New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-16

may be described as chain OF lstDhuee'' ''ine ="
fact formed of several narrow necks connecting large
swes, or lobes of extensive areas so that IL were
somewhat indefinite to say in general the lsthmus
and accordingly we have the Isthmus OF fahaina at
the Bay of Panama; the Isthmus OF Darleh al the
Alsato River the Isthmus of Nicaragua at the Lake
of Nicarag1a. the Isthmus of Honduras at the Bay
of Honduras and the Isthmus OF lehuantepec al le-
buantepec. and many explorations have been made
across each of these isthmuses and also at mterme-
date points.
An termination Of the map of the Central Ameri-
con Istlyrnus shows that the general trend
of tbe Pacific coast thereof is northwest and
southeast and runs inearly straight, but that
the Atlantic coast has very irregular shore line
and that between Tehuantepec and Honduras
Guatemala, and Yucatan form one of the obes of the
isthmus, ana that the Mosquito Coast shows another
lobe as mentioned above both reaching well out to-
ward the east 1t will also be observed that the
great aXal mountain range, the Cordleras, connect
ing the mountain systems Of the country, lies near
TO, and parallel WITH the Pacific coast. This noun
tain system is the great obstacle in the way of the
realization of a ship canal. 1t may be easy enough
to follow river valley to its head in the mountains
but to cross them in the ordinary way by noun
tain summit level, is almost impractcabe, because
there is no drainage basin available for sup
plying the high summit level with water and they
could only be tunneled at an elevation where the
full sized river could be diverted into the tunnel
level; and when we consider the great hight of open
ing Of tunnel that would allow the largest sailing
vessels to pass through the HOosac OF Mt Gents tun-
ne or even the proposed tunnel under the Straits Of
Dover, may be, either Of them, less undertaking.
To notice all the routes that have been proposed
surveyed would require space than is consistent
with the character of this article, and we will de-
scribe in general the conditions of those routes con
sidered to be the most important and advantageous,
and which have been classed with reference TO the
subdivision of the Isthmus as before stated.
PANAMA.
Ever since the year 1882, twenty-three years after
the first settlement in America, the line of Commu-
nicaton over this Isthmus has been by the valley of
the CbaTes River. between Chagres and Panama.
The Panama Railroad now occupies this line very
nearly, the surveys for which established the fact
that the difference of level of the two oceans is so
little as not to be an obstacle to the construction of
n ship canal
In 1915, NJ. Garetta Chief Engineer Of Mines made
careful survey by the valleys of the Chagres and
BeTnardino rivers. The highest point gained was
400 feet above the He proposed tunnels 25 feet
below the summit and 1Sj feet above tide three and
one-eghth miles long, but the summit-leyel was TO
be nearly five miles long On the Atlantic side
eighteen locks proposed. and on the Pacific side
seventeen. This line was s. miles long The main
difficulty was in supplying water TO the summit
level. The section of the canal being necessarily
great and the available drainage surface limited,
it is doubtful whether any system Of reservoirs could
be provided that would be sufficient for the needs of
such canal and this remark applies to all Isthmus
canals with locks The terminal harbors are Navy
Bay, on the Atlantic side, and the Bay of Vaca del
Monte, on tho Pacific side. neither Of which is suit
able or adequate for the purpose Of canal connection
There are three other prominent routes across this
isthmus, viz: From Bayonas River to the Gulf of
Manzanilla; from Caledonia Bay to the Gulf OF san
Miguel and from Atrato to San Miguel.
The first the narrowest part Of the isthmus,
but the hostility of the native Indians has prevented.
until very recently, an examination of this route.
In 1854, Mr.. Kelly of New-York made a successful
expedition by this route the result of which showed
that the distance was 80 miles He proposes tun-
mel seven miles long. through the mountains; the
whole canal at the level of the sea, with tidal locks
to control the flow of the tide in the canal His plan
does not indicate any lift locks. The terminal bays
are described as being of sufficient depth and room
for necessary roadsteads.
The second route lies between harbOrs said to be
admirably adapted to the necessities Of the canal
termini.
The earliest settlements in America were made
near this route, and at Agla Oh Caledonia Bay, and
here was the scene of the many buccanecr raids on
the earlier Spanish settlements.
Many expeditions have been set on foot in Great
Britain France and the United States, with the pur-
pose to explore this route, none Of which have had
satisfactory success. thrilling account of the ex-
petition of Lieut. Strain Of the L. s. Navy and its
failure may be found in Harpe's Monthly Magazine
E. nr Chill - ~ ne
being quite practicable; there being no lift locks:
the distance q miles, and the mountain section an
open cut two miles long and only $50 feet deep and
the plains of the river drainage reaching quite up to
the foot of the mountain ridge Bat these statements
are not based on exact measurements surveys and
ca mot be relied on. However, the general good
conditions Of this route confirmed by
the surveys of Capt. Provost Royal Navy,
and of Mr.. Gsborne, engineer, made the
one from the Pacific, and the other from
the Atlantic shore neither being to get across TO
the oppOsite side 1t TO be the general opinion
Of those who have given the subject the most aten-
ton that this route is the most favorable ana best
conditioned Of all yet explored and that it is possible
to cut an open canal by this route.
In 1864, NJ. Bourdiol. Engineer in the interest of
French society, attempted to make survey III this
region, but failed to get through. lSee Bulletin Of
the Geographical Society of Paris, 1861
The third route referred to above, ascends the
Tuyra from the Gulf Of Panama. and crosses TO
the valley of the River Atrato. The mountain ridge
ia said 10 be only about 200 feet above the sea- and
the entire route, excepting three miles across the
mountains now nayigabe by canoes. No survey Of
this route has yet been made, unless very recently.
and definite information cannot be given concerning
it,
DARIES.
Explorations and careful surveys Of the Atrato
route by lines between the Atrato River and diff