Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-04-16
The Proposed Ship Canal Across the 18TH
mus Of Darien

The subjoined article from the Cincinnati ii
Times gives some interesting information in very
concise terms:
The project of ship canal across the Isthmus
of Darien has | ng been entertained by the lead
ing minds of the world, and the construction of
tn vast work is but a question of time. Con-
gresS has appropriated Il sum amply sufficient
tor The thorough survey and exploration of the
proposed route, and a corps of army engineers
with appropriate assistance will soon be seen
detailed for the service. Thus has the United
States taken initiatory steps in one of the most
magnificent ideas of modern times. Napoleon,
i'll his expedition to Egypt, discovered the site
of an ancient canal across the Isihmus of Suez.
and his engineers by survey estimated the cost
0t re-0pening the work; but it was never accom-
pIished.
Our readers will, remember the terrible suffer-
ing of Lieut.. Strain and his companions who eii-
dravored to cross the Ishmus OF Daren on a
preliminary reconnaissance by order of our gov
eminent Profting by his experience, we trust
the expedition now about to commence opera
tions will be able to avoid disaster. A few de-
tails i'll relation to the scene # operations may
be interesting 10 our readers.
The ISthmus of Darien, or rs il is commonly
styled, The Isthmus of Panama counect' North
and SOnth America, and is principally compri-
sed III the republic of Granada. On the north
ern 81 J.. the Clrrtb IAN sea and the 6 If of Da-
ren on the south the Gulf of Panama In length
the l.lhmus proper is about two hundred mile. !,
with an average wild h OF forty miles, but in lon
gituGe - degrees ii narrows down to less than
thirty miles. At this point it is proposed to eS.
tab.i>h lhe ship canal The Country is undula-
ting with chains ri small mountains, but very
fertile and well timbered. The expense OF "A
cummodious ship CANA, say thirty miles long
and iva hundred feet wide, would not he less
Than fifty millions of dollars. England, France
and Holland are anxious to aid in the work, and
become joint owners with the United State.
When it is considered that one-half the world =
commerce won d in all probability pass through
this canal, the expense sinks into a mere tritle.
All the India and China trade, instead ot doub-
ing Cape liurn, would find passages through
the canal II should he free Ia all nations who
assist i'll the construction by money or crcdi
The appropriation alluded to was embraced in
the naval appropriation bill. 1t gives a sum nos
to exceed 5 20 UU to he paid to officers selected
by the Secretaries of War and Navy for the pur-
pose of making explorations and verihcation of
the survey already made of a ship canal near the
lhnuS of Darlen, To connect the waters of the
Pacific and the Atlantic by the Atrato and Trn-
andn rivers. Mr.. cuck, a member of the COM
mrtte OF conference on the part Of the House OF
Represent atives, explained Ibis provision in
serted by The Senate, in brief but tolcibe terms
He stated that The government of Granada had
given company OF Americans the right to ex-
pIore aud build ship canal, if practicable, hr'O
the Ishmus of Daren. They have made the
survey and believe a ship canal to be altogether
praci cable; but thy had come to the conclusion
that capitalists viii not invest i'll this explora-
lion unless it be endorsed by competent officers
OF the government. They merely ask that their
exploration shall be este by officers of the
my aud navy The House concurred in the
/ m, nj tho Senate