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Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmis A des taux de reduction diff6rents. ^orsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, 11 est film6 d partir de I'angle supirieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en has, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 (^roi / llunih fe //Jl 1 ^■M, J J' of t/ff JTI Skew/ntr fjtr C Co f myelin s^ l^aH SHIP I Ml 45 ,,, ^r,V'- /■"■ l!*./*^ .fj, J l^ of the JTJ. J G, J J?. ^ jj>js ^W^ V1L.M Shfwin^r the Course ant/, a ProfiV! ofUte^ ^I.LANIJ CANAL. Co/innHhig Lakes KHe and OllllfAri© dy A^ .tnofiiiHt St. ^1 ht f>r(>/i, flUKfV — "^rii ^t\t^^ // fNpr(>/i/ffhfu (hf I'Ottoni o/t/ie f\i/(ro/i/f J'/vm th€ I'ottom of'r/ie {'anai Jiv a P/,^/,.., rtfiovtno the F.nrth by /ncdits n/' m4tJnthrv — .y<,A/^ m JW/ f.> an in.-.'i / n,:,/,i//,-.) D Th and tl derful nitude short extern By unto i river i path < creek exten ACCOUNT OF THE WELLAND CANAL, UPPER CANADA. BY WILLIAM HAMILTON MERRITT, Esq. SITERINTENDANT. This canal is intended to connect Lai'ics Erie and Ontario, and thereby remove the natural barrier caused by the won- derful and well known falls of Niagara ; it exceeds in mag- nitude any other yet constructed in America, excepting the short cut from the Chesapeake to Delaware Bay, and in the extent of the surface of its waters it exceeds any in the world. By reference to the map of the Niagara peninsula, here- unto affixed, it will be seen that from the mouth of Grand river on Lake Erie, it continues up that stream by a towing path one hundred and twenty eight chains, thence up Broad creek seventy chains, thence by a thorough cut through an extensive marsh ten miles, thence down Mill creek two and 2 Account of the WcUmid Caniu. a iialf miles, until it intersects the river Welhmd, into uhicli it descends by w ship lock of eight feet lift, thence a towing path or track way ifi constructed ten miles,* and thence the canal runs in a northerly direction to I .akc Ontario, winding up a ravine about sixty six chains with fron. ^ight to twelve feet cutting. This part is finished and filled with water, to- gether with a guard gate to control the admission of the waters of Lake Erie. Thence commences the deep cut, (as it is termed,) or dividing ridge, and a most formidable work it assuredly is. It commences with an almost abrupt height, of thirty feet above the canal bottom, then grfduully rises to fifty six feet six inches in a distance of one hundred and six chains, then gradually descends in a distance of twenty eight chains to thirty feet, when it as abruptly breaks off in anoth- er ravine. The entire distance through this cut is one mile fifty four chains, averaging about forty four feel cutting; to the depth of from twelve to eighteen feet from the surface, it is composed of clay with a small mixture of sand, and be- low this, a tenacious bine clay. This cut was commenced in Sept. 1825; It contained one million four hundred seventy seven thousand seven hundred cubic yards, and at the close of this last season, there remair- ed to be removed, only three hundred seventy thousand yards. The bottom isrcniuved from each end of the cut with scows, and the earth is deposited in the Welland river and in a largo reservoir below bottom icvel at the other end. Hetwinn these points, the earth is removed with carts, wagons and machinery; being drawn to the top, where it is deposited on the bank, on either sile. The machine in most general use, is a common wagon wheel, fixed on an upright j)ost, about seven feet from tlie ground on the top of the bank; a rope, with a hook on ef ch end reaching from the bottom of the canal to the top, is fixed round this wheel which hooks on the back of the descending cart and to the tongue of the one below, so that the return team assists in pulling up the loaded one, thereby, in eH'ect, reducing the ascent to a perfect level, as the loads are drawn up with more ease than they are removed on the level to discharge. * 'riiix part of the I'luial, wai placed imiler contriiel in Oet'ilier lu'^l ; a iiuuibt'i ol tiieii mo now ciiiiiloyi'il tin tlir M;irMli. whicli Inn tn he cvravateil i'roni ten to sivteeii I'eet dee, 'UiiiuirDotil. Tin' i 'onii;ul« •■li|mlale lor it* lieinu IniHlied. l>t Oct, \S'.'¥ Account of the Welland Canal. From the termination of the deep cut, to that part where the mountain descends (or lock No. 1, as it is called, although it is properly No. 2,) the distance is four miles and twenty three chains. Tlie land is undulating, and composed alter- nately of ridges and ravines, running lioni east to west, at right angles with the Canal ; the ravines are generally below bottom level, and by throwing un embankment on the west side of the C'unal, thoy attord large and spacious reservoirs, embracing in all about two miles in length. The cutting through these ridges is light, except one at the brow of the mountain, which, in a distance of twenty chains, averages near twenty feel. This part of the L.anal is finishcfl, except ten thousand cubic yar^ VVelland, or from lake Kri(! by tlie Grand^river. From lock No. 1, the Canal continues in a ravine fifty three chains, gradually descending by lour locks of twenty two feet witlth — thence for one mile and fifty five chains it curves round the brow or break of the mountain to the left, and again to the right, for the purpose of extending the dis- tance to admit a pound between each lock, and nutiiitain the same gradual and convenient descent. There are seventeen lotks in this distance, and sixty thousand yards of rock ex- cavation, which is all removed, and is ali that was met with between the lakes; the excavation is nearly all iinished, and the locks in a forward state. From this, the Canal enters another ravine to St. Catha- rines, a distance of two and a half miles, in which there are twelve locks of twenty two feet width ; the banks are high, an«l the same easy descent is nuiintained duoughout — the uork on this part is likewise neiuly all finished — this may be termed the mountain desc(>nt, iis in a distance! of four miles and seventy two and a half chains, IV, )m lock .\o. I, there are thirty two locks, with a decliiuuion of three luuHlred and iwciilT two feet — their dimensioiisare one hund cd feet iciiiiti I ,« 4- Account of the Welhind Caiml. and twenty two feet width in tlie pool, calculated to pass ves- sels of one Imndred and twenty five tons burden. From this to lake Ontario, a distance of five miles, the Ca- nal continues most of the way in the bed of the main branch of the twelve mile creek ; there are three locks in this space (including the one at the harbour,) thirty two feet wide and one hundred and twenty five feet long, for the purpose of admitting steam boats from lake Ontario. A large and com- modious harbor is constructed at this place, by throwing an embankment seventeen chains long, between two high ridges and raising the water five feet, which covers an area of three hundred acres, capable of containing all the vessels or lum- ber which may be required for ages to come — the entrance is protected by two piers extending into the lake, one two hundred, the other three hundred and fifty yards. This Canal is made by a company, incorporated by an act of the Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada, with a capi- tal of eight hundred thousand dollars. The legislature of Upper Canada have authorized a subscription of two hun- dred thousand dollars, and have lent the company one hun- dred thousand dollars — and the government of Lower Cana- da has subscribed one hundred thousand dollars; the remain- der is owned by individuals. The British government has likewise given one ninth of the amount of its cost, on condi- lion that their stores pas 'cc of toll, besides a donation of ihirteen thousand acres of crown lands between the Grand and Welland rivers, through which the Canal passes. That part of the line from the river Welland to Ontario is nearly finished, excepting the residue of the deep cut, which, allhougii it is rather less than one fourth of the whole amount originally to be excavated, is still an arduous work. There has been expended, including the purchase of land, mills, machinery, ».V:c. about seven hundred thousand dollars, and it is supposed it will re(|uire the full amount of capital to fin- ish it, exclusive of the loan from government. Its general dimensions are eight feet depth of water, and twenty six feet width at bottom, with a slope of two to one. which gives a surface of water of fifty eight feet. The company's afliiirs are managed by a board of direc- tors, elected anmially, consisting of a President, Vice Presi- dent, and five Directors, which situations are now filled by the undermentioned gentlemen ; The Hon. John Henry Dunn, Receiver General of the Pro- vince, President. risnig oi; as at Lfl Uurlingtf near tlu rock, nt feet, in The lor an el feet in (f vitles till and a h( ih'iid lev! • Till- •iluiition. ves- Ca ancli pace and se oi" com- ig an 'idgcs three him- Lranct' two an act I capi- ture of hun- le hun- • Cana- •emain- 3nt has 1 condi- ition of e Grand 3. ntario is L, which, , amount There id, mills, ars, and al to fin- xter, and foio one. of direc- ice Presi- filled by ifthePro- Aceoimt of the Wclhmd Canal. :> Henry J. Boulton, Es(j. Solicitor General, Vice President. Tiic Hon. Col. Wells, J. B. Robinson, Esq. Attorney Gen- eral, D'Arcy Boulton, jun. Escj., George Keetur, Es(|., and John Clark, Escj., Directors. The immediate superintendancc of the business is inider the management of an agent,* and a secretary, who are ap- pointed by the board. Alfred Barrett, of the state of New- York is principal engineer. The first idea of all Canals is suggested by the direction of natural water courses, but in no instance have we ever seen the route of any Canal more plainly laid down than through 'this peninsula. It artbrds geological information respecting this portion of ihe country, which we have never seen noticed. The low- est point between Lewiston and the Genesee river is a I Lockport, where the mountain ridge rises thirty two feet above the level of lake Erie, extending, with a gradual de- scent seven miles to the Tonewanta creek, three miles ol' which is hard limestone rock, and caused by far the great' est expenditure on any |)artof the Erie Canal. At this place the dividing ridge is situated near the iiver VVelland, from which the water descends both into the Wei- land and lake Ontario — in the ravines formed by those wa- ters is the location for this (.'anal — this ridge or barrier is only one mile and fifty four rJminsin length, and appears the only formidable obstacle in the whole line. From this thu mountain takes a di|) and at the brow three miles distant, at the falls of the twelve mile creek, it is iioui forty to fifty feet below the level of lake Eric, the mountain again gradually rising on each side from twenty to thirty feet above the level, as at Lockport — the streams frmn all (he mountain abovo Burlington bay running eastward, and from the falls and near the Niagara river westward, although it contains no rock, neither is any met with until after a descent of eighty feet, in winding round the face of the momitain. The Welland River is a largo stream peculiarly adapted tor an extensive navigation, being from twelve to eighteen feet in depth, and from thre(; to four chains in width. It di- vides the pt'uinsula discharging into the Niagara river two and a hall mikis above the falls, and extends with almost a dead level from thirty to forty miles into tin; country. The * Till' Kenlluiiiai) who i* iiukilmI .t lliu licjii ol tliis lulicli; now occupij-s lliat «iUuUiuii, Account of the WcUamI Canal. company have pciwer to construct a lowing path on the Ni- agara river, from Fort Erie to the Wellanore like a large river than an artificial navigfilion. Another remarkable feature in this navigation is, that by throwing a dam over and constructing a lock in the Wel- land river below the entrance of tlu; canal, and raising the locks two feet, the water may be raised throughout the ca- nal to a depth of ten feet, with very little additional expense; the lowing path is now raised four feel above the surface in situations where excavation is necessary, with a view to this extension, whenever il may b(! found desirable. W(! have been thus tniniite in describing the geographical situation of this canal through the Peninsula and its progress and |)r(ispects, as it has seldom been noticed, and its utility is likely to be tested by actual experiment before it will be fuirlv before the public. Disia Osw< Same add 2 Fiom AiU{ which gi ton, u| Residf 'he prinj «f port Accoitut of the Wclland Canal. lo The extent of waters or countries whicli it will conned, can be realized only by looking at a map or chart of North America. Lake Erie is the natural outlet of St. Clair, Michigan, Huron and Superior, bordering on a country containing two hundred and six thousand square miles, be- sides the state and valley of Ohio, a part of which may fair- ly be included, as it will be connected with lake Erie by the Ohio canal, extending to the mouth of the Scioto river three hundred and fifty miles, which is two thousand miles from New Orleans and only nine hundred and eighty from New York by the Ohio and Erie canals, the produce from which will cost only one dollar per cwt. The next question to be determined is, when property is once afloat on lake Erie, where will be its destination, as it must pass either through the Wclland or Erie canal. For ourselves we consider all reasoning on this subject superflu- ous, for any person who fairly conlprehends the extent of country lying on and above lake Erie, must be morally certain, that it will aflbrd ample business for at least two channels. The projectors of this canal maintain, that property can be conveyed to New York market, cheaper through the VVelland, than the western part of the Erie canal, which opinion is supported by the following numericjil calculation. Distance from Buffalo to Syracuse, where the Oswego ca- nal intersects the Erie, two hundred miles, which at 1 J cent per ton per mile for toll is - - $3 200 miles transportation 1 J- cent per mile .'3 '^G add 1 i cent per mile for additional toll up - - 3 Distancefrom river WellandtoOntario IGJ miles, Oswego to Syracus>(5 - - 32 i^y ton, and ascending '1 70 7.5 48^— $1 '15 Same price as the Erie, add 2.5 miles for (J rand Uiv< r. From Welland canal harbour to Oswego Add additional 1 \ cent lor 73 miles up which gives a gain in descending of $2 BO per —3 20 liesidcs which the fuiimving reasons are assigned. First, the principal exp(!nse in transportation by vess(fls, consists »f port charges. loading and dinchnrging — and as vessels & Account of the WeUand Canal ta CO iVnm Wolland cana l'« "^J/^^^tHumlion of voyage. an \ nv ."ty «"'le«v ^f ^'L?on oflaUe Erie which contracts s'-U ^l'^ P^'^"^'^' *T" Por Albino, a.ul tlie prevalence forverinarrowspace^^^^^^^^^^^ of westerly w'""*^ *^^^'- ,.»■ w.o »o take »)lat« every to the citizens ol uu^ ."— ded region. ,onseq«ence to the gro^^^"* m :^'\'^; H IS a matter of httU '^"^l':. consumed, so long a» nc pa I f the world, lus l"^^^' "^^^E^^S a demand, or by what Kas to depend ..n a ['^''^'-'"r/^tis interest consists m the rfAnnel it reaches that ;'''^'^*^\; 'V%' ;, ,»^easuve or any nn- vaCof the articles at I'^X;.- to ac^^ate this foreign mter- ;tv^ment winch te.^ e. ^ ta, ,,„,,ortat.on adds so bK;;rS^h^l.-er,andconse.^^^^^^^ ^^C'Bntish .ovcnmen. l;as ;-j;i':;-me^a.r'U no t< to enable the '"I'f " .•"^\'.,, York on similar cond.l on. Account of the Velland Canal. 9 complisbod in a few years. In this manner lake Erie will be connected with the Ocean by canals of only seve ,ty six miles in length — sixteen to Ontario, and sixty on the St. Lawrence, which will render this extensive lake coast a sea coast, to all intents and purposes. It remains to be seen, whether produce can be shipped at once from thence to a foreign market, by the gulf of St. Lawrence on better terms, than by the Erie canal to New York where the market generally is preferred. DESCRIPTION OF MACHINERV. The facility with which the earth is removed in deep cut- ting, by means of the improved machine invented by Oliver Phelps, must be obvious upon the slightest inspection of the accompanying plan, and must necessarily supercede the use of any other method hitherto made use of for this purpose, both on account of the increase of power, and the simplicity and cheapness of its construction, which consists of nothing more than a cominon wagon wheel, with the addition of u rim for the purpose of fastening on the rope by which the carts are drawn up. This wheel is so placed, on an axle or upright piece firmly supported by a brace fastened in a piece of timber bedded in the earth, and two po-^'ts framed together and so placed as to keep the wheel stea .>, with two shives fixed to the sides to keep the rope in its place. A road is constructed in the side of the bank, in an oblong direction, forming an angle of about fifteen degrees from the top where this machinery is placed, to the bottom of the canal. The great advantage derived from this method is that no power is lost, for the empty team descending assists the one ascend- ing — thereby reducing the ascent to a level. Six teams may be attached to each machine, and work without the least inconvenience or i.'iterruption. Georcik Kkefek, JfN". REMARKS.* Having been gratified, during the late autumn, by a visit to the deep cut on the Welland Canal, we were, in common * By the Editor of ilm Aiiu'ricaii Joiiiiial ol' Science, fiom which woik th'' iibove ntcouiit is rrpiiiid-d, Ju rciinii t cf (he Williiiiil ('until. witli our wlidlf |)iiily, I' Div ,-; OlllCUIlC'V n r ll Willi lilt' siin|)li( a\ ;iii(i 10 iiia(liinc'i\ line (•-('iiDcn II t.l-f: aiK o.\(Mi wcrr (iri\tii rapidly t'nwii tlu' iiuliiuMi n);i(l> on the hiink olllu' canal, (Irair.ii'"^ al'lir tluMii their oiii[.ly \va;:ony. niiii at the same time iiuided l»\ teams, soiMS to descend ])ositin^f lht>i!- loads. Tiie uiiloadinu; was an all'air ol'uidv a lew' seiunds. The IiihI\ (if »tie wa^on luirm ti\ed on an axis, rniniinj: loniiiludina'ly, was easily inaiil- aiH c, when the load dropped out by the tnrnin;j: of the liudy, \vhil(> the nheeis remained undisturbed. an