Virginia's Canals and Navigations Society News
Editor: Ruth Harris
Welcome to the News of Virginia Canals and Navigations Society.
This page is provided that any surfers may feel free to advise the editor of any activities in the State
which you have knowledge of, that would be of interest to dedicated Canalers.
News: Construction began on June 21, 2006 on the packet boat that will be located in Canal Basin Square. The boat is based on the Capt. Dick Woolen packet boat and Tim Small has spent hundred of hours on research and computer assisted design. Volunteers are needed. See the Canal Basin Square web site at http://avenue.org/cbs for more information on how to volunteer and visit often to see and read about construction progress.
Canal Boats found at Maymont
On April 20, l999 volunteers from VC&NS and the Archeological Society of Virginia finished their excavation of two canal freighters in the Kanawha Canal in Maymont Park in Richmond. Both boats were studied as thoroughly as possible. The best preserved boat was cut into 8 foot sections and completely removed and the hole was filled in. Later this year construction will begin there on a pumping station, a mile-long tunnel, and a pipeline; all part of a sewage interceptor project to keep the James River clean.
The boat is now in storage in south Richmond where we must spend a few weeks to stabilize the 160-year old wood so it can be put on permanent display beside the newly-excavated canal in downtown Richmond. Volunteer help will be greatly appreciated! Call Bill Trout at 804-288-1334 or contact wetrout@mindspring.com.
The canal boat project has been quite a success, thanks to the co-operation of the City of Richmond, the Engineering firm of Greeley & Hansen, the archeological firm of Gray & Pape, the people at Maymont Park, the Richmond Riverfront Development Cooperation, and many volunteers who have provided help and equipment. Archaeologists Harry Jaeger, Lyle Browning, and diggers Rich Kocsis and Bill Trout were there eight days a week, with regular visits from a number of volunteers including the entire crew of the batteau LADY'S SLIPPER. There is still a lot to do; preparing the boat for display and writing a report on the excavation and its implications.
For more about the excavation see the article under "Announcements" on the Archeological Society's web page at www.archsocva.org.
Richmond's New Canal The ribbon-cutting and Grand Opening of Richmond's new Canal began at 11:30, Friday, June 4, 1999. Weekend long activities included music, dining, entertainers, boat rides in the Turning Basin, historic walking tours, a concert featuring the Atlantic Fleet Navy Band, ending with a grand display of fireworks on Sunday evening.
Despite all this frivolity, there is a serious side to this great canal. The city's canal system was developed beginning in 1785 as one link in a plan to transport goods and people by water between the Atlantic Ocean and the Ohio River. Despite the initial reluctance of Virginia's General Assembly to finance George Washington's dream of a canal linking the Atlantic Ocean with the Ohio River, the James River & Kanawha Canal was eventually built as far west as Buchanan (near the modern-day Interstate 81 south of Natural Bridge) before the railroad era rendered it obsolete. After canal traffic peaked in the mid-1800s, Richmond's canal system fell into decline, disrepair and disuse. The City's civic and governmental leaders, however, were inspired in modern times by the success of such urban waterway projects as San Antonio's River Walk and began pushing for downtown development focused on the James River. Once the $100 million-plus floodwall was finished, the scene was set for developing the now-protected riverfront. The result to date is a project that combines utility and beauty, a federally funded combined sewage overflow project whose pipes lie beneath canals restored in a parklike setting. Check "Canal Trivia" for further historic and interesting facts, on line at http://www.gatewayva.com/archive/
Scottsville's Canal Basin Square Final authority to begin its project was received in January l999. $414,000 ISTEA funds and $103,000 or 20% of the project, has been donated, locally and by the town, for a total of $518,000 for the project. The town has commissioned John V. Bowers as Project Manager and Tim Small as Deputy Project Manager to administer the project. Both men are serving Pro Bono and they will be assisted by the Chamber of Commerce Canal Basin Committee. A Project Management Office has been established and is located in Scottsville's Municipal Building - Phone: 804-286-4227; FAX 804-286-4237; E-mail CBSPMO@aol.com. Information is needed on Monacan Indian river craft (canoes), canal freighters, and canal packet boats. Additionally, technical information on preserving these boats is needed as they will be outdoors, and thus exposed to the elements. Please contact the above office if you have information concerning the above, and wish to volunteer help with this project. The mentioned craft will be static displays that are secured to their moorings so they will not float if Scottsville is again flooded. Interpretive signage for each, will be located in the park. According to Federal guidelines ISTEA projects must be completed in 48 months.
We are genuinely pleased to have two new links on our web page; James River Batteau Festival and The Archeological Society of Virginia. Check them out everyone. You are sure to find items of interest.
VC&NS participated again this year in UKROPS super market's golden gift program, in which a percentage of your grocery bill is returned to your favorite non-profit group. We received a grand total of $10.86, thanks to UKROP's certificates sent in by Reggie Roberts and Harriet Trout. Hopefully, more of us will choose VC&NS as our favorite non-profit group next year.
Please forward information for "Virginia's Canal and Navigations News" to Ruth Harris, 121 Winchester Drive, Hampton, VA 23666, or E-mail: rph@tez.net - Phone: 757-826-1137 - FAX: 757-826-2662.