CANALS.–RAIL-ROADS
CANALS
New York was the pioneer in the introduction of this species of improvement. The Erie Canal, commenced in 1817 and finished in 1825; since when the canals in this Slate alone have been extended to 950 miles at an expense of 20,000,000; upon which the tolls collected from 1829 to 1836, amounted to 9,983,637 dollars.
TABLE,
SHOWING THE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF CANALS AND RAIL-ROADS.
Speed per
hour. |
Daily du-
ration of labour. |
Daily dist.
trav. by a h’se draw- ing 112 lbs. |
Load for 1
horse on a canal. |
Load for 1
horse on a rail-road. |
Horses to draw on canal the load of one horse on a rail-road. |
| ms. | h. m. | miles. | tons. | tons. | horses. |
| 312 | 5 42 | 20 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 1 |
| 4 | 5 | 20 | 7.5 | 9.75 | 1.3 |
| 5 | 4 | 20 | 4.8 | 9.64 | 2.08 |
| 6 | 3 20 | 20 | 3.33 | 9.53 | 2.86 |
| 7 | 2 51 | 20 | 2.43 | 9.42 | 3.87 |
| 8 | 2 30 | 20 | 1.87 | 9.31 | 5.31 |
| 9 | 2 13 | 20 | 1.48 | 9.22 | 6.2 |
| 10 | 2 | 20 | 1.2 | 9.68 | 7.2 |
| 11 | 1.48 | 20 | 1 | 9 | 9 |
The splendid lines of artificial navigation in the United Stales, exceeding 4000 miles in extent, have created internal trade, promoted agriculture and business generally to an immense extent.
PRINCIPAL CANALS, Finished or in progress in the United States.
In Maine, Cumberland and Oxford, 20. In Massachusetts, Middlesex, 27. Blackstone, 45. Farmington, 78. New York, Delaware, Hudson, &c., 82. Erie, 363. Champlain, 63. Black River, 76. Oswego, 38. Chenango, 96. Cayuga, 20. Chemung, 23. Morris, 101. New Jersey, Delaware and Raritan, 43. Pennsylvania, Delaware Canal, 60. Lehigh, 66. Schuylkill, 108. Little Schuylkill, 20. Pennsylvania, 312. Susquehanna, 39. Western Branch, 66. Northern Branch, 76. Beaver, 30. French Creek, 46. Pennsylvania and Ohio. 82. Sandy and Beaver, 73. Delaware and Maryland, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, 14. Maryland, Chesapeake and Ohio, 186. Virginia and North Carolina, Dismal Swamp, 23. Virginia, James’ River, 150. South Carolina, Santee, 22. Georgia, Savannah and Alatamaha, 60. Brunswick, 12. Alabama, Muscle Shoals, 37. Louisiana, Lafourche, 85. Ohio, Miami, 265. Ohio and Erie, 306. Wabash and Erie, 110. Indiana, White Water, 76. Illinois and Chicago, 96.
RAIL-ROADS
Rail-Roads, in the facilities they furnish of transporting passengers, produce, and country merchandise, as well as In the immense amount of employment furnished to many thousand of labourers, mechanics, and others, are justly considered among the greatest improvements of the age.
Profits.–On eight rail-roads in Massachusetts in 1840, total receipts were 1,191,710 dollars; expenses, 634,786 dollars, leaving a surplus of 636,924 dollars.
TABLE,
SHOWING THE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF ANIMAL AND MECHANICAL LABOUR.
Speed per |
Daily ani- |
Daily me- |
Tons convey- |
Daily dist. by |
Daily dis- |
For labour of |
| ms. | h. m. | hours. | tons. | ms. | miles. | horses. |
| 2 | 10 | 24 | 50 | 20 | 48 | 12 |
| 3 | 6 40 | 24 | 49 33 | 20 | 72 | 18 |
| 3 12 | 5 42 | 24 | 49 | 20 | 84 | 21 |
| 4 | 5 | 24 | 48.75 | 20 | 96 | 24 |
| 5 | 4 | 24 | 48.25 | 20 | 120 | 30 |
| 6 | 3 20 | 24 | 47.66 | 20 | 144 | 36 |
| 7 | 2 51 | 24 | 47.1 | 20 | 168 | 42 |
| 8 | 2 30 | 24 | 46.55 | 20 | 192 | 48 |
| 9 | 2 13 | 24 | 46 | 20 | 216 | 54 |
| 10 | 2 | 24 | 45.5 | 20 | 240 | 60 |
| 11 | 1 48 | 24 | 45 | 20 | 264 | 66 |
PRINCIPAL RAIL-ROADS,
Finished or in progress in the U. States, connecting,
Boston and Newburyport, 33 miles; Boston and Lowell, 23; Boston and Worcester, 160; Providence and Stonington, 47; Norwich and Worcester, 58; Hartford and New Haven, 40; Utica and Schenectady, 84; Troy and Ballston, 25; Mohawk and Hudson, 16; Saratoga and Schenectady, 23; Utica and Syracuse, 50; Auburn and Syracuse, 25; Lockport and Niagara Falls, 20; Buffalo and Niagara Falls, 23; Rochester and Attica, 47; Ithaca and Owego, 29; New York and Erie, 340; Jersey City and Paterson, 15; Jersey City and Trenton, 58; Camden and Amboy, 61; Philadelphia and Trenton, 26; Philadelphia and Columbia, 82; Philadelphia and Baltimore, 93; Philadelphia and Norristown, 17; Philadelphia and Heading, 56; Danville and Pottsville, 45; Lancaster and Harrisburg, 37; Westchester, 9; Baltimore and Susquehannah, 70; Williamsport and Elmira, 74; Reading and Port Clinton, 20; Little Schuylkill, 20; Harrisburg and Chamber-burg, 49; Wrightsvllle and Gettysburg, 42; Newcastle and Frenchtown, 17; Baltimore and Ohio, 60; Baltimore and Washington, 40; Winchester and Harper’s Ferry, 30; Richmond and Potomac, 75; Richmond and Petersburg, 21; Petersburg and Blakely, 60; Portsmouth and Wildon, 80; Hickford and Gaston, 18; Raleigh and Gaston, 86; Wilmington and Halifax, 161; Charleston and Hamburg, 135; Savannah and Macon, 200; Macon and Forsville, 25; Augusta and Decatur, 160; Tuscumbia and Decatur, 45; Montgomery and West Point, 85; Vicksburg and Jackson, 54; Jackson and Brandon, 8; Grand Gulf, 8; New Orleans and Nashville, 500; Clinton and Port Hudson, 28; St. Francisville and Woodville, 28; Memphis and Lagrange, 50; Dayton and Sandusky, 153; Louisville and Lexington, 90; Detroit and St. Josephs, 180; Detroit and Pontiac, 30; Toledo and Marshall, 90; Madison and Lafayette, 150; Lawrenceburg and Indianapolis, 90.
