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were in danger of being totally stopped'; which circumstance was a convincing proof of the absolute necessity to complete this Cut from the Lake Velia'. But, as the sole object of this undertaking was the mere supply of water to Vyshney Voloshok, after leaving of which the barks were exposed to new danger, in passing the Cataracts of Borovitsky, and in navigating the Lake Ilmen (which not only subjects them to loss of time in watching for favourable weather, but to imminent risk of the total loss of capital, and many lives, from the natural turbulency of this water), the merchants frequenting this track voluntarily proposed paying a toll of ten roubles for each vessel, to make a passage practicable round the Ilmen leading from the Msta direct to the Volchof. The plan was adopted, on examination, in 1775; but the work not begun till 1797, under the denomination of the NovogoCanal. rodsky Canal'. In 1800, the spring caravan, taking advantage of the high water, usually prevalent at that season, effected a passage through this canal with ease, though not yet

Novogorodsky

(1) To extricate the caravans, cost 20,000 roubles.
(2) For this purpose, 18,000 roubles were appropriated.

(3) 250,000 roubles were assigned for this work. The toll collected, produced 50,000 roubles; and the whole sum of 300,000 roubles is already expended.

perfectly finished. Its completion was to be in

1802.

The Canals of Vyshney Voloshok (forming, as before mentioned, the chief point of separation, on which depends the whole communication) being the mere work of art, are liable to accident, from many natural causes. The destruction of a dam, sluice, or other work of like consequence, notwithstanding all human foresight or precaution, may put an entire stop, at least for a time, both to the conveyance of the necessaries of life and articles of trade to the capital. Independent of this circumstance, this track of navigation requires annually an unmeasurable quantity of wood, for the construction of vessels, which can never return home for future use (the Borovitsky Cataracts rendering it an absolute impossibility); consequently the forests will be exhausted, and, in a certain space of time, this communication will decline of itself, and, finally, be totally abandoned, for want of building materials. These inconveniences were observed by PETER THE GREAT: at the very beginning, he took measures to find other means of communication; and, after a survey, had resolved on the junction of the Rivers Kofgia and Vetegra. His demise put a stop to the execution of this project at that time: it was however resumed in 1785, and, on a further survey, adopted on the same

Canal.

principles. The excessive drought in 1799 convinced Count Sivers, then chief of this department, of the utility of this work, the reservoirs of Vyshney Voloshok being totally drained: he procured an order from the Sovereign for the purpose; and the canal, now Mariensky called the Mariensky, was begun to be dug between the Kofgia and Vitegra. The first, excepting a few places which require being cleared a little, is at all seasons pretty navigable, and a canal of about six versts is to unite it with the Vitegra. This canal is to be supplied with water from the Malco Lake (Malcosero), through which it takes its course; and the reservoir is to have an additional supply by a Cut from the great Kofgia Lake. This canal is to be furnished with twelve sluices, seven of which are to serve for the convoy of vessels from the Kolgia, up to the point of separation in the Malco Lake: the other five, to conduct them down to the Vitegra. This river requires infinitely more labour than the Kofgia, to be made navigable; considerable falls require nineteen sluices, to make a safe passage practicable; and in some places, the digging of circuitous passages, to shun the Falls, is absolutely necessary; extending in all to about eight hundred fathoms (of seven feet English). The whole space requiring labour, the canal included, comprehends seven

teen versts. carried on

Hitherto it has been successfully

the canal is finished; ten versts on the Vitegra cleared, and thirteen sluices completed.

In 1801, the canal was supplied with ease, and the greatest part of the communication rendered navigable. The entire completion of the whole, including the time necessary for clearing the cataracts in the Vitegra, and improving the Kofgia, it is computed, will be in 1805'.

Independent of the benefits expected from this canal, in avoiding the inconveniences of that of Vyshney Voloshok, it is expected to open another track, and procure a new, and not a very circuitous passage, to the vessels going from the Sheksna to the Volga. The caravan from the Lower Volga will also be freed from detention in waiting for high water at Vyshney Voloshok and in the Msta River, by which the passage through the former will be rendered easier, and trade have a greater scope for exertion and increase; as Vyshney Voloshok, in its most perfect state, cannot admit a passage for more than 4000 barks annually, and thereby

(1) 2,000,000 roubles were assigned for this work; and in 1799 and 1800, 500,000 roubles were expended. 400,000 were computed necessary for 1801.

establish

ing a com

by water

Petersburg

and Arch

angel.

impedes commerce. Still greater benefits would accrue from the Mariensky Canal, if the favourite plan of PETER THE FIRST were put into execution; viz. that of establishing a communication by water between the ports of St. Project for Petersburg and Archangel, or the Baltic and the White Seas. In 1800, by order of the Emperor, munication its practicability was examined into, and found between St. feasible, by means of the River Sheksna, and the Lake Kubenskoy. The proper arrangements were made, and the Department of Water Communication has it in view to put it into execution in due time. Giving this advantage to these two principal ports of the Empire would be of the greatest utility, not only with regard to trade, but the easy means of supplying the Admiralty of St. Petersburg with timber for the navy, from the abundant forests of the North of Russia. There are other inconveniences attending the navigation through Vyshney Voloshok; viz. the Cataracts of the Volchof, and the Outlet from the Ladoga Canal into the Neva, where vessels are at times detained for a fortnight by contrary winds'. Measures were taken to lessen the danger of the Fails; and proper roads or tracks for towing vessels

The Cata

racts of the

River Vol.

chof, and towingtrack.

(1) For clearing the cataracts, 118,000 roubles were allowed; and for the towing road, 60,000 roubles; ninety versts of which are done.

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