New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-05-24
Progress of the surveying Party on the
I-Ihrnu--Tsvo Routes Survcycd-tuoiher
Commenced. &c.

Correspondence Of The Tribune.
Panama, April 30, l-i9
Ma. Editor. As information in regard to the
progress made by the Surveying Party sent out in
January last, by Messrs. AsPinw all a Co. to select
the be st route for railroad across the lsthmus,
must be interesting large number OF your readers
am happy in being able to give you correct inioTma
| ton from authentic
The arduous duties OF thorough examination Of the
Isthmus could no,have been conhdedto energetic
skful and scientific than the gentlemen selected
A. Engineers. viz Col George w Hughes Of the I. :
Typographical Corps il the Chief Engineer William
Norris. Esq of Philadelphia 70 justly celebrated In
Europe as Civil Engineer is the Chief Of the Chagre-
Division VIM. H. sdcu, Esq of Ncw-lork, is the
Chief Of the Panama Division.
These gentlemen are assisted by ac0rps of Engineers
remarkable not only for their skill and Intelligence but
for their perscverug industry and close attention 70
their duties. The corps has been divided INTO loli
parficswO for the Chagrcs Division md two for me
Panama Divison-each party running distinct lines -
By this organization every advantage has been taken OF
lie dry season and although It was late when tho
party arrived out yet the results show two separate
and distinct lines from the Atlantic 20 inc racine heafN
finished within little more than TWO months
one of the lines of the Chsgres Division having been
completed the parties engaged on the same were sent
a few DAYS since. TO seek third line on the fanHus
Division This is expedition indeed, taking into con
dcraton the broken and rugged character OF the coun
try with its underground Of vigorous vegetation, H.
mpenetrahc ihickets of n,erminged vines anu canes
| and iis donsely crowded forest trees
The survey Tor raj road line in this country presents
much greater difficulties than be- met with IN tht
United states The wild state of the land where human
foot has never trod the mposs0i!iiy Of moving sieI
without the help of Two three men with haichets Z,
cut YOUR way. the broken uneven surface, the dee 1
-lcs and perpendicular ascrnts, have proved serou'
| obstacles and have well tried the courage Of ta'
| Engineers.
| The Two lines across the summit make me creates
elevation some 40 feet less than previous eNanina
tons The highest grade the summit on one hne
| Will not exceed A. icet per mile, with a shofi
tunnel while the other lnc di-penscs with the tunnel
| hut increases the grade 20 as feet per mile The
| limos 90 the Atlantic present greater facilities, Tie
highest grade being only % feet 10 the mile and no
| curve less than 900 feet radius
The total distance from Panama 10 the Terminus on
the Atlantic is Is miles and An old New FORK conirac
TOR told me that he thought single track road could
pc built for less than $4,000 per mile complete lheIt
VII De required only important bridge all the resi-
viii be- small The best and most desirable wood can
he obtained on the line, for the snpeisructurc NJ
terminus on the Atlantic VIII be al Lemon bay ana
am informed from the best sources that II one oil tAe
finest harbors IN the world.
The surveys will be finished IN four or I'VE weeks
and If the same energy exercised by the contractor
fox building the road you may expect 10 see u com
plctcd IN eighteen mOnibs-when nope 10 De Oh my
WAY home and ENJOYING steam rde across the thls
There are now here nineteen vessels large and small
All bound for California. They viii take Oh every
cmigrant now the lsihmus C.