New York State Engineer and Surveyor Report and Estimates Concerning the Construction of Gun Boat Locks on the Eastern Division…

In April of 1863, the New York State Legislature passed a concurrent resolution directing the State Engineer and Surveyor, under the advice and direction of the State Canal Board, to cause a survey and estimate to be made of the cost of constructing one tier of locks on the Erie Canal from the Hudson River to Lake Erie; one tier of locks on the Oswego Canal from Syracuse to Lake Ontario; one tier of locks on the Champlain Canal from Troy to Whitehall; and one tier of locks on the Cayuga and Seneca Canals from Montezuma to Seneca Lake. The locks were to be permanent and constructed of either stone or wood, or a combination of the two. The locks were to be at least twenty-six feet wide in the chamber; at least two hundred and twenty-five feet in length between the gates; to be located alongside of or near to the existing locks; and to be calculated for a canal water depth of seven feet.

This resolution directed the State Engineer and Surveyor to present completed surveys and cost estimates to the next State Legislature at the commencement of its legislative session. The Legislature expressed its consensus that the resolution, if adopted and carried out, would "inaugurate a policy that will continue to this State its share of western trade and tonnage."

The Legislature prefaced a second concurrent resolution by stating its belief that the construction of these new enlarged locks would materially promote the interests of the United States in providing for national defense, augmenting national commerce, and strengthening the bonds of the National Union. Given this and the likelihood that the federal government would seek to use the State's canals, complete with enlarged locks, to transport gunboats, troops, and munitions, the Legislature concluded that the federal government should contribute to the cost of the work. The second resolution empowered the governor to "invite the President of the United States" to assign a competent engineer to consult, at federal expense, with State authorities regarding the project and to identify modes of construction that would "most effectually promote the national interests."

This series consists of a manuscript version of Erie Canal Eastern Division Engineer Daniel C. Jenne's report and cost estimates in relation to enlarging the locks on the Eastern Division of the canal from Albany to Higginsville. Jenne prepared the report and estimates under the direction of the State Engineer and Surveyor and the State Canal Board, who in turn were acting in response to a concurrent resolution of the State Legislature.

In the narrative portion of the report, Jenne describes special circumstances discovered at various existing locks that would affect the manner in which enlarged locks were constructed. He also notes specific issues with aqueducts, bridges, culverts, and wall benches that would have to be addressed before enlarged locks were built. Jenne comments in depth on the quantity of water that would be required to support the functioning of enlarged locks and the quantity currently present at various points in the Eastern Division.

Jenne provides summary cost estimates for the construction of stone locks, wood locks, and wood and stone locks, as well as for the completion of necessary improvements to related canal structures such as aqueducts, culverts, and bridges. He also provides detailed cost estimates for the construction of stone locks at the location of each existing lock in the division; detailed cost estimates for the construction of wood locks at the location of each existing lock in the division; detailed cost estimates for the construction of wood and stone locks at the location of each existing lock in the division; detailed cost estimates for improvements to specific existing aqueducts, culverts, and bridges; and detailed cost estimates for other specific projects such as removing wall benches and construction of a feeder from Fish Creek, just west of Rome.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.