NOTES,
HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL,
UPON THE PROJECTED ROUTES FOR AN
INTEROCEANIC SHIP CANAL BETWEEN THE ATLANTIC AND
PACIFIC OCEANS,
IN WHICH IS INCLUDED
A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE CHARACTER AND INFLUENCE OF THE CANAL
OF SUEZ, AND THE PROBABLE EFFECTS UPON THE COMMERCE
OF THE WORLD OF THE TWO CANALS, REGARDED EITHER
AS RIVALS, OR AS PARTS OF ONE SYSTEM OF
INTEROCEANIC NAVIGATION.
BY
S. T. ABERT, C.E.
ILLUSTRATED WITH MAPS.
CINCINNATI:
R. W. CARROLL & CO., PUBLISHERS,
117 WEST FOURTH STREET.
1870.
The following notes upon Interoceanic Routes across the AmericanIsthmus were collected and arranged during intervals of professionaloccupation, and are doubtless affected by the haste incident to thismethod of preparation.
They were laid by a friend before the Hon.William H. Sewardand the late R. J. Walker, for theirperusal, and receiving the commendation of their enlightened judgments,the writer has thought that the publication may not be without interestto those who are seeking information as to the feasibility of anintermarine ship canal between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Prepared before the completion of the Suez Canal and the sailing ofthe last Darien Expedition, some additions have been made to bring theparts of the Notes relating to these topics up to date.
August 1, 1870.
IS A SHIP CANAL PRACTICABLE?
Columbus discovers Darien—Opinionsof Berghaus, Humboldt, Garella, Hughes—Expectation of finding aStrait—Influence of Oriental Trade—Names identified with the Projectof a Canal—Defeat of Miranda’s Scheme—Object—Opinion of AdmiralDavis—Sketch of Oriental Trade—Contest for its Possession—Fourdifferent Solutions—United States—Russia—France—England—EnglishDiplomacy and the Suez Canal—History of its Difficulties—EmpressEugenie Inaugurates—Dimensions of Canal—Capital ofCompany—Expenditures—Effects on Commerce—Circumstances affecting thePermanence of the Suez Canal—Teaching of History—Sand Dunes—Inferencesfrom Geology—Sediment of the Nile—Deltas—Silting up of Port Said, andrate of advance of the Shore Line.
Upon the 14th ofSeptember, in the year of our Lord 1502, three caravels, bearingColumbus and the destinies of the New World, long baffled by opposingstorms and currents, at last doubled Cape Gracias a Dios.
To appreciate the courage of the daring Navigator, it is necessary tocall to mind the fact that the largest vessel of this little fleet didnot exceed seventy tons burden. With seams opened by the stress of thegales, sails tattered by the winds, hulls eaten to a honey-comb by theteredo, distrust at home, dissension around, and danger everywhere,this great man abated not a jot of his high hopes, but repairing hisshattered ships as he was able, continued his adventurous voyage.
The air came to the toil-worn mariners freighted with spicy fragrance,gentle winds wafted them in sight of lofty mountains and of verdantslopes, clothed with the majestic palm and the pink and goldenblossoming flor de Robles.
The simple-mi