The Washington union., 1857-10-06

A breakuoater would be necessary here. With such
one s would afford the necessary protection against the
ocean swell the bay Of Aspnwal like the bay Oh rama
ma would afford ample for the commerce OF Europe
with the eve of seaman and in reference to the great
work in question II would look as though nature had
provided them for the special convenience OF man In his
aboros undertakings for the extension of commerce.
and place where all nations may meet in their varied
pursuits on the great highway of the ocean
In work like that of canal through the lsthmus OF
Daren be supposed that the requirements Of com
merce and navigation ia its most extended application
would alone be considered and taking this for the stand
ard canal two hundred feet wide and thirty feet deep
would seem to be the appropriate dimensions.
With such avenue from the Atlantic to the Pacific
the stormy and distant Of the extreme south would
be abandoned by Europe as well America, and we
should meet here on neutral ground pursuing with a
purpose the paths OF peaceful industry, which,
by its means, may suppose, would affect moral reyo
luton such the world hes known, and surpass-
ing in importance that which would be effected IN the
revolution of the commercial world
In making this report well in the performance of
the service trust that may have fulfilled the wishes
and expectations of the department and if have failed
anything desire 1t may not be ascribed to want OF
ZEAL but rather that laborous naval life has rendered
me unequal to the task imposed by the department
am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant
II. PAULDING,
| Flag Officer Commanding the Home Squadron.
The Hon ISAAC ToUcEY
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, d. c.
N B.-Appended to this report is paper submitted
by Col G. M Totcn, containing dimensions and Other
data for the proposed shipcanal across the ishmus Of
| Panama
Dimensions and other data Of tho proposed Ship Canal across '
Isti,nus Of Panama.
| length from shore to shore, 45a miles.
Length from five fathoms water in Navy bay on the
Atlantic to three fahoms water in Panama bay on the
| Pacific 48a miles,
The prism of water to be $50 feet wide at the bottom
| 27O feet wide at surface, and 81 feet deep.
The locks to be 400 feet in clear length of chamber and
90 feet in clear width
The summit level will be $50 feet above tide Of
the Atlantic and Pacific
The summit cut will be about miles long. The deep
cutting on this level will be 1876 feet and the
ldepth of the cut will be 40 feet.
The river Chagres yields ample supply of water fol
the canal ut all of the year. The summit love-
Twill be supplied by feeder about "a miles long, which
Twill tap the river Chagres about II miles above the town
of Cruces where the level Of the river is about 1875 feet
Iabove mean tide and about 80 feet above the summit
Nleve
The cost of this canal including the requisite harbo
improvements at each end will not exceed $50 600 900
4 G. NJ. TOTTEN.
AsrISwALL September H. 1857.
a New Aserod Tho following is copy of a lettel
addressed by Lieutenant Maury to the Secretary of thu
Navy:
OBSERVATORY Washington, Oct s, 1851
SIR new Aserod was discovered here last night by
mr. Ferguson with the large equatorial The following
II, its observed place last night at l0h 2lm. 24s
I'M Il. w. A. r. Oh 57m. 29s.4 Dec. 80 So 81" 81 N
lhe daily motion IS in A. r. SIS retrogade and in Dec
l. 3 54". 1t is of about the eleventh magnitude.
M f. MAURY,
| Lieut. United States Navy
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.