ground ; one small culvert will be required. 
 
 After descending the ridge, the line continues on the same bearing ^ 
 for nearly 4 miles. The soil is a firm tenacious clay^; the ground re- ^ - 
 niarkably level and well adapted for the purpose of a Canal. Two or 
 three culverts will be required ; or it would be safer and not more 
 expensive, to make a small lateral cut on the south side of the Caual 
 to C'irry the flood water into the Four Mile Creek. 
 
 The low swampy grounds to the northward, which are so fre- 
 quently flooded, being' already passed, the line approached the four 
 mile creek, and as a straight line to the point of departure at the Niagara 
 river would avoid the ravines near the Town, I determined to lay out 
 such a line especially as it led to a favourabie place for passing the 
 creek. It runs through a fine level country ; the soil for a considerable 
 distance is ? firm tenacious clay. For the remainder of the distance 
 the sub soil is clay, but in many places thin deposites of sand are strew- 
 ed on the surface ; near the Town there are a few slight inequalities, 
 but they are of little consequence. Descending from the common to 
 the river, the sloping bank is firm clay, very favorable for the founda* 
 tions of the locks. The margin of the river is sand, and the tides of 
 the canal will require to be protected by walls or piles. At the point 
 of departure there is 12 feet water in the River 30 feet frop the shore. 
 
 An aqueduct will be required at the Four Mile Creek. As thia 
 creek is a permanent stream it may be led out of the Ravine more to 
 the southward and used as a feeder to the canal when required. Five 
 small culverts will be required, bnt I would recommend in preference 
 small lateral cuts to drain off the surface and flood waters, and only to 
 place culverts under the Canal where they are indispensable. 
 
when 
 eleva- 
 B the 
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 -east. 
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 round 
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 ace of 
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 aring , 
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 vvo or 
 more 
 ^anal 
 
 5 fre- 
 
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 agara 
 
 ly out 
 
 ig the 
 
 irable 
 
 tance 
 
 »trew- 
 
 lities, 
 
 ion to 
 
 inda* 
 
 ilesof 
 
 point 
 
 ihore. 
 
 i this 
 >re to 
 Five 
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 nly to 
 
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 9 
 
 ■nuMiiirhom llie whole line (excoprmg only the ciitling for the 
 fouiitlfiiions olthw LockH on the lull) there \n no rock excavation. 
 
 From tlie; !);«««! of the lower Kidge downward the excavation is re- 
 duced 10 the Hoialic^tt posible quiiutify hy placing another Lock so aoou 
 lis the depth of excavation yields a (juanlily of earth sudicient to form 
 Hii einhanUmcnt on each side ot'tlie Canal 15 feet wide at top. The 
 sides of the eniliankinput to Inne the same angle of declination (G7^^ 
 externally and iiiternally us the sides of the Canal. 
 
 Th«» (rniicioua nainte of the soil renders this system perffctly fb- 
 cure, very little puddlins; will he needed, but at several places the veg- 
 etable matter — Mud at other places the deposites of sand nmst he clear- 
 ed off from the surface of the clay before the foundations of the em- 
 bankments are laid. 
 
 The proposed Canal throughout the whole line can be kept entire- 
 ly free from flood-water. 
 
 The whole dist.ince is 11 miles — 4 furlongs — 559 feet. 
 The rise from the River to the level ground at the Town of Niag- 
 ara requires 5 Locks. Two ways for placing these Locks presented 
 themselves. The first by locating the Canal in a Hollow or liavine 
 which the line shewn crosses 2617 feet from the River following out the 
 Hinuosities of this Ravine to its termination at the Government Wharf 
 and placing the Locks at such distances as could be obtained, using 
 the intermediate spaces as Reservoirs to supply them with water. The 
 second is that which I have adopted. By the first the dislanco from 
 Lock to Lock could not have exceeded GOO feet, therefore the width 
 of the Canal at the surface muat have been 170 feet to fill one of our 
 proposed Locks without decreasing the depth of water in the Canal 
 more than 4 inches, or Reservoirs must have been constructed. The 
 Ravine is within tiie Town — thcie is not space for Reservoirs— neither 
 would it be desirable to form them there. The entrance to the Canal 
 ^ould also havo been exposed to the swells of the Lake. 
 
 By the plan which I have adopted one of our proposed Locks can 
 be filled from the level above (4180 feet in length) hy only reducing 
 the depth of water in the Canal one and one third inches — and if the 
 Wharves shewn on the Plan were formed the surface of the water 
 would be so much enrreased, that the depth would be only reduced 
 one inch.— (These Wharves however I do not recommend to be made 
 part of the works of the Canal.) The first plan would probably be 
 somewhat less expensive, but taking into consideration the great in- 
 flux of trade which will take place whenever this Canal is opened, it 
 
10 
 
 i» f!c«iraljle tliat there slioulJ not be any delay or want of water at its 
 entrance. 
 
 I would tlicrcfore reconiinfnd tliat five double Locks be constructed 
 on tiie ascent from the Kiver, as shewn on the section. , , 
 
 h is not requisite to say anything concerning the next six Locks, 
 which raise the level of the Canal to the elevation of the base of the 
 lower Kidge. An inspection of the sectioji will shew that the long lev- 
 els between each afi'oid the greatest possible facility for working the 
 Lgcksand navigatifig the Canal. 
 
 The Locks Nos. 12 & 13 by which the lower Ridge is ascended 
 are situated at the termination of a level 5194 feet in length, the filling 
 of both these Locks from which will not reduce the water in the Canal 
 so much as two inches. 
 
 Lock No. 14 has a level above of only 1200 feet in length, the fil- 
 ing of the Lock from which would reduce the water in the Canal 4^ 
 inches. As 4 inches is the maximum to which I propose lessening the 
 depth of water at any Lock, the embankment to be formed from the 
 Lock southward must be so widened out as to enclose an additional 
 space of shallow water having a surface of 10,600 square feet. This 
 deficiency might be remedied by placing the Lock farther northward, 
 but it would then interfere with the curve near the Ten-Mile-Creek. 
 
 Locks Nos. 15 & 16 have each a level above of 1400 feet in 
 length. This presents a surface of water equal to filling these Locks 
 without reducing the depth of water in the Ciinal more than 4 inches. 
 
 Locks Nos. 17, 18, 19 & 20, owing to ihe rapid descent of the 
 ground have none of them a suflicient level surface of water above 
 4br the purpose of working the Locks, — No. 17 will require a shallow^ 
 Reservoir having a surface of 40,072 square feet. — No. 18 one of 
 52,972 square feet,— No. 19 one of 70,172 square feet.— No. 20 one 
 6f 66,887 square feet. The ground is favorable for the connstmction 
 of these Reservoirs, and the earth to be excavated from the Canal is 
 in each case more than sufficient to form the embankments — (see note.) 
 
 c 
 
 Note. 
 
 It may appear from what is sai<l above that in drawing off water 
 for working these Locks the depth of water in the levels will be redu- 
 ced to 8 feet 8 inches. Thus is the case, but by placing the boards of 
 the waste-water weirs 2 inches higher than their true position, and ad- 
 ding the depth of water flowing over these boards, and the increase 
 from the feeding water let in by the races, it is obvious that the water 
 in every one of the levels can at all times be kept up to the full depth 
 of 9 feet. 
 
II 
 
 |c(ed 
 
 ikts, 
 the 
 
 llev- 
 the 
 
 fed 
 
 ling 
 inal 
 
 The noxt seven Loclts conjaiucd io each other are place J in the 
 crest of the hill. 
 
 Here we have an ahiioyt poi-poiidicular ascetit of Of) feet to over- 
 come. There are two ways of liaini: it. Fh'st hy short hivela and 
 separate Locks. I'he Welland (*anal is formed upon tWia principle. 
 
 The line shewn hy the dotted red line 15 on the Flan, which pas- 
 ses into the Ravine of the Ten Mili-Creek. does not aifjrd jri-eater fa- 
 cilities for this pjnposo than the line of the VVellaiid Canal. The so- 
 cond way is a^s shewn on the section. I haveaheady proved the inell'.- 
 ciency of Locking a Canul down a higli and sleep hill by niakini; short 
 levels to serve as Reservoirs between each Lock on account of the de- 
 crease in the depth of water in tliese levels, where the area of the sui - 
 face does not bear a due proporJion to the size of ihe Locks. If it is 
 attempted to correct this deficiency hy introducing a large current of 
 water into the Canal, the waste whicli it will cause by washing tha 
 sides, — by forming depositee in the bottom-^and by other injuries to • 
 which the works will be exposed (rom its effects, as well as the en- 
 creased power and cost of traction which it will cause, are circumstan- 
 ces calculated to mar the usefulness of thrtCanal,and evenUiallyto be^ 
 come sources of expense which will not a little lessen its proii!>i. 
 
 The number of vessels v;hich may reasonably be expected to uBrf 
 this Canal as soon as it is opened, will require every possible dispatch. 
 I have no hesitation therefore in recommending seven Double Locks 
 to be placed on the hill as shewn on the section — to be constructed in 
 such a manner as to economize the water as much as possible. 
 
 On the summit of the Hill tlirere is a large extent of ground gene- 
 rally even, and sloping from {South to North. The soil is tenacious 
 clay. On this giound extensive Reservoirs should be constructed* 
 for working these double Locks. 
 
 If these Reservoirs were formed on difierent levels,, and made to 
 communicate with each other by self-acting valves, the four upper 
 Locks could be filled directly from the Reservoirs, when vessels were 
 ascending, and when the vessel had passed the water ould be drawn 
 oft' frotn the higher part of each Lock into another Reservoron its op- 
 posite side to be used again— an extension of liiis process might be 
 made to fill the three lower Locks, and thus single I^ocks could be used. 
 But from the delay and the waste of water which these would cause — < 
 and the expense which would be incurred in making and adapting 
 these Reservoirs. 1 am firmly convinced that Double Locks ought at 
 once to be constrncted. 
 
 ./ 
 
5:!'i 
 
 Si 
 
 12 
 
 From these seven Locks, to tlie point of joining t)ie Wi?ll;inJ Cat'iai, 
 there are four Locks necessary, (hoc S;?clion) but hs noino ijnan;^'.; 
 ment must be entered into with the VVelland Canvil (^snjpany butuie 
 these are placed, it is usfless to discuss their proper p .int of location 
 at present. I shall therefore stute what appears to nje to he the bt^•^t 
 arrangement for the eight Locks ndiich raise your proposed Canal, 
 add the Welland Canal, from tli'^ elevation of the crest of the hill, to 
 the elevation of the long level southward of Thorold, I woiild propose 
 to place the Locks Nos. 35 & 34 together as far south as the nature of 
 the ground will admit of. Lock No. 33 I would place as near to these 
 as a surface of water can be obtained bearing the sam e proportion to 
 the size of the Lock as we have calculated, the area of the Reservoirs 
 from, on the short levels to the north of the hill. Lock No. 32 I 
 would place as near to No. 33 as a similar surfjce of water could be 
 obtained. Lock No. 31 I wonld place as far southward as possible, 
 for reasons already given. Our Locks Nos. 3D, 29, & 2S, could, when 
 these arrangemen*s are made, and the distance which they and their 
 levels are to occupy, is known, he placed ni the most favorable posi- 
 tion which circumstances would admit of. But in every case, I would 
 hold it as a principle, not to be departed from, that a surface of water, 
 equal in area to that above mentioned, shall intervene between every 
 two separate Locks — and if the level itself does not afford the neces- 
 sary extent of surface, that it shall be increased by shallow connecting 
 Reservoirs. 
 
 At all the Locks waste-water weirs and races to be constructed. 
 
 The number of Bridges required over the Canal cannot now be 
 exactly determined.,' By the notes of the Survey it appears that the 
 line crosses 18 Roads — perhaps arrangements may be entered into 
 which will render it uneceesary to place a Bridge at every one of 
 these — but it is probable that in the wooded parts of the country there 
 are public Roads not yet cut out, where Bridges will be required. 
 Under this uncertainty I have framed estimates for 18 Bridges. 
 
 I hesitate what description of Bridges to recommend, Cast Iron 
 Swivel Bridges are undoubtedly the best, but the first cost is too great 
 taking into account the number required on this work, and I have 
 misgivings concerning the tenacity of the metal during the severe frosts 
 of (his climate. The Swing Bridges in common use here are clumsy 
 and not easily managed, I have furnished a Drawing of a Timber Bridge 
 on different principles, the cost of which is placed in the Estimates. 
 The estimates next require attention — their gross amount (inclnding 
 
13 
 
 [O 
 
 jo 
 [a 
 [ 
 
 10 ppr cent for contingencies is £337,035 4 4.— -The excavation and 
 p,nlKiiikm'v?iit together amount toi;65,-jG'2 4 5,-10 per cent to be ad- 
 iU'd (or CDntingencies. The cost of the Locks, which is tiie heaviest 
 it. in is £224 382 II 0, but it ought lo be hurnc in mind that 12 of 
 them are Double. The estimated cost of a Single Lock, with gates 
 &c. &c. is <£G,217 2 G. The variou? items forming all these esti- 
 mates have been careuiliy calculated. -VFiie amount of pressure ex- 
 ternal and internal. — Ti»e specific gravity of tne materials &c. &c. 
 have heeu computed, and the fonnution of the walls (shewn on the 
 Drawing) is such as to require the least quantity of material and labour 
 consisient with absolute security. 
 
 It may be noticed here that these Locks raise the Canal to the 
 elevation of 270 feet, therefore G Locks more— 2 of 9 feet litt, and 3 of 
 8 feet lift would raise the Canal to the level of Lake Erie., . Or that 
 thrt sum of j£37,30!3 15 would complete this system of Lockage from 
 the level of Lake Ontario to the level of Lake Erie. 
 
 Tiie other items put down undor the designation of subordinate 
 expenses, do not in several cases furnish data for very accurate esti- 
 mates, but I feel confident that the sums specified c£M,459 17 8 with 
 10 per cent to meet contingencies [see appendix No. 3) will be suffi- 
 cient for these necessary works. 
 
 In framing the estimates I have not put any value upon the stone 
 to be obtained from the Rock excavation on the hill — should the low- 
 er beds of that Rock prove fit for building the Locks, a saving of sever- 
 al thousand pounds will he effected, whether this should be the case or 
 not the stone even of the upper beds is suitable for the mason work 
 Races &c. comprehended under the designation of subordinate expen- 
 ses. 
 
 As nearly all the proprietors on the line have given up their title 
 
 to the land required for the use of the Canal, it is unnecessary to esti- 
 mate its value. 
 
 Before I close this Report I conceive it to be a duty incumbent up- 
 on me to draw your attention to two things by which the usefulness of 
 the Welland Canal is greatly abridged, and consequently the value of 
 your work will be proportionably lessened, as in the southern part it is 
 intended to use that CanaL These are 1st. The flood-water which is 
 allowed to flow into the Canal and 2;id, The immense body of water 
 which constantly flows through it for the purpose of driving machinery., 
 A full supply of water is absolutely necessary in every well regulated 
 Canal, but this supply ought to be entirely under the controul of the 
 persons having charge of that Canal, and ought not to be increased by 
 
 / 
 
r 
 
 I4 
 
 floods — nor to be diminished by allowing thesmalTest portion of if to be 
 drawn off for any purpose whatever unconnected wiili the Canal.— 5* '^ " 
 
 It is shewn above that the sum of £37,302 15 in addition to the 
 sum required to be expended upon your Locks would complete the sys- 
 tem of Lockage up to the level of Lake Erie. ThU sum must bo ex- 
 pended upon the upper Loc'..i of the Welland Canal to make it service- 
 able. Therefore the sole advaniage v/h'ch the VVellanJ Canal offers 
 to you is the excavation in the stale in which it at present is burthened 
 with the above named drawbacks. By the appendix No. 1 the esti- 
 mated expense for excavating upwards of \\\ miles is £CT,562 4 5, 
 that is more than half the distance from Thorold to Lake Erie — and I 
 am convinced that by cutting in a different direction throur^h the Ridge 
 which everywhere divides tlie headwaters of the Greeks from the head 
 waters of the Chippewa River — the excavation would not be found ve- 
 ry formidable. The full value of the advantage to be obtained by 
 using the Welland Canal, after putting it in order, would not probably 
 exceed £50,000 or £60,000 — tl; refore unless the present system of 
 making the Canal a mjll-jracejs abandoned, I would earnestly recom- 
 mend the construction of an ejjitirely new Canal throughout^ and upon 
 no account to permit on so stupendous a work,any minor consideration 
 to interfere with its great ultimate design. 
 
 THOS. ROY, 
 Civil Etigiiiecr. 
 
 January 6/A, 1837. 
 
 ; 
 
 4- 
 
 Summary of the estimated expense of conBtructing these works, aa 
 
 they are severally specified in the appendix. 
 
 Excavation and Embankment, > . £67,562 4 5 
 
 31 Locks, 12 of them Double, 224,382 11 
 
 Subordinate Works, including Aqueducts, Bridges,? ^a akc* I'y q 
 
 Water Races, Towing Path, &c. &c. J ^*'*^ ^^ ° 
 
 Contingencies, 10 per cent, 39,639 11 3 
 
 Total, 
 
 4:337,035 4 4 
 
o o 
 
 ^,-' 
 
 ..^.