practicable. The navigable period of each section can, however, be prolonged, and many of the difficulties and dangers which obstruct the navigation can be removed. The following estimates are based upon the application of the method of improving the natural channel, modified by the conditions of each locality: FIRST DIVISION. From Laurel to Point Burnside, or the Great South Fork. 1.000 cubic yards rock excavation, at $3 Removal of fish-traps Smith's Shoals: Shadowen Shoal, 500 cubic yards rock excavation, at $3 Total..... or about $9,000 for rock excavation, and $28,016 for lateral dams, at Smith's Shoals. Removing logs.. 200 00 Left shore, right shore, dams connecting islands, 3,854 cubic yards of dam, at $2 7,708 00 The work at different points in the second division varies in cost, generally, from $8,000 to $31,000. If the work in this division was confined to removing dangerous rocks and reefs, the cost would not exceed one-half the above sum, and the improvement would undoubtedly lead to an augmentation of the amount of the river trade. Cost of improving the Cumberland River from the head of navigation at 40, 116 452.664 This sum, $452,664, represents the aggregate cost of improving the Cumberland River, if the work is executed by the Government. Under the contract system the above amount would be increased at least 20 per cent. It would be economical to complete the third division first, and the second and first divisions subsequently. An estimate based on the value of the proper machinery, tools and laborers, mechanics, and officers, numbering one hundred men in all, during a year of operations, would amount to $88,000 or $100,000. It may be necessary to contract the work to a less sum. Portions of the improvement can be executed with advantage to navigation. The rock excavation at Smith's Shoals will cost about $9,000. This work might be executed without the dams, which would cost $28,016. Below Point Burnside the cost of the work at different localities varies from $8,000 to $30,000. Between Nashville and the mouth of the river the removal of wrecks will cost about $1,200. The repairs of Harpeth and Flax-patch Dam will cost $18,000, and the improvement, including the extensions of the dams of the entire series known as Harpeth Shoals, will cost $51,000. The different shoals in this division will cost from $4,000 to $51,000 to place them in a navigable condition. TRADE AND RESOURCES. In order to exhibit the value of the trade of the Cumberland River, it will be sufficient to state the more important interests which would be fostered and developed by increasing the facilities of navigation. Among the first in importance and first in position is thecoal trade. The eastern coal-fields of Kentucky form part of the coalmeasures of the Cumberland highlands, which extend northward through West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and southward, through Tennessee, into Alabama. In Eastern Kentucky the area of coal-measures is about 8,900 square miles, and consequently exceeds that of Great Britain by eight hundred square miles, and is greater than that of France, Spain, and Belgium together. In Tennessee the coal area is equal to five thousand one hundred square miles, but it is not immediately available for the river trade. Those portions of Kentucky which have contributed to this object lie near the head of navigation, and extend from Clinton County to the eastern border of Pulaski County, a distance of about ninety-five miles. The coal of this region, with few exceptions, belongs to the subconglomeritic or lower coal-measure, and like the coal of Arkansas, of the same horizon, is remarkable for its excellence and extent. The two latter circumstances have corrected the erroneous opinion formerly entertained of this formation, and have established the inapplicability of the distinction between the productive and barren coal-measures, which possess a local propriety when applied to the coal-fields of England and Pennsylvania. It was, however, known more than thirty years ago that a coal-basin, 1,000 to 1,500 feet thick, existed in Portugal below rock characterized by silurian fossils. In the State of Kentucky, in the subconglomeritic rock of the counties before mentioned, five veins of coal are found of easy access. But two only are generally regarded as workable. By denudation, the coal has been exposed in positions more suitable for working at some points than at others. From geological causes the beds thin out toward the east. The area of workable coal is, in consequence, circumscribed by certain districts. In Pulaski County it is divisible into three districts. The first lies between Buck Creek, seven miles above the Great Shoals and Rockcastle River. The second occupies a small basin between Buck Creek and Pittman Creek, and includes the town of Somerset. The third lies south of the Cumberland, between the falls and the South Fork. The first division includes the Cumberland coal-banks, now the most actively mined in the region above the South Fork. About half a mile above the mouth of Laurel, the coal was at one time mined on a small scale, but was abandoned, probably on account of the difficulty of handling the coal-boats and the scarcity of lumber with which to build them. Four veins of coal are found at this point: one in the bed of the river, another 20 feet above the water, a third, 35 feet above the water, and the fourth, 60 to 80 feet above the same level. The fourth is about 4 feet thick, but the third only has been worked. Another mine, about a mile below, on the left bank, was opened and abandoned. The principal "banks" are now found on the left bank, from ten to eighteen miles below the mouth of Laurel. As the subcarboniferous strata is nearly horizontal throughout the highlands, the subjacent coal has been exposed by the erosion, which has carved out into ridges a large section of country, and exposed the veins upon the sides between the associate strata of shales and conglomerates. The creeks and ravines, which are numerous along the river, afford many convenient points for reaching the coal-beds. The drifts are carried into the hills horizontally. To buy the cars, build cabins and stables, lay the tram-ways, procure the tools, and to open a coal-vein, on the limited scale of those now worked, costs about $5,000. The tram-ways have a descending grade from the mines to the bluffs, a distance of one mile to one mile and a half, and are drawn by mules. The galleries are just large enough to admit a diminutive mule drawing six or eight small cars. The coal-boats are loaded by chutes, or by small cars sent down an inclined plane. The first mine in operation, below Rockcastle River, is mined by Mr. Allen Jones, the next by Mr. Elliot, and the third by W. Woodcock. There are others which are not now in operation. The first may be described as characteristic of the rest. The vein is from 4 to 5 feet thick, and about 300 feet above the river. The coal is a semi-cannel bituminous, rich in carbon, hard, shining, containing near the top of the vein delicate fibrous ramifications, or net-work of pyrites, easily selected from the mass as it leaves the mine. The coal burns with a lively, white, crackling flame, and is consumed to white ashes without swelling. It is justly regarded in Nashville as the finest coal brought to that market. It has also been employed at the iron-furnaces of Yateman & Woods, and is represented to have produced a larger and better quality of iron than the Pittsburgh or any other coal from the Ohio River. This testimony is confirmed by the former owners of the old Cumberland iron-works. The Cumberland coal consumed in and about Nashville, at the rolling-mills and for domestic purposes, amounted to 400,000 bushels. When the first grade was erected in Nashville, in 1831, the consumption did not amount to 1,000 bushels. From 1836 to 1860 the price of coal by the boat-load was from 15 to 25 cents; by retail from 20 to 50 cents per bushel. It is now about 25 cents per bushel, of 80 pounds to the bushel, or $7 a ton. The demand, on account of the obstructions to navigation, has always largely exceeded the ability to supply the market. The mines are held chiefly by private owners, who limit their operations in order to supply the demand at the close of the winter, at which time only they are able to reach Nashville. The result is, the Pittsburgh coal, after descending the Ohio for nine hundred miles, is able to reascend the Cumberland for two hundred miles, and to compete in market with the Cumberland coal, of superior character, which has to descend the river for five hundred and fifty miles, not more than one-half of the distance. In 1860 it was estimated that 1,000,000 bushels, or 35,714 tons would be required to supply Nashville and the mills in the vicinity. This amount is now divided between different sources of supply, viz, Pittsburgh, the Cumberland River coal, and the Sewanee coal, from the Upper Coal Measures of the plateau, twenty-four miles north of the Alabama line, Grundy County. This coal is brought by rail to Nashville, a distance of about one hundred and six miles. It is evident from these facts that if it was practicable to circumvent the Great Shoals and to improve the navigation of the Cumberland between Rowena and Nashville, the coal from the upper river could be sold in the city. in much larger quantities and at much lower rates. The larger investment of capita. in mining operations, stimulated by the facilities of reaching market, would lead to so great an increase in mining operations that not only would the supply be sufficient for Nashville and the Cumberland River, but the Cumberland coal would be enabled to compete with the Pittsburgh and Ohio River coals upon the lower Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. In the present condition of the river the coal-boats are obliged to wait for a "coaltide." This stage is equivalent to 33.5 feet at Nashville, 14 to 15 feet at the foot of the shoals, 4 to 5 feet at the head, and 163 feet at the coal-banks. At this stage barges drawing 4 feet may pass the rapids without much danger. There are many tides of from 8 to 10 feet, which, in the unimproved condition of the river, are not available for descending navigation. The barges cost from $150 to $200, and carry from 6,000 to 8,000 bushels, or from 215 to 286 tons. These boats are sold in Nashville for $40 each. According to my information the cost of mining is about 3 cents per bushel, the miners making from $1 50 to $2 per day It costs two cents more to deliver the coal at the banks, and half a cent per bushel for loading, and half a cent more for pumping and bailing the boat. The cost of transportation and net value is, as follows for an average boat-load of 6,000 bushels: Value in Nashville or 6,000 bushels, at 25 cents. $1,500 00 40.00 The annual average shipment from the mines above Smith's Shoals is about 570,000 bushels, or 20,357 tons, equal in net value to about $57,000. The amount shipped from the mines since they were opened amounts to about 2,340,000 bushels, equal ́in value to $234,000 net. The second district, between Pittman and Buck Creeks, supplies coal for local purposes only. The third district, bordering on the South Fork, has, on account of obstructions of the shoals, and large masses of conglomerate which block the channel, contributed but a small amount to the trade of the river. About seventeen miles from the mouth of the river a 3-foot vein was opened and worked for a short time. Between Big Sinking Creek and Little South Fork, about twenty-five miles from the mouth of the river, another vein, about 46 inches thick, was opened and subsequently abandoned. This vein is about 160 feet above the limestone, and over it 20 to 30 feet of shale, forming the top of the ridge. This coal is sulphurous. About half a mile above the Little Jumps much better coal is found, at Dick's banks, at an elevation of 350 feet above the creek. This vein is 46 inches thick and of excellent quality. The coal in the vicinity and above this point is abundant, and of the same quality as the upper banks of Pulaski County, but is naturally excluded from market by the obstructions to navigation in the South Fork. Between Smith's Shoals, or the South Fork and Indian Creek, the landing of the Poplar Mountain Coal Company, below Rowena, fifty-eight miles from Point Burnside, coal has been mined in small quantities at several points. With the exception of the tops of isolated ridges, the entire area belongs to the so-called unproductive, or lower coal measures, below the "farewell" conglomerate. The mines near Rowena have largely contributed to the river trade, and the company are preparing to extend their operations. The Poplar Mountain Coal Company is composed chiefly of Pennsylvanians; capital $250,000. The vein is 34 feet thick, and is about 900 feet above low water of the Cumberland, and therefore 1,357 feet above tide, or 480 feet above the main coal-vein of the Pulaski Banks. Unless the tilt of the strata has caused this elevation, the coal of this district must belong to a different vein; the, coal of the Pulaski Banks has more of the character of cannel coal. This coal is taken from Short Mountain, a spur of Poplar Mountain, and is about seven and three-fourths miles from the river. The top of the mountain is about 1,100 feet above low-water, or 1,557 feet above mean tide at Mobile. About one hundred acres of good coal is found at this point. By extending the road to Poplar Mountain, two and one-half miles farther, a bed of coal is reached of superior quality, 3 feet 8 inches thick, covering 2,000 acres. The railroad is a substantial ballasted track, laid with T-rail, having a grade of 240 to 260 feet for four miles. A 23-ton engine is employed, which can draw from the mines to the river 1,200,000 bushels per annum. But the difficulties of navigation limit the quantity brought to market, which amounts to one-fourth the capacity of the road, or about 300,000 bushels. Mining costs 34 cents, transportation 14 cents, or 5 cents per bushel at the landing. This coal is not handled from the time it is taken from the mines until it reaches the market, chutes being employed for landing. The method of shipping is likely to cause waste, but the coal is hard and the loss from this cause small. The demand largely exceeds the ability to supply. The round trip to Nashville and back again to Indian Creek requires six days, when not delayed by fogs. A rise of 10 feet at the coal-landing is necessary for a "tow," drawing 6 feet of water, and carrying from 35,000 to 42,000 bushels, to pass down with safety. The dangers consist in narrow and crooked channels and rocky obstructions. Two barges have been lost in four years. If the facilities of navigation were increased, a much larger amount of coal could be handled, with the same outlay. As in all other operations, the gross profit depends, not upon the increased value of the unit of measure, but in the increased quality of the commodity. One towboat, and the machinery now on hand, could bring to Nashville four times the quantity now handled. It is evident that the mines only await a more accessible market in order to become largely remunerative. The same company are now preparing to erect iron-furnaces. Throughout the coal region this valuable ore is found, affording from 35 to 60 per cent. of good metal. Below the falls of the Cumberland, in the stratum of shale below the conglomerate, and about 6 to 10 feet above the water, nodules of iron are found, notable from the fact that it at one time attracted considerable attention, in consequence of the widely disseminated report that this ore contained a valuable amount of silver. Visitors were attracted from other States, and the property about the falls was held at a high figure. The following is a section of the bluff, commencing from the surface of the water at the foot of the falls: Seven feet of gray argillaceous and siliceous shale, with iron-stone; 12 feet of black shale, with nodules of iron-stone; 48 of conglomerate or pebbly sandstone, the pebbles of quartz often diffusely scattered and about the size of a small marble; the falls; 10 feet of conglomerate like the preceding; coal; conglomerate 10 feet; millstone grit 50 feet. The top of the bluff slopes back to 307 feet above its base. The foundation of an old school-house, about half a mile back, is 372 feet above the foot of the falls, and the top of the ridge is 422, or about 1,190 feet; above tide the general level of the higher ridges being 500 or 600 feet more. The river flows through the subcarboniferous conglomerate and sandstone, in a trough of solid rock. Near Laurel it enters the subcarboniferous limestone, which has the cavernous character strongly marked, between Laurel and the head of Smith's Shoals. About the head of the rapids a bed of geodes is found near the low-water surface, containing beautiful specimens of crystals of quartz, carbonate of lime, chalcedony, and other minerals. The upper stratum of limestone contains fine specimens of crinoids, in large quantities, and near the water masses of limestone, composed of cyathophilloid corals, as if the entire reefs had been entombed in calcareous sediment. Terrebratula and other Devonian fossils are abundant. The limestone of this region affords good material for quicklime, as well as fine building-stone. The surface of the country, which is strewn with fragments of lithostrotion canadense, has been largely denuded of the sandstone and conglomerate. Near the month of the South Fork a bed of black bituminous shale probably marks the division between the Devonian and Upper Silurian. The geod bed, before mentioned, appears 50 feet above low water in the bluft-below Point Burnside. About sixteen miles farther is a bed of limestone, which probably rests on the knobby sandstone, into which the river has cut deeply at Mill Spring. Before reaching the Tennessee line the river has cut down through the subcarboniferous sandstone and conglomerate, through the Devonian and Upper Silurian to the Lower Silurian. The bluffs about this locality are from 250 to 300 feet in height, and are denuded of the sandstone. All the stratas have a dip to the southeast, and are crossed by undulations whose axes lie southwest, and which together control the drainage of the country and the course of the Upper Cumberland. The Nashville formation has an anticlinal west of that city, the strata on each side dipping, the one northeast, the other southwest. The northern border of the basin is formed by the highland rim and is composed of the siliceous mountain limestone, which is characterized by thin strata of chert, siliceous balls and fragments of lithostrotion strewing the surface. This formation is re-entered by the river between Gouer's Island and Ashland, forming the western boundary of the basin. The entrance of the river is marked by an escarped bluff, the light ocher tints of which are brilliantly illuminated by the morning sun, and hence called Rising Sun Bluff. Owing to the dip of the strata being more rapid than the descent of the river, the water-surface actually rises in the geological series in which it flows below Harpeth. All the bluffs below this point belong to the siliceous group of the subcarboniferous limestone. Below Clarksville the bluff presents the following section : 40 feet of limestone at bottom, cherty and crinoidal; two beds, 30 feet and 48 feet, solitic and fossiliferous; 32 feet of lithostrotion limestone; 25 feet of siliceous cherty limestone, with smail cavities; 30 feet of fossiliferous, cherty masses and soil containing lithostrotion. |