16 ADAPTATION OF COUNTRY TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RAILKOAD. 



be great in quantity, ijarticularly up the valley of the Rio de Santa Inez and the Sal si Puedes 

 creek as far as the rancho of that name, and from the summit to the ocean the location is a most 

 bold one, requiring heavy work in earth and rock (sandstone) and masonry, to keep up the 

 grade. To do this it will he necessary to construct a lofty though short structure across the 

 Gaviote creek, where it defiles between two jutting cliffs, and continue along the slopes of the 

 mountains, aud curving around to the ocean slope by a heavy cut through the salient spur at 

 the mouth of the creek. This portion of the line is imposing, and partakes somewhat of the 

 character of the San Louis Pass. Two bridges of the first class will be required upon this sec- 

 tion — one across the Santa Inez river, and one across the Gaviote creek — together with several 

 smaller structures and culverts and drains. 



The length of this division is 33.50 miles. 



Maximum grade required 100 feet per mile. 



Probable cost of graduation and superstructure $2,680,000. 



Cost per mile $80,000. 



Seventh Division a. — Second Route from Tres Alamos to the Gaviote creek. — This route con- 

 tinues down the Alamos to the coast, thence via Points Purisima, Arguello, and Concepcion, 

 along the terraced coast. The distance by this route is thirteen and three quarter miles longer, 

 but it is probable that the difference of cost will not be very great. The general character of this 

 shore line is identicalwiththatof the eighth division. Inpassingfrom the mouth of the Santa Inez 

 to Point Concepcion, the west end of the Santa Inez range of mountains is turned. This mountain 

 range has an almost equilateral cross section, having no long spurs upon either side, which renders 

 it an immense prism, extending to the valley of the Eio San Buenaventura, where it terminates. 

 Its ocean slope is terminated by a long line of terraces, which are distinctly marked, evidencing 

 a gradual elevation of the land, and are covered to a greater or less depth with a fine soil. 

 These terraces are formed of the upturned strata, which alternately dip seaward and landward 

 several times between Point Concepcion and San Buenaventura, and are cut into innumerable 

 lateral ravines, which will require bridging, or to be filled up, with culverts to pass the water 

 in rainy seasons. To construct an economical line along this shore, comparatively heavy grades 

 will have to be resorted to, to avoid deep rock cutting and high embankments. It is highly 

 probable that upon a more minute examination of the ground it will be found advisable to locate 

 the line partially along the shore, a few feet removed from high tide. Such a location would 

 be cheaper of construction than one midway between the mountains and the sea, thereby avoiding 

 much deep cutting and filling, and bridging also. Upon this route a bridge across the mouth 

 of the Santa Inez river and one across Gaviote creek will be necessary, besides numerous smaller 

 structures, and culverts across the ravines which cut through the terraced shore in many places. 



The length of this division is 47'. 25 miles. 



Maximum grade required 60 feet per mile. 



Probable cost of graduation and superstructure §2,835,000. 



Cost per mile $60,000. 



EiKHTH Division. — From the mouth of Gaviote creek to San Buenaventura. — This division lies 

 for nearly the whole distance near the coast over the terrace. Two or three miles below Car- 

 pinteria, at El Rincon, this peculiar character disappears, and the bluffs of a small range of 

 hills, spurs or outliers of the Santa Inez mountains, impinge immediately upon the sea to within 

 a short distance of the valley of San Buenaventura. The traveller at this point is compelled to 

 regulate his movements by those of the tide, and is often obliged to wait for hours to make the 



