Correspondence relative to the Canal Communication in Canada. principle there does not appear to us to be any objection, to the use of high dams, which is not also applicable to low, both obstructing the navigation of the river (and there are already existing several mill-dams on the Rideau), but the failure of a high dam would occasion so much expense in its repair, and so long an interruption to the navigation, that we think they should only be used where local circumstances render it absolutely necessary, more especially as two low dams may in most cases be made to produce the effect of one high one, and would be cheaper in the construction. Of the two highest dams Lieut.-Colonel By has proposed, one is across the Rideau at the Hog's Back, which is 45 feet high and 400 feet in length, the second at Jones' Falls on the Cataraqui, which is 48 feet in height and 140 feet in length; the sites are near quarries from which the stone to be used in their construction may be easily conveyed. The banks of the river are favourable, and their construction enables him to place the necessary locks together, instead of in two or more divisions, which would lead to additional expense in the number of lock keepers, quarters, &c. As every thing depends on these high dams being so constructed as to resist the great pressure of water to which they would be subjected, we have attentively considered the two sections which Lieut.-Colonel By has proposed for these two dams, which differ considerably in their proportions; and we decidedly prefer the second design, which we recommend to be adopted, also (with the requisite modification for the difference in height) at the Hog's Back. We learn from Lieut. Pooley, that the dam at the Hog's Back was begun before he left the country, and would probably be raised to the height of 10 or 12 feet before the winter sets in, which will afford grounds for forming an opinion as to the ultimate success. Should any doubt arise, we would recommend that the dam should be finished only to half the proposed height, and a second dam formed, where necessary, in advance, or recourse had to cutting. This of course would occasion an alteration in the disposition of the locks, as it would be necessary to advance a corresponding portion of them, and in the case of the Hog's Back, a little additional expense in forming fresh excavations for the locks to be so advanced; and here we would also recommend that the upper portion of locks at this point should not be commenced until the dam was carried to the intended height (whatever that may ultimately be), and no reason seen to doubt its durability. We are of opinion that means will be obtained to float timber over the dams without injury, and we are informed that the right to all the rivers in Upper Canada is specially reserved to the Crown, with a way or communication on both banks; should this opinion and information prove correct, no well-grounded cause of complaint against the dams would exist. With regard to the expense of the dams proposed by Lieut.-Colonel By, as compared with the cutting of a Canal to attain the same object, we are not possessed of sufficient information, as Lieut.-Colonel By, though he has given in each instance the length of cutting to be saved, has not given the depth of cutting, nor more than a general description of the nature of the ground, neither has Mr. Clowes given any sections of this cutting in these parts; but having well considered the information and data we could obtain as to the comparative economy of each, we are induced to believe it will preponderate in favour of dams. It would no doubt be satisfactory, before proceeding with more than those dams now in progress, to have a calculation of the expense of cutting at each point where dams are proposed in lieu thereof, founded on sections of the ground, and of borings to ascertain its nature. We come now to the second head of our Instructions: "To give an opinion and report upon the amount and upon all the details "of expense of the Estimate transmitted by Lieut.-Colonel By, and whether any. "less expensive mode of effecting the object in view can be devised." For the above purpose we have very carefully examined and analyzed every part of Lieut.-Colonel By's estimate that would be compared with the surveys of the ground, and the designs he has furnished for the various works, and though there are some considerable differences in various items between our calculations and Lieut.-Colonel By's, sometimes in excess and at others in diminution, we consider the estimate on the whole to have been formed with much care and accuracy. We Canal Communication in Canada. We have drawn out in Paper (A.) which accompanies this Report, a list of those Correspondence items where we were enabled to enter into a comparison, and in which our calcula- relative to the tions differ from the estimate either in excess or diminution, by which it will be seen that our calculation is on all these items £.7,607. 1. 11. less than Lieut.-Colonel By's; but as the principal discrepancies are found in the cuttings and embankments, where we frequently have not sufficiently numerous sections to show all the accidents of the ground, we would not recommend this difference to be deducted from the amount of the estimate. We have carefully examined the design for the locks on which Lieut.-Colonel By's estimate is grounded, which seem in general to be judiciously and carefully formed; but observing that the side walls of the eleven locks contracted for, which are on an average 18 feet in height, are proposed to be six feet six inches thick at top and eight feet at bottom, and although we are aware that these walls will necessarily have to support the pressure of the earth whilst in a green state, and that allowance must also be made for the effect of severe frost on the masonry, still we are induced to be of opinion, that a reduction of one foot in the thickness of these walls might safely be made, which could create a saving of oneeighth of the masonry of these locks. We have no sections of the remaining locks to enable us to decide if their side walls will admit of similar diminution of thickness; but we are led to think, from the quantity of masonry in the different items of the estimate, that such will be found to be the case; and we recommend this important point for consideration on the spot, with a Report, accompanied by the fullest documents necessary for its decision. With regard to that part of our instructions wherein we are required "To report whether any less expensive mode of effecting the objects in view can be devised," we are unable to point out decidedly any reduction, except that which might arise from lessening the thickness of his side walls, on which we hope that a saving to a considerable amount may be effected, together with a saving of about £.9,000, which we are of opinion might be made in the items of the estimate, for cutting a straight channel for the Cataraqui River, through the marsh above Kingston, as it appears that the navigation here might be sufficiently improved for present purposes, by cutting off some of the principal elbows of the river, although a little time will be lost in the longer channel; and here it should be observed, that we cannot suggest any alterations, in consequence of the judicious arrangements of Lieut.-Colonel By, planning that his heaviest works, as far as hitherto designed, should be so placed as to have stone near at hand; that he has obtained contracts by public competition for the first eleven locks, and the other constructions of masonry at the entrance of the Canal, not exceeding 1 s. 1 d. per cubic foot, which is about one-fifth less than the estimated price. Now, although there may be some grounds for apprehending, that as the works advance into the unsettled and little explored parts of the line, the expense of procuring provisions for the workmen, and transporting of materials may occasion an increase of the contract prices, yet we have reason to hope that by a continuance of the preparatory measures above described, the prices will be but little augmented, and may, in cases where quarries are very favourably situated, be even diminished. We therefore think that although Lieut.-Colonel By may have been right in estimating the masonry at his valuation of 1 s. 5d. per cubic foot, the average of the contract prices may be expected not to exceed 1 s. 2 d., and a saving in the execution of one-sixth of the estimate for masonry be expected under the head of price. The prices in Lieut.-Colonel By's estimate for digging in the various kinds of soil, and in rock, and for clearing ground, fences, bridges, &c. appear to us, on the whole, to be moderate; that at £. 15. 15. per acre for grubbing (the total of which amounts to £. 3,038. 18. 6.) appeared at first sight to be very high, but on considering the nature of the work, and the care with which it must be done, we were less surprized to learn that the lowest tender received by the Commissary General, at public competition, for this service, amounted to the sum stated in the estimate. This seems to be the proper stage of our Report for offering some remarks on the plan and estimate of Mr. Clowes, the civil engineer, for this navigation, and which we apprehend we are called upon to consider in the first article of your instructions. Correspondence relative to the Canal Communication in Canada. No general plan, or particular places of locks or other works, are furnished by Mr. Clowes, nor any prices for his masonry or carpenters' work, nor any sections or borings to ascertain the nature of the soil, and extent of his cuttings in earth and rock; a gross sum or quantity is taken for each as they occur on his line, but from what we have already shown, we do not think the lockage can be executed in a more economical manner than that which we have suggested, and which will be about as much as the total of Mr. Clowes's estimate for the whole navigation, and which conclusion we are confirmed in by the much greater proportionate expenditure on the La Chine Canal. With regard to the estimate for cutting 25 miles of canal, which he proposes to form, as we have no sections or borings of the ground, we cannot speak decidedly; but there seems reason for concluding that the quantities and nature of the cuttings are greatly under-rated. Mr. Clowes also has omitted in his estimate to provide for many services absolutely necessary in the execution of his project, besides the total omission of any per-centage for contingencies, which, in Lieut.-Colonel By's estimate amount, at the usual rate of onetenth, to £. 42,862. 18. 10. On the whole we are of opinion, that after allowing Mr. Clowes much credit for skill and industry in exploring and marking the best general line for effecting this Water Communication, under many difficulties occasioned by the state of the country, and with probably little professional assistance, his estimate for executing the necessary work is quite inadequate, and with his report, are rather calculated to show the practicability of the measure, than to give an accurate calculation of the expense of effecting it. This conclusion, we think, will appear well founded, on a careful consideration of the numerous plans, prepared with great labour and attention by Lieut.-Colonel By, and his officers, and which were all necessary before any satisfactory design or estimate for the Canal could have been made. The only item in Lieut.-Colonel By's estimate, of the necessity of which we are not yet sufficiently informed, is the construction of a bridge (at the expense of nearly £.3,000) across the Ottawa, in the vicinity of the entrance and principal works on the Canal. The motive is stated to have been to induce the contractors to undertake the works on lower terms than they otherwise would have done, by opening an easy communication with the only settlement in that part of the country, from which their supplies of provisions, and many articles of materials, could be obtained at less expense than otherwise would have been incurred; and it seems not unreasonable to conclude, that the measure has had the effect of lowering the contract prices considerably. But a full report in all its bearings on this subject seems required, embracing also the consideration of the means of making the bridge repay part of its expense, by levying a toll on all passengers and materials, excepting those employed on the Canal. On the question, whether a less expensive mode of effecting this navigation can be devised? we have already stated all the saving which we think can with safety be made, in Lieut.-Colonel By's Plan; but a mode might be found of keeping down the present expense of the undertaking (though it certainly would not be ultimately economical), by executing those locks of the Canal not yet begun, in wood instead of masonry. Eleven locks in masonry are understood to be in progress; the remaining thirty-six might therefore be of wood. We cannot in this country calculate with much accuracy the expense of this construction, but see reason to believe, from the best information we can procure of the prices of timber and workmanship in Canada, that the expense would not exceed one-third that of masonry. We are of opinion, however, that nothing but weighty financial considerations would sanction the adoption of wooden locks, which could only be considered a temporary expedient. On the question of the docks of enlarged dimensions, proposed by Lieut.Colonel By, on which we are, by the third head of our instructions, desired to report, the Lieut.-Colonel has suggested the considerable advantage, as regards both commerce and military operations, which would accrue from enlarging the locks of the Rideau Navigation from 20 to 50 feet, leaving the depth as at present, five feet. This, he says, could be effected at an expense of £. 50,000, to which has to be added about £.3,000 for widening the locks already begun. We do not, however, see any immediate advantage likely to be derived from this partial measure, sufficient to justify the expense above stated; but, should well-grounded reasons exist for expecting that at a future period an extended steam navigation from Lake Ontario to Quebec may not be beyond the financial means of the two countries to execute, then cation in Canada. then we think this proposition of Lieut.-Colonel By's deserving of consideration; Correspondence as we are of opinion, that a general steam communication would be attended with relative to the great military advantages, and we apprehend if the whole line of the Rideau Canal Canal Communishould now be executed with twenty feet locks in masonry, this would in all probability preclude that enlargement hereafter, which would render the large steam-boats of the St. Lawrence available for Lake Ontario and the Ottawa. And here we may observe, that the expedient we suggested for effecting a present saving, by executing the remaining twenty feet locks in wood, would also have the advantage of leaving open for future decision this important question of the enlarged steam navigation, a the construction of thirty-six locks could only be temporary, to be replaced hereafter by locks in stone, of whatever dimensions should then be found most eligible. The following Statement shows what we suppose would be the expense of the different contractions previously considered. ፡፡ Lieut.-Colonel By's Estimate for the Rideau Communication; locks in £.474,844. 1. 2. stone Ditto modified by this Committee, and the cost of the masonry reduced if the remaining 36 locks be executed in wood, £. 330,118. 7. 2. In obedience to the last article of our instructions, to report whether Lieut.Colonel By has not "lost sight entirely of the plan and estimate for the "work, having the same object in view which the late Master-General and Board contemplated, when they ordered Lieut.-Colonel By to execute the service, "viz. the plan and estimate framed by a civil engineer in the country, and in an " addition of £. 24,000 sterling, by the committee of engineers, of which Sir James Smyth was president, being to provide £. 500. in addition for each lock, in order "to make them of the same size with those of the La Chine Canal, but that he has "not distinctly reported that he has done so, much less accounted for his doing so, "excepting verbally through Lieutenant Pooley; and whether Lieut.-Colonel By, was not repeatedly referred to those plans and estimates, and positively "ordered to adhere to them,"-We have to state, that Lieut.-Colonel By appears to have adhered generally to the line of country pointed out in his instructions, but has deviated from the tracing intended by the civil engineer's estimate, to which he was referred, in the places already mentioned, in all which the Lieut.Colonel appears to have been guided by a desire to effect the object in the most judicious and beneficial manner. We also find, that he has strictly followed the dimensions of the Canal and locks which were proposed by the Commission of Engineers, and ordered by the Master-General to be executed. With respect to the estimate framed by the civil engineer, and augmented by the sum of £. 24,000 by the Commission of Engineers, we are of opinion that Lieut.-Colonel By did not lose sight of it; as he reported, on the 6th December 1826, "That he had great "doubt whether the work could be performed for £. 169,000; but that he could not venture to give a decided opinion on the subject, until he had well examined "the whole line." We have already offered our opinion on the inadequacy of that amount, and it does not appear to us that detailed estimates founded on accurate measurements and levels could be prepared and transmitted until the second summer. The documents referred for our consideration, are returned with this Report. THERE is one subject in this Report in which, from local knowledge, I cannot agree with the other members of the Committee, and that is, relative to the adoption of wooden locks upon the thirty-six remaining locks of the Rideau Canal, upon the principle of leaving open the question of, whether the locks are to be employed, or to continue at twenty feet in breadth, for future discussion. The augmentation of the Rideau locks, without the whole series of Canals and locks from Montreal to the Rideau were similarly enlarged, would afford no military advantage whatever; and the idea of making an uninterrupted steam navigation Correspondence relative to the Canal Communication in Canada. from the St. Lawrence, by either the north or south sides of Montreal Island, the Ottawa and the Rideau, appears to me too gigantic and expensive an undertaking even seriously to be thought of. I would certainly prefer going on upon our present plan, with locks and masonry of the present dimensions, at whatever rate of yearly expenditure it may be convenient to His Majesty's Government to allow, having recourse only to the wooden locks in the event of the probability of hostilities rendering the early completion of the work necessary. January 22d, 1828. (signed) J. Carmichael Smyth, M. Gen'. No. 39.-LETTER from R. W. Hay, Esq. to R. Byham, Esq. SIR, &c. &c. Downing-street, 25th Feb. 1828. WITH reference to my letter of this day's date, transmitting the copy of an Order of the Committee of the House of Commons, for information relative to the public works, projected or begun in the Canadas, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Huskisson to acquaint you, for the information of the Master General and Board of Ordnance, that it is his intention to submit to Parliament an Estimate for the sum of £. 41,000, on account of the Rideau Canal, without pledging Government as to the amount to be required for this service another year; and he will also submit an Estimate for £.15,000 on account of the Grenville Canal, and Chûte à Blondeau, Carillon and St. Ann's Rapids. I am, &c. R. W. Hay. No. 40.-LETTER from the Right Hon. W. Huskisson to the MY LORD, Having attentively perused the Report of the Committee of Engineers, appointed to examine into the merits of the Plans and Estimates furnished by Lieut.-Colonel By, and that adopted by the Commission, of which Sir James Smyth was President; I do not concur in the opinion of that officer, that no advantage is likely to result from enlarging the locks of the Rideau Canal, without the whole series of locks on the Water Communication from Montreal to Kingston was similarly enlarged. It appears to me, that very considerable military and commercial advantages would accrue from enlarging the locks of the Rideau Navigation from twenty to fifty feet and if the Committee shall concur in the opinion of Lieut.-Colonel By, that this important object can be effected at an additional expense of £. 50.000, with a further charge of £. 3,000 for widening the locks already begun, it will, I think, be advisable to leave to their discretion to authorize Lieut.-Colonel By to proceed with the construction of the locks, either to the increased dimension of fifty feet, or of any intermediate size between twenty and fifty, which may appear to them more expedient. With regard to the amount of annual expenditure to be incurred on this work' I propose to defer coming to any decision, until the Report of the Board of Officers who are to investigate the subject in Canada, has been received, and submitted to the consideration of His Majesty's Government; and it is therefore intended to confine the Estimate for 1828 to the same amount which was voted by Parliament last year. On the subject of the Works at Kingston, I will avail myself of an early opportunity of expressing my opinion in a separate letter. |