CCWMHB: The Canal That Never Was Traditional Cache
CCWMHB: The Canal That Never Was
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
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CCWMHB stands for Chatham County - What Might Have Been. This is a series of six altoid-tin hides with log and altoid-tin sized swag that highlight just how often this one particular county in North Carolina managed to consistently and repeatedly manage to snatch Obscurity from the jaws of Fame and History.
HEADLINE FROM AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE:
THE FIRST STEAMBOATS FROM FAYETTEVILLE TRAVELED UP THE CAPE FEAR AND DEEP RIVER CANAL TO ARRIVE AT THE CHATHAM COUNTY COAL FIELDS - FINALLY CONNECTING CHATHAM COUNTY TO THE MAJOR PORTS AT THE COAST
THE REALITY:
The following was adapted from the book "Tales Beyond Fried Rabbit; Chatham's Historical Heritage" by Fred J. Vatter (2009, Chatham County Historical Assoiation) Throughout its early history, Chatham County and its farmers and merchants were isolated from the major port of Wilmington by the rapids on the Cape Fear River just beyond Fayetteville.
"In 1792 the North Carolina Legislature passed an act to establish a company whose mission it was to faciliate the navigation of the Cape Fear River beyond Fayetteville. The resulting Cape Fear Company apparently made some sketches and plans, but did not have the resources to carry them out."
Other attempts to improve navigation of the Cape Fear above Fayetteville were tried and failed. It was not until 1849 that "The Cape Fear and Deep River Navigation Company was created with the ambitious intention of enabling steamboats to travel from Randolph County, through Chatham and downstream to Fayetteville and then Wilmington. The company was headquartered in Pittsboro with capital from private subscriptions of up to $200,000." There was extensive discussions of connecting the Deep River to The Cape Fear and possibly the Yadkin River by canal or possibly portage railroad to facilitate transportation. However,"Throughout most of its existence the company was plagued by both physical and financial difficulties. By the end of 1856 it had built 13 dams and 14 locks on the Cape Fear River and six dams and eight locks on the Deep River. The commencement of coal mining on the Deep River's south bank (about a half a mile from the present cache location) generated optimism among the directors.....unfortunately, all of these navigation projects were short-lived because of the frequent flooding and rapid deterioration of the wooden locks, necessitating repairs.....Ultimately, the system never had a steady period of uninterrupted operation and could not earn sufficient income from tolls to finance its operation, much less its future plans. By 1859 there was a forced sale of the company's assets by creditors."
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
yrnir ab fgbar haghearq
Treasures
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