Beaver creek," or rather river, up that stream and Shenango creek thirty miles and two hundred and forty perches, terminating in Mercer county. It has eight miles and one hundred perches of canal, and twenty-two miles and one hundred and forty perches of slackwater. made by seven dams. There will be eighteen lift and guard locks on this line, which, for size and quality of stone, and for solidity and beauty of masonry, are not surpassed by any locks that the Board have ever seen. This line has progressed steadily since the appropriation of the sixteenth of February last, and it is expected that, from New Castle to Beaver, the canal will be ready for navigation before the setting in of winter. for navigation. This division of the public improvements, commences on the Allegheny river, near the borough of Franklin, ninety-three miles above the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, or main line of the Pennsylvania canal; and it is carried up French Creek twenty-two and a fourth miles, to the "feeder," from whence the feeder forms the continuation of the canal, up which the right branch proceeds eleven miles, and the left branch down the feeder twelve and a half miles, to Conneaut lake. The whole division is forty-five miles and two hundred and sixty-four perches long, of which about twenty-seven and a fourth miles is canal, and eighteen and a half miles is slack water; and, with the Conneaut lake, will give about fifty miles of nagition. There are twelve dams, and eighteen lift and By the act of the twenty-seventh March, 1833, the Canal Commissioners were required to have a towing path constructed along the pool of the dam in Shenan-guard-locks, on the line. go creek, six miles of which were put under contract, and the grubbing on it has been done: but for want of funds, this towing path, and the dam in the Shenango, and also a guard lock at New Castle and all the lock houses had to be suspended. The last year's appropriation to this division is exhausted; and a dam near the head of the feeder, a towing path along the pool of the dam, and many other jobs of work on the division, have been suspended until another season, for want of funds. The additional appropriation required to complete The increased expense of the line over the last year's the Beaver division, arises from the Shenango towing- estimate, is owing to an inadvertent omission in pro path, the guard lock at New Castle, and other indispen-viding for contingent expenses; to several new works sable work on the line not embraced in last year's esti- having been added; to damages done by a flood in Sepmate; also from an increased expense in removing quick-tember last, and other unforeseen difficulties in consands and hill slips, and in repairing damages done by a flood in September last, which seriously injured two dams, and partially injured some other works, which, at the time, were in an unfinished and unprotected condition. The suspended work can all be completed during the next season. Statement of the Funds appropriated to the Beaver Di vision. Amount available of appropriations of 1831 and 1832 Pro rata deduction under act of 11th June, 1832, refunded struction; to additional strength given to the work; and above all, to re-lettings, by which a large amount of work advanced in price forty per cent. over the contract prices of last year. The main stem of the division will be navigable next spring; and the suspended work may be completed, and the feeder also put in good order for navigation, by the first of September, 1834. Statement of the Funds appropriated to the Franklin line Pro rata deduction under act of ele- $222,421 26 $181,145 39 4,660 39 4,022 92 $424,241 62 162,991 98 Deduct the above balance of Estimated cost of completing 59,177 91 the work 107,794 87 139,774 41 Amount required to complete the division, including the Shenango towing path Deduct the above balance 45,376 36 near Dunnstown, two miles and two hundred and sixteen perches below Smith's ripples, the question of a final location was left open for further examination, and only one and a half miles of the feeder, at its lower end, was put under contract. hundred and thirteen perches long, with forty-three which was four miles and fifty-six perches long; but as feet of lockage, but that expectation has been disap-another site for building a feeder dam presented itself, pointed in consequence of a scarcity of labourers. There are on this line, several sections requiring either deep excavation through rock, or heavy outside protection walls to be built, and consequently a large force was necessary on those jobs, that could not be obtained in that neighborhood. Much difficulty was Such was the situation of this part of the line, at the experienced in sinking the pit and getting in the foun- date of our last report: Further examinations were made dation of an outlet lock at the mouth of Solomon's last winter and spring, which resulted in a conviction, creek, and the site of the feeder dam in the Lackawan- that the site for a feeder dam at Dunnstown was, in mana creek had to be changed, on account of a quick-ny respects, much more eligible than the one at Smith's sand. These several obstacles are nearly surmounted, ripples. At the latter place, the river is very narrow, and it is believed that the canal will be ready for na- and the dam would rest on a gravel bottom; both of vigation early next spring. which circumstances are decidedly objectionable: while Statement of the Funds appropriated to the Wyoming bottom is solid rock. Another important consideration at the former place, the river is wide, and a part of its Line. $167,136 76 2,553 63 115,202 46 $284,892 85 227,041 18 Balance on hand October thirty-one, 1833 $57,851 67 There is due, for retained per centage Estimated cost of work to be done 12,488 16 62,705 09 was, that the Dunnstown site would insure a better supply of water on the lower levels, by shortening the length of the feeder. The difficulties that had been experienced by the river trade, at the chutes of the Muncy, Shamokin, and Nanticoke dams, made the Board anxious to have the one at the feeder dam constructed in the best manner, which could be done with entire safety to the descending river trade on the smooth solid rock at Dunnstown, but could not be done with so much certainty on the gravel bottom at Smith's ripples. These reasons, of themselves sufficient to convince the Board of the superiority of the Dunnstown site for the dam, were still further strengthened by a comparative estimate of the engineer, which proved that twentyseven thousand nine hundred and two dollars and fortythree cents, would be saved by its adoption. The feeder dam is eight hundred and fifty-two feet long and eleven and a half feet high above low water mark. It is built of crib work, filled with stone, and has a base of seventy-eight feet, and fifty feet of gravelling, thus making the entire base of the dam one hundred and twenty-eight feet. The chute is twelve hundred and eight feet long and thirty feet wide, construct$17,341 58 ed in the most substantial manner. The dam and chute will both be completed by the first day of next January. 75,193 25 227,041 18 $302,234 43 miles and two Lycoming Line of the West Branch Division. The West Branch division of the Pennsylvania canal, extends from the junction of the Susquehanna and North Branch divisions at Northumberland, seventytwo miles, to the base of the Allegheny mountain, and with the Lewisburg and Bald Eagle side cuts, will give seventy-six and one-fourth miles of navigation. The first twenty-four miles of the division are called the Muncy Line, and the upper forty-seven and a half miles, the Lycoming Line. Twenty-six and a half miles are navigable; forty-five and three-fourths miles (including the two side cuts) are under contract, and four miles of towing-path along the pool of the feeder dam, are not under contract. The feeder dam affords slackwater to the vicinity of the bituminous coal region, where large preparations are now making for the transportation of that mineral upon the canal. It is estimated that thirty-three thousand nine hundred and eighty-one dollars, would be sufficient to construct a towing-path along the slack water of this dam. This would add four miles to the navigation, and be greatly to the advantage of the coal trade. This sum of thirty-three thousand nine hundred and eighty-one dollars is not included in the estimate for completing the Lycoming line. The engineer of the line was directed to make a survey and an estimate of the cost of connecting the Lycoming line with the Bald Eagle creek, at its mouth, and also to connect the creek and the canal above the Great Island. The latter connection was found to be the cheapest, and it possessed many advantages over the former, which induced the Board to adopt the present location and put the work under contract. It is nearly completed. This side cut commences in Centre counThe Lewisburg side cut, which is two hundred perch- ty, by a dam four and a half feet high in the Bald Eaes long, branches from the Muncy line six miles above gle creek, where there is also a guard lock, and it terNorthumberland. It has a dam in the West Branch, minates in the pool of the feeder dam, by a lock of two and a half feet high, and three lift locks, overcom-eight feet lift. It is three miles and two hundred and ing twenty-one feet of lockage. This short but useful eight perches long, and will be an invaluable improveinlet to the canal, is completed, except a small towing- ment. path bridge and a lock-house. The Lycoming Line, as originally planned in 1831, for the purpose of creating slackwater, was to have six dams in the river, embracing a large one at the head of the line located opposite the Great Island. Early in 1832, before any work was done at the dams, they were suspended, and an independent canal was substituted instead of slackwater; and subsequently, a feeder was located, to be taken from the river at Smith's ripples, There are fourteen guard and lift locks, overcoming ninety feet of lockage, between the pool of Muncy dam and the head of the Bald Eagle side cut, and seven aqueducts, the aggregate length of their trunks is one thousand and forty-two feet. Although the country through which the Lycoming line passes, is generally favorable for the construction of the canal, yet there are many heavy and expensive jobs on the line, such as clams, chutes, aqueducts, deep 37,491 98 1832 77,871 24 35,226 28 150,589 50 excavations, rocky bluffs and high protection walls; and Disbursed in 1831 The Lycoming line, in common with all the branch lines, has been greatly delayed for want of adequate appropriations, but during the past season the work on it has generally been prosecuted with diligence. A greater scarcity of mechanics was experienced on this line, than on any other portion of the public works. These causes have produced the common complaints of a perpetual succession of re-lettings, at higher prices. To this cause may principally be ascribed the enhanced cost of the line: but the increase of this year's estimate over that of last year, is also partly owing to the works having been greatly strengthened, and the Bald Eagle side cut not being included in last year's estimate. From Loyalsock feeder downwards, about fourteen miles may be finished by the first of July, and the remainder of the line can be completed by the first of September, 1834. Statement of the Funds of the Lycoming Line, and Lewisburg and Bald Eagle side cuts. Amount available of appropriations of Balance on hand October thirty-one, 1833 $15,160 80 done Whole cost of eight miles and two hun- 60 80 150,589 50 15,100 00 $165,689 50 A Statement of the Funds appropriated to the Franks town line. Amount available of appropriations of 724,129 59 1831 and 1832 Pro rata deduction, under act of eleventh $380,784 40 Pro rata deduction under the act of ele. 24,259 56 32,712 14 Appropriation of the sixteenth of February, 1833 6,639 46 Disbursed in 1831 $857,431 76 60,752 89 761,758 78 1832 1833 174,688 34 Balance on hand thirty-first October, 1833 19,342 51 18,999 92 706,008 47 per centage the work Balance on hand, October thirty-one, 1833 $151,423 29 There is due on this line for Estimated cost of completing Excess of appropriations $342 59 61,300 97 391,271 40 18,999 92 $780,758 70 Miles. Perhes. 151,423 29 Amount required to complete the division $301, 149 08 Whole amount paid, is 706,008 47 Whole length miles, 41 194 Per centage retained and work to be done Damages. 452,572 37 Cost when completed The following sums have been paid within the last year, upon the several divisions, for damages: $1,158,580 84 Columbia railway Miles. Perches. Western division Beaver division French creek feeder $8,152 00 9,919 50 133 68 The Columbia line of the Eastern division, and the Frankstown line of the Juniata division were both filled with water last fall, subsequently to the date of our last report. A number of jobs on those lines, which at that time were in progress have been completed. Several contracts on the Columbia line are yet unfinished. The following is a statement of the funds appropriated to those lines and of their cost. Statement of the Funds appropriated to 8 miles and 227. Pro rata deduction under act of eleventh Appropriation of the sixteenth of Febru- Susquehanna division $72,244 10 The counsel of the Commonwealth were directed by the Board, previous to the argument of the cause pend ing in the Supreme court for damages upon the Eastern promise, the same sums which had been offered to division, to offer to the respective claimants, as a comthem by the resolution of the Board of the twenty-fifth of September, 1830. Offers of compromise were also di rected to be made, with one exception, to the other claimants, in causes pending in the Supreme court at 2,469 36 Lancaster and at Sunbury. The offers of the compromise made, in the cause pending at Sunbury, were ac 35,835 25 cepted; they have since been paid, and satisfaction is entered. Neither of the offers of compromise, to claim$165,750 30 ants upon the Eastern division, were accepted. The causes were argued before the Supreme court at Lancaster, in May last. Four of the seventeen have been decided in favour of the Commonwealth, and the others are still pending. A Statement of the sums appropriated and applicable to the new lines, and of the sums required to complete the same. Sums appropri'd. Sums required. nango towing-path 424,241 62 Franklin line and north and west ends feeder Wyoming line and Lackawanna feeder 348,160 29 284,892 85 Lycoming line and Lewisburg and Bald Eagle side cuts 857,431 76 the Portage railway, is for the next For expenses of horses, if horses are Six locomotive engines for the Colum $41,666 50 18,732 50 10,000 00 51,000 00 bia railway, watering places, depots, workshops, &c. are estimated at No estimate has been made of the expense of working the locomotive engines. Before closing this report, the Board wish to call the attention of the Legislature to the propriety of authorizing the construction of locks, to connect the Susquehanna river with the canal at Ritner's, on the Susquehanna division, so as to afford an inlet to the coal that is carried on the Lykens Valley railway; and on the 301,149 08 Columbia line, opposite to the works of the Codorus Navigation Company, that a large portion of the citizens of York county may participate more fully in the benefits of the State improvement; and also at Harrisburg, for the convenience of the citizens of Cumberland county. $1,640,672 00 The legislative provisions in relation to the Columbia, Chicques and Marietta road, the road on sections eighty-eight and eighty-nine of the North Branch division, and the abutments of the French creek feeder dam at Bemus' mill, have been severally acted on by the 100,000 00 Board. 475,000 00 $2,265,000 00 The examination and survey of the damages sustained by the owners of private property, by the construction of the tunnel through Grants' Hill, in the city of Pittsburg, has been made, as directed by the resolution of the eighth of April last, and will be the subject of a special report. Signed by order of the Board. JAMES CLARKE, President. Statement of the property conveyed on the Pennsylvania Canal and Railway during the year ending of 31st Oc Provisions. Statement of property conveyed on Pennsylvania canal and railway, continued. Wool. Cotton. Hemp. |Tobacco. Leather, &c Furs, &c COLLECTORS' Spirits. dize. 18,907 44,039 1,437,145 309,998 47,414 38,436 384,590 Whiskey. Domestic For.Liquor. Merchan- Oil Gyp Furni-Win'w Rags. sum. ture. Glas. Gall'ns Tons. Pounds. Boxes. Pounds. |