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PREFACE
Having at various times
heard much to interest and surprise me respecting the engineering works
of America, and having been unable to meet with any publication
containing satisfactory information regarding them, I resolved to take
advantage of a short interval of professional leisure, to examine the
subject for myself.
In a tour of about three months I visited Upper and Lower Canada, and
the most interesting parts of the United States of America, and
endeavoured, throughout, to direct my attention to those objects which
are of greatest importance to a Civil-Engineer. My observation embraced
many , of the principal Sea-ports, and navigable Rivers, two of the
Great Lakes, the principal Canals, Railroads, Bridges, and other means
of communication, and the most remarkable of the works for supplying the
cities with water. The Steam-navigation of those countries, and the
system of Lighthouses established along their coasts, also came
incidentally under my notice, as well as some other points of more or
lees interest and importance.
I was well aware, before leaving this country, that a field so extensive
and varied could not be fully examin* d in so limited a period; but this
rapid tour, though it has not afforded that full measure of information
upon many points of inquiry, which, had my time perihitted, it would
have been my endeavour to procure, has fully answered my purpose, by
giving me a general view of the state of Civil-Engineering in America.
Having in the course of this journey seen a good deal that was entirely
new to me, I have been induced to lay before my professional brethren
the information thus obtained. It is true that Civil-Engineering, as
practised in America, is not always applicable to the circumstances of
Europe; but still the modifications to which it is subject in a new
country may prove useful, by suggesting various methods of working,
adapted to local circumstances or limited funds.
The object, however, of this brief sketch is not to satisfy the
curiosity of Engineers in England; but rather to stimulate others, who
may have it in their power, not only to examine more thoroughly the
ground here gone over, but to extend their researches to other parts of
the country, which my limited time did not permit me to visit. Judging
from the attentions shewn me by all classes of persons in America, and
their readiness to communicate freely every kind of information, I feel
certain that any such extended engineering tour would be attended with
no less pleasure than interest.
It is impossible to acknowledge in suitable terms the kindness
experienced by me while in America. I had the honour of seeing the Earl
of Gosford at Quebec, and received from his Lordship repeated offices of
kindness during my stay in Canada. At Washington I had the honour of
being presented to Mr Van Buren, the President of the United States, who
afforded me every facility in prosecuting the object of my journey. To
Mr Poinsett, the Secretary at War, and Mr Pleasonton, one of the
Auditors of the Treasury, I am much indebted for attentions received
from them in their official capacities. At Pittsburg, much kindness was
shewn me by Judge Baldwin; and, in the course of my journey, I profited
on many occasions by the good offices of Professor Hare, Professor
Bache, Mr Strickland, Mr Walter, and Mr Keating, at Philadelphia;
Professor Webster at Boston; Professoi Silliman at Newhaven; Dr Francis,
Dr Wilks, Mr Pitcairn, and Mr Redfield, at New York; and General Van
Rensselaer, the Patroon, at Albany.
It is unnecessary here to mention the names Oj the Civil-Engineers to
whom I was introduced in America, as occasions will occur in the
following pages, to acknowledge the pleasure derived from their
acquaintance, and their liberality in affording me information regarding
the works under their care.
DAVID STEVENSON.
Edinburgh, July 1838
Sketch of the Civil Engineering of
North America
By David Stevenson, Civil Engineer (1838) (pdf) |
