The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-07

between the slower lagoon" and the Pacific is by thu
"Bocca Bara," and sufficiently deep, though narrow
These agoons form well-sheliered harbor; but thu
bay bay OF hehBanispec WIN Wnen ,ney
nothing OF the dangers to which the commerce would
be exposed in approaching the "Bocca Bara," what
bars or impedlments interpose to such approach
From the summit-level, on the 50 table land of Tara,
10 the mouth OF the Maatengo the fall is stated at So
eet and the length of the canal line on this side would
De about 80 miles, as the engineer Moro makes the toa
cahi length % miles. For these so miles of canal, To-
tue locks and for the feeders, the estimate Oo
sleihhg IN which, however, is included one or NOR
locks below the confluence of the Maaiengo, ant
9io0oJO Tor the Coatzacoalcos lakes and Bocca Bara
mere 49, however singular ooseness in this estimate
about the locks; for while he shows that IS locks vii
De required IN proportion TO those OF the Caledonia canal
ana mat he will take the average cost OF the locks
mat canal for his estimates he mod'fes the lift OF his
locks, so that including those below the confluence
OF the Maatengo and not locks OF the canal but rve
locks, he makes estimate for but $50 locks All othe
parts being equal, the cost of locks is in proportion tc
hits when therefore, the lift of these locks was in
creased, the cost of the locks should have been in
estimate of the engineer Moro his estimate, accord
ing to his data should be g., 46s 900 sterling
or at the rate OF So per pound sterling. ST. 100000 But
there other considerations which should be bestowed
upon this estimate The engineer has taken his cost for
all things from the Caledonia canala canal of Scotland
built where resources OF men, artisans TOOLS food, &C.
convenient, and are the products OF the country Now
the ishmus of Tehuantepec is deficient in all these
spects The country has first TO be coonized by those
who capable, and who know how to work Food
and tools, such they have been accustomed to- and
such the work will require will have be impored
higher wages will have to be given, and the quantity OF
labor will be proportionay less, from the enervating
character OF the climate, and from the Interruptions OF
the rainy season. These will probably enhance
the cost full fifty per cent, bringing it to S26olo00o
throwing out of consideration that reliable estimate
be made by adopting the prices and circumstances
one locality for another entirely different; and that
reliable estimate be made of any canal line, without
an exact knowledge of all the physical pecuartes OF
the line to be occupied.
But we will waive these reflections and will suppos
that the ship canal with It's feeders reservoirs locks,
queducts &c Nc, can be made from the Pacific to the
mouth OF the Malatengo, for the of $26, 900
question now arises, of small degree of interest,
What will be the OF this canal after it be made
hat will be the use of ship canal, connecting with
a river which does not admit of ship navigation
The length of the Coatzacoacos from the Malaengo
to the Saaba (see pages So and SO of the report is %
miles; from the Saabia to the Jumuapa II miles; from
the Jumuapa to the Chalchapa 22b miles and TO the
Horquea 4ot miles more-Inaking i02 miles from the
Malatengo 10 the Horqueta Throughout this distance
OF nyer navigation several extensive shoals exist with
will be this shipcanal of 20 feet Deep when for l02
miles below the point at which is to be connected with
the Coazacoacos, more than 20 inches OF water cannot
be commanded And in fact, shoals are encountered to
the foot of the island OF Tacamichapa 25 miles lower
down. which is considered the limit of the navga
ton OF the river being the highest point at which the
uence of the gulf tides is felt-lha is the shpc
would connect with river at point 1877 miles above
the limit OF the navigation OF vessels which cross the
bar at lis mouth.
There is them 1877 miles of the Coatzacoalcos which
must be made suitable shp-cana or the canal must
extend 1877 miles further than the plan of the engineer
Moro. Which OF these modes would have to be adopted
is not IN power to say for do not know whether
the river will admit of system of lock anddam navga
ton IN this extent, whether the extension OF the canal
would be preferable. Under either view, the cost of
properly preparing these l27 miles, has be added the
estimate. We have been told, by those who have been
this region, that this river is liable to excessive fresh
cts An able European engineer, lately from there, said
that the river had risen IS feet at the mouth of the
Saraba IT this be the case, and such freshets
occasionally there can be doubt Independent canal
above their reach, will be better than lock dam
navigation.
There is another consideration bearing seriously upon
the shpcanal project II is the depth OF water the
bar at the mouth OF the Coatzacoacos. This depth has
been varousy represented but late survey from
navy IN the gulf does not exhibit than Two fahoms
over the bar Now, independent of all other considera
hons, we believe every will admit that it would bea
gross absurdy make canal in the interior for ves-
sells which could not cross the bar The depth
the bar must be the limit Of any useful depth of the
canal; and, unless l2feet bar be considered adequate
tor SHIPS ship canal the INTERIOR of that depth,
would be useless expense.
From these data then, shpcanal across this ishms
would be comparatively useless, even if practicable; and
the most which our present knowledge of the country
will Justify us in admitting is
That good boat canal can be made from the Pacific to
the Malatengo, and from thence good steamboat nav
CATION as Is now practicable In the Ohio, can be command
ed to the Gulf.
These considerations would oblige transhipment of
freight The Pacific and the gulf side of the route
and this transhpment involves considerations of choice
between canal and railroad, holds encourage
ment for the profitable employment of both
And Tor either or both,we can view the facts which
have yet been gathered merely determining The naked
question of practicaby. Future and more minute
veys essential before the trace plan reliable es
mate OF cost can be made.
But that the practicaby of making canal over the
summit OF this isthmus be admitted, upon the
data OF the engineer Moros report itself matter OF
great Importance although the work may resolve itself
INTO canal of ordinary dimensions is, boat canal
yet It, however, settles the question that water COM
by canal and river, be established be-
tween the two SEAS and holds encouraging prospects
Tor future and more elaborate surveys, upon which plans
and reliable estimates can be predicated.
There great discrepancies of opinion in refer
ence to the gulf bar of the Coatzacoalcos au-
horlties representing it twenty-five feet deep
others not twelve There may possibly be
channels this bar, the which exists may
subject to serious changes. An elaborate survey by
competent engineers alone determine this question
Yet however, should future surveys prove the existence
Of the deeper channel, it will not modify the views
which have been expressed of the canal so long
line of river navigation has to be adopted from the lower
end of the island Tacamichapa to the Malatengo, al
though it would open the prospect of fine ship harbo
on the CoatZacoalcas
AS before remarked the engineer Moro gives the fall
from the Tara summit to the Pacific as $50 feet, and
from the same summit to the mouth of the Maatengo
the gulf to be 1870 feet, which will justify the inference
that the tide of the gulf is five feet higher than the
mean tide of the Pacific These differences OF level were
however, determined by the barometer, which we do
think be depended upon for such small dferen
ces of localities so distant from each other.
But as the influence Of the gull tide IS felt at the lower
end OF Tacamchapa island the fall to the gulf, from the
Nala ha fnno fall a, ff thu