The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-11-27
The Snez Canal.

TO bring nations together, and thus contribute TO
the greatness of one, and to the civilization OF
another. This is an undertaking reserved for
the second half of this century, already SO re-
markable-an era which this great work alone
would render celebrated
or the two projected canals, the importance
is very different. The canal Of Suez would unite
India and Europe 1t would re-establish the
commerce, prosperity, peace, and promote the
advancement of Europe, Asia and Africa in
fact the whole eastern hemisphere, which COM
pris,s about two-thirds of the habitable globe
The routes over which vessels now pass, are
greatly tengthcned from the necessity of seeking
the latitude of the trade winds, the influence Of
which enables them to make the easterly portion
Of their voyage much more easily. Thus, for
instance, vessels leaving European ports, instead
Of making directly for the Cape of Good Hope,
must steer for the Canaries or the Azores while
vessels from the Atlantic ports Of North Ameri-
ca, en- route for India, must make the coast OF
Brazil, or put into the harbor of Rio Janerio.-
They are then within the influence of the trade
winds, and may steer directly for the Cape of
Good Hope. They then reach Bourbon and
Mauritus, and from thence steer for India fol-
lowing the routes allowed by the monsoons.-
Vessels in the Mediterranean have TO contend
with still greater disadvantages. The prevailing
westerly winds, in the vicinity OF the straits,
connected with the rapid flow of the ocean
waters into the sea, retard thrir progress that
it often takes them fifteen days to pass the
straits Of Gibralter. The time required to make
these voyages, from European ports is usually
about five months, or five months and half.
When we examine the facilities for naviga-
tion in the three seas near the canal OF Suez,
namely the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the
Gulf of Oman, we find, that in the Meditera
mean the winds blew from the north during
the greater part OF the year, change to south
east in the spring, and return to the north, pass
ing by the West and the Northwest.
Nearly the same takes place in the Red Sea,
where the North, which is the prevailing wind,
so drive the water in the direction of Babel
Mandel so that during calm. a current may
be observed setting Northward, evidently arising
from the waters returning to their level.
The Gulf of Oman has two monsoons the
North east monsoon, which generally continues
during the winter, and the South west monsoon
which continues during the summer. Thus,
vessels passing through the canal, by making
their voyage to India in the autumn and return
ing in the spring, would have the benefit of con-
tinued favorable winds.
The reduction of :he distance would not be
the only advantage to trade from adopting the
canal route between the two seas; for indopen
dent of the time saved they would find place of
anchorage, and meet with good markets through
out the entire route; which is not the ease with
one now pursued. The naviga tor would dis
pose part of his cargo, and purchase ivory
which he would exchange in India for opium, to
take to China in exchange for silk and tea. Or
he could make up his cargo with merchandise
from Manila, III Isles of Sunda, and Ceylon,
cotton from India or Egypt. Coffee from Abys-
sinia, gum from Soudon or Hedaz, and rice
from Diametta and these numerous operations,
which now require years, could be accomplish
ed with much less time, without danger, with
smaller capital and smaller vessels. This route
would make this great number of changes feasi-
BILE within given time, and facilitate them to
small traders, who are by far the most numer-
QUE /; in short India would be opened to coast
ing vessels, Russia, Austria, and the countries
bordering on the Mediterranean might then fit
out their vessels for India, and these powers
would find their maratime resources increase
in immense proportion, cities would rise into
importance, trade would increase competi
ton on the one hand, and the diminution of
expense on the other would tend to lessen the
rates of exchange; and the products Of Asia
al,
kets; while their, in return would be open to
ours and general good would be the necessary
result.
The trade in the Red Sea az present is very
small but few European American vessel
being met with The commerce is now carried
on by Arabian Barques, which are very smal
and inefficient vessels sailed only in the daytime
running aground at night or anchoring with
grappling iron these vessels are so cumsily
built, and so uwkwardly rigged. that they require
thirty men to manage them, and at the best they
are both difficult and dangerous to work.
There is a country bordering on the Red Sea,
rich in its products, but inaccessible to us, which
the canal would open to the civilized world
In short, view the project in whatever light you
choose, it is one of vast Importance, not only in
point of commercial enterprise, but as means
of civilizing, and enlightening an extensive anI
interesting portion of the eastern continent
0<5-It is held TO be fixed fact among an
a'omists that the flesh Of an animal fowl, or
fish, suddenly killed, without previous ex-
hauston, will keep much longer than that
which is subjected to lingering death, or to
severe exhaustion prior to being killed. A
fish that dies after hard struggle in the open
air will speedily decompose after life has de-
parted, even in moderately cold weather.
Dissolution will early take place in the flesh