The Empire County argus., 1856-03-01


January number of the u s. Nautical Magazine
an interesting statement by George w. Serrell, civil
engineer IN regard to proposed ship canal, to
unite the Atlantic and Pacific oceans at the 18TH
mus of Darien, by way of the Atrato and Truan-
do rivers in New Grenada Many very elaborate
surveys of this route have been made within few
years from which it is ascertaned that the Atrato
is a broad and deep river, having for seventy miles
from its mouth an average depth of forty-seven
feet, while its channel way for the same distance
from eight hundred to twelve hundred feet in
width. 1t empties into the gulf of Darien by nine
estuarles. where there bars formed of sedimen-
tary deposits, and the water is only four or five feet
deep. The bay itself is very ample, and deep
enough for the largest vessels. The line for the
contemplated connection between the oceans as
cends the Atrato for sixty-three miles, and then
enters the valley of tributary, known as the Tru.
ando, which is followed for thrty-six miles This
river is now navigable for vessels drawing twelve
teet OF water, for thrty-eight miles from its con-
fuence with the Atrat0 and for thirty-six miles OF
this distance it is intended to deepen and widen the
lruando, and then to make an open cut through
rock to the Pacific Ocean The cut will average
nnety-six feet Deep excepting tunnel three and
quarter miles in length, and the canal is project
ed TO be two hundred feet wide and thirty feet
deep at extreme low tide. At the point of juno
ton with the Truando, the Atrato is Is 2 above
the mean level of the two oceans, and when the
cut is complete. it will have two mouths, one emp
tying into the Atlantic and the other into the Pa
citc. The river flows ut the rate of two miles and
half per hour and this rate will not be materi-
ally changed by the construction of the canal.
III the material necessary for constructions upon
the line OF the work exist in the country except
metals while an excellent harbor already exists at
the Atlantic terminus, and on the Pacific but little
labor is required to make the harbnr there equal to
any on the coast for safety and accessibility. The
distinctive features of this route, says MIR. Serrel
are an lnter-oceanic connection. having depth and
width sufficient to pass abreast the largest vessels
now afoat and upon which no locks or other OBJ
structons of any kind will occur, and that there
are good harbors at either end. The country
through which the line passes where the construc-
tons and deepening of the Truando have to be
done, is very healthy and productive; while on the
Atrato, the only unhealthy part of the route, there
is no work to be done, except at the bars of the
mouth. and here the climate is comparatively salu-
brious, from the constant sea breezes Mr. Serrell
estimates the cost of the work, predicted on the
survey of Capt. VIM Kemsh, at one hundred and
forty-seven millions of dollars, which is concurred
In by several OF the most eminent engineers in the
country
This is gigantic project, but it is believed that
the business which can be done by the canal will
warrant its construction, and yield handsome
revenue 1t is estimated that the present business
between the two oceans, that would pass through
this canal if now in operation, without making
allowance for any increase. would pay twelve per
cent. on a cost of two hundred millions of dollars
1t has aalso been estimated that twenty-five
thousand men will have to be constantly employed
for twelve years to build the work, which number,
it is believed can readily be sustained in the coun-
try. The United States government proposes to
verify the surveys, and France and England have
been invited to participate. 1t is said that the nee.
essary grants and treaties have been perfected, by
which the route is secured and that financial
plan is now being digested upon which it is pro-
posed to commence and prosecute the construction
of the work vigorously
The surveys of this route were undertaken at the
instance of American merchants-the expense Of
the last two, and of obtaining the rights to con-
struct the works, having been borne by MIR. Fred
erick M. Kelley, of New York