Report of the Commissioners of the State of Massachusetts; On the Routes of Canals from Boston Harbour to Connecticut and Hudson Rivers (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1826 edition. Excerpt: ...two miles in length, the line could descend the western flank, to Hoosack River, in Adams. But there are powerful objections to this route;. as it is not probable that suflicient water could be obtained, to supply the vast consumption of such a lofty line of locks; and if this could be effected, the difference of height of the bed of a tunnel above the surface of the Deerfield, here, and at the Great Bend, being probably six or eight hundred feet, will cost more for locks, than theextra two miles of tunnel, at the latter place; for, to pass an elevation of 116 feet, which requires, ascending and descending, 232 feet of locks, the expense is equal to a mile of tunnel; and a boat can pass the latter in a sixth part of the time, which would be consumed in going through the former. One mile and a quarter above Cold-River, Pelham Brook enters the Deerfield, fromthe-north. It has its source in Rowe, and affords sufiicient water for several mills. " From Cold River to the Great Bend, about 11 of a mile above King s house, there are no serious obstructions to be encountered, except at Stone-Gate falls, where the mountains rise precipitously from the immediate bed of the river;, and for eight or ten rods it will be necessary to cut a shelf in the rock, on which to run the canal, or supportlit upon an embankment reveted with a stone wall; and then run it over to the right bank, as the land is more favourable, on that side of the river for excavation. The whole distance from the Great Bend to Connecticut River is 34% miles, and the fall 611955; feet. The height of Hoosack mountain, above the surface of Deerfield River, opposite King s house in the town of Florida, is 1448 feet, and 206093"; higher than the Connecticut, at the...