© Repts of Engineers. 1838

2 Proceding & addons to people & stato 1837.

same 1838.

14 Brief Statement of facts rel to. 1888. 5 Memorial and Rept. Mass. Sen. no. 8. & Reph to aid construction of 1838. Mass then 8 Reprint of Rept. for 1838on Finances f

State 1839.

& Rept. concerning statistical Circul, 1838. Dlept on construction House no.32.1839. 10 Brief statement & facts. Frb. 1839. 11 Hinshaw, D. Letters to Boston Morning Post on. 1839.

13 Brief statement of facts. Feb. 1841. 14 Proceedings. 1843.

15 Proceedings of a public meeting of the inhabitat of worcester 1847.

OF

THE ENGINEERS

OF THE

WESTERN RAIL ROAD CORPORATION,

"

MADE TO

THE DIRECTORS,

IN

1836-7.

SPRINGFIELD:

PRINTED BY MERRIAM, WOOD AND CO.

REPORT

UPON THE

SURVEYS BETWEEN WORCESTER AND SEVEN

MILE RIVER IN BROOKFIELD.

Worcester, Aug. 15th, 1836.

TO THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTORS OF THE WESTERN RAIL ROAD CORPORATION.

GENTLEMEN,

In submitting for your consideration a Report upon the surveys which have been made during the present season, for a route for the Western Rail-Road, from Worcester to the valley of the Chickopee River, it may be well to premise the description of the several lines which have been examined, by a few remarks upon those features of the intermediate country, which must influence, in a great degree, the character of any, or all the routes, which connect these two points.

The waters of the Blackstone, upon which the village of Worcester is situated, are separated from those of the Chickopee, by a tract of country, elevated from 450 to 650 feet above the level of the Boston and Worcester Rail-Road at Worcester; presenting, consequently, a summit, between the tributaries of these streams, of the height just named, to be overcome by the Rail-Road.

The numerous branches which rise in this high ground, flow principally from the north to the south, and by their course indicate the general declivity of the country, as well as the direction of the ridges which lie between, or divide the waters. These ridges are of an uniform character; that is to say, they are generally broken by a succession of numerous spurs, and intervening hollows, or ravines. In many places, the spurs or ridges are composed of gravel, intermixed with stone of moderate size; and, not unfrequently, they are formed of entire rock, either Mica-slate, or Gneiss.