The boat had been used to deepen the southern approaches of the Dutch Gap Canal. It was later raised and "bomb-proofed so it could finish its work.
Digging of the canal began August 10, 1864, to enable Union ships and monitors to get past the Confederate batteries on the James and get to Richmond. There was a major bend in the river at this point.
Butler had put all sorts of obstacles in the river at this point to prevent the Confederate fleet from attacking, plus, cannon from Battery Dantzler commanded from the bluffs.
The capture of Confederate Fort Harrison on September 29th made the canal unnecessary, but work on it continued. On January 1, 1865, the bulkhead upriver was blown up with 12,000 tons of powder, throwing earth and debris back into the channel. It was used by smaller vessels, but no warships.
Today, Dutch Gap Canal is the main course of the James River at this point.
Why would they keep digging it if it was no longer needed. Only Ben could answer that.
I'm Forever Digging Big Ditches. --B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
