DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL 107 ATLANTIc GULr SHIP CANAL ANIix T R powr or BOARD or REVIEW MMBE SBHIP OF THE BOARD Walter J. Douglas, consulting engineer, New York City, chairman. War Department.-CoL Warren T. Hannum, Maj. Brehon Somervell. Public Works Administration.-Clarence McDonough, Frederick H. Fowler. ACTIVTImS Organization.-At its first meeting the representatives of the War Department and those of the Public Works Administration unanimously selected Mr. Walter J. Douglas as the fifth member and Maj. Brehon Somervell as recorder. At its next meeting Mr. Douglas was chosen unanimously as chairman. Inspection of site.-With full membership, the board made an intensive inspection of the site of the proposed canal and of other work of a similar na- ture now under way in Florida. Special care was taken to compare the diffi- culties of construction and the character of the material as shown by the bor- ings on the line of the proposed canal with these observed on work in progress. The character of the terrain, the existing transportation facilities, and other conditions controlling costs of construction were examined. Other investigations.-A careful study was made of the report of the special board of Army engineers, and of the extensive data assembled by the Army engineers. The estimates prepared by the Administration of Public Works, were also studied by this board. These studies were supplemented by original investigations made by its members on methods of construction which were worked out in some detail, on costs of similar work falling within their expe- rience, on available water supply, on ground water, on bridges, and other appurtenant structures. Views of local interests.-Those desiring to present their views were heard by this board and such written data as were submitted were given careful con- sideration. As a result of these studies and investigations, we unanimously submit the following: PLANS AND ETMATmB OFi ABMY BOARD The special board of Army engineers, after considering different locations, determined' the most practical and economical route for a ship canal across Georgia and/or Florida to be one following the St. Johns River, Fla., from the Atlantic Ocean to about Palatka, Fla., thence in a general westerly direction to the Gulf of Mexico, near the mouth of the Withlacoochee River, Fla. The plan of improvement adopted by this board was for a lock canal with a canal- ized section through the high ground in the center of the Florida Peninsula and with sea-level approaches up the St. Johns and Withlacoochee Valleys. Type and dimensions of canal recommended by Army special board.-A sum- mit level was selected at between 40 and 45 feet above sea level with three sets of locks, one at the Atlantic end and two at the Gulf end. The canal considered as best meeting the prospective demands of shipping was one 35 feet deep with suitable provisions for overdepth and 40 feet over the sills at the locks. Bottom widths for the channel of 250 feet in land sections, 400 feet in open water reaches, and of 500 and 1,000 feet in the Gulf were adopted. Water supply.-The water supply for lockages and for maintaining the pool levels in the summit section was to come from Silver and Blue Springs and from the Oklawaha and Withlacoochee Rivers. An examination of the pros- pective traffic and of the water required for lockages, seepage, and evapora- tion showed that pumping would be required after the contemplated traffic materialized. The Army board also called attention to the uncertainty of the supply from Blue Springs if the head on the springs be raised to the height adopted for the summit level. Appurtenant works.-Generous allowances which took cognizance of the recommendations of the Florida Highway Department and the Bureau of Light- houses were made for appurtenant structures, such as bridges, including high- way and railway relocations, aids to navigation, water supply works, and ferries. x Not yet reviewed or approved by the Chief of Engineers or the War Department. 82710-36--8