Weekly national intelligencer., 1857-10-10
PROPOSED SHIP CANAL ACROSS THE IsTHMUs
OF DAREN

PROPOSED SHIP CANAL ACROSS THE IsTHMUs
OF DAREN.
We insert below an interesting report to the Sc
cretary Of the Navy by Com. PAuLD1ro, Of the
home squadron, who, it will be remembered, was
charged with the duty Of making further investi-
cations relative to the feasibility of the contem-
plated ship canal across the Isthmus of Darien
Appended to Com. P.'s report will also be found
paper, drawn up by Colonel G. M. ToTTEN,
and containing succinct statement of the dimen-
sions of the proposed work, together with other
data Immediately bearing upon the question of its
practicability
1t is rare that papers SO brief are made the We
hicle of facts and statements more interesting or
momentous than those summed up in these two of
fcial documents. The reader, we are sure, will
share with us the pleasure which reports SO en-
couraging, proceeding from authorities so compe-
tent to pronounce intelligent and authentic OPT
MON in the premises cannot fail to impart to every
one who has reflected upon the widereaching issues
suspended on the accomplishment of the work in
question; and this pleasure is enhanced by the con-
sideration that the magnificent enterprise is not
only considered feasible, but the estimated cost of
its completion placed at figure which is positively
paltry when compared with the grandeur of the re-
suits which could not fail to flow from it in relation
to the commerce, civilization, and peace of the
whole world. If its probable cost were double the
sum stated in COL ToTTEN's estimate, it would
still be quite within the power and resources of the
commercial nations to meet the requsition ; and, in
view of the magnitude of its Consequences the
question of its expedieney could hardly be rendered
more problematica by such an increase of original
outlay in its construction. But when work of
this worldwide Importance, with all the appoint
ments necessary to give it completeness and dura-
blity, is represented as practicable under the ex
penditure of not than eighty millions of dol
lars, we are induced to hope and believe that the
day is not far distant when the capitalists of Europe
and of our own country will see in it means of
lucrative investment, and which shall promise
ample returns, not only to them, but to the whole
| civilized word, since it must be apparent that a
work of such Titanic greatness, though constructed
by individuals, would STILL in the highest and best
of senses, belong to all mankind, and become, by
its indispensable benefcence, new bond of union
in the universal Commonwealth of States.
Report Of Commodore Paulding.
FLAGSHIP WABASH
off Aspinwau, September 18, 1867.
SIR: On the 26th August, under the orders of the
Department of June 1st organized party and set out
on reconnaissance of the isthmus between Aspinwa
and Panama, with reference to the practicabilty of
constructing neroceanc canal the sthmus of
Darien " at this point.
The route by which the railroad passes was in every
respect the most desirable for this purpose and the
means by which the character of the country could be
best KNOWN as far as its topography and the features
essential with the object in view could be 1t was
in fact the direct for the accomplishment of the
purpose.
The officers who accompanied me have reported their
opinions in writing which shall be available the De-
partment if it is desired that they should be submitted
Col George M. Totten, the pioneer of the Panama
railroad and since its construction, the chief engineer
OF the company favored me with his presence and extern
sive information of what relates to this part of the 18TH
mus To him, and to Allan McLane, ESQ.,, the Pacific
Mail Steam Company's agent, who placed the steamer
Tobago at service for the examination of the Bay of
Panama was indebted for every facility that they
could afford me. Commander Hoff the senior officer
present in the Bay of Panama furnished boat to verify
the chart which accompanies this report By this it will
be seen that the water shoa for considerable extent
both to the east and west of the city of Panama
supposed that the canal could be united with the
waters of the Pacific either side of the city, and that
channel might be dredged to depth of thirty feet
to the navigae waters on sKps of large draupht
The bay then expands into ample harbor where the
winds are said never to blow with violence sufficiently
comprehensive for the commerce of the world and stud
ded with islands, convenient for a the great purposes
that the condition of things would call for by the con-
struction of a canal through the isthmus
The ishmus itself seems to present serious cbsa-
Gle to science for the construction of canal The whole
extent from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean is made up
of swamps hills and plains and the highest point of
land where the railroad passes is than two hun
dred and eighty feet above tho level of the sea- On
the whole route msst if not ALL the hills through which
the canal would pass would be required for embankments
over the plains and swamps and perceive in
superable obstacle to piercing the highest part so as
conveniently to make the the Chagres and Obs
po and Rio Grande available the wants of canal
The truth is, that in climate less favorable to the
white man, do not think the question of feasibility
would be raised 1t to be conceded from expert
ence that the African alone persistenty labor
In this climate few thousands of free blacks might be
obtained from the West India islands, but this
would be inadequate experienced by the opera
tions on the Panama railroad The of labor
would seem to be the great obstacle to the successful
compllshment of work of so much magnitude
To illustrate the typographical features of the sthmus
by the route of the railroad, and near which the canal
must pass have the honor to refer you the accompa
nylng prohle which has been kindly furnished by Col
Totten
On the Atlantic side the canal would enter the bay of
AsPlnwa the chart OF which is herewith referred In
approaching this point il would pass few miles from
the Chagres and enter the bay the river Chindi
Here 1t will be seen in the bay of Panama. extensive
dredging for canal to meet the deep would be
necessary The bay expands for the distance of about
hve miles, between two headands and open to the
breakwater would be necessary here With such
would afford the necessary protection against the
ocean SWELL the bay of Aspinwa like the bay Of Pana
ma would afford ample for the of Europe
as well as Americas and in contemplating these two bays
with the eye of seaman and in reference the great
work in question, would look though had
provided them for the special convenience of in his
laborous undertakings for the extension of commerce.
and place where all nations may in their varied
pursuits on the great highway of ths ocean.
In work like that of canal through the Isthmus of
Darien, it is to be supposed that the requirements of
and H. -l~I1