New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-06-30
THE SUFZ CANAL.

It was an idea of the great Napoleon, founded
upon the actual performance of the old Egyp-
tans, to connect the Red Sea with the Medi-
terranean. That idea is about to be consum-
mated under the reign of his nephew. The
work of the Suez Canal has come so near to
an operative state of completion that the
admirers of its great engineer are celebrating
his triumph and its chief patron and proprle-
tor is visiting Europe to arrange for its opening
to the commerce of the world. The several
objects of Ismael Pasha's visit are variously
surmised Some have speculated that he desires
to discuss the Egyptian Consular question,
but as the Cabinets of Europe cannot
treat with the Viceroy directly without
almost recognizing Egypt and Offend
ing the Niceroy's sovereign, the Sultan, this
view has been more than questioned. The
Viceroy, though believed to be bold enough
to entertain the ambition Of detaching Egypt
from Turkey, is not, to all appearances, seek
ing that end at present. On good grounds it
is affirmed that the objects of the Pasha's
visits are firstly, the naturalization by general
consent of Europe Of the Suez Canal; and
secondly, the invitation Of the Kings or their
princely proxies to the grand ceremony of its
opening, which is to take place on the 10th of
October next.
The history of the great Canal as a project
has been extraordinary; the work itself is
gigantic. Further back than 1916, NJ. Ferdinand
do Lesseps conceived the plan of his achieve
ment BY long intimacy with the yiceregal
family and court, he won from Egypt conces-
sion for the enterprise, and in 1854 organized
his company NJ. Lesseps was finally made
manager of o Universal Company, under
grant for ninety-ni years, and subject to
Egyptian appointment. The works were to be
at the Company's expense, and the vice-royalty
TO receive Is per cent of the earnings yearly.
The ship-tarif of the canal should be the same
for all nations. In case the Company desired
to join the canal with the Nile, they might take
at their own expense the uncutiyated lands
thereby They might quarry stone free, and
similarly import all machinery, and at the end
of the term of the grant the Egyptian Govern
lnent would come into possession of the work. BY
q clause added in 1856, four-ffths of the canals
workmen weret to be Egyptians. These workmen,
to the number of 10000. were to be furnished by
the Government, but the Sultan withdrew this
portion of the Viceroys offer The Company
suffered from want of labor and from Turkish
prejudices, and at one time were ordered to
leave Egypt. Their complaints being referred
to Napoleon by the Viceroy. it was decided
that the concession of 1854 was binding, and
that Egypt should pay an indemnity of &c.
100000.
The Canal in oil its windngs will be one
hundred miles, though in direct line it is but
seventy miles long, running through four
lakes, and between the termini of Suez and
Port Said, in channel variOusly from 246 to
32S feet wide and 20 feet deep. At Port Said,
on the Mediterranean, two breakwaters, nearly
two and three thousand yards long respec-
lively, and including q triangular area of $50
acres have been built to form complete har-
Dor. They are hugely formed, being 20 yards
at the base, 10 in hight. and 0 at the summit. At
Suez mole $50 yards in length was to be
constructed, equally as protection against
gales and tides, for the dredging of the Suez
channel, and for the reclamation Of lands.
Statistics show that the Nile pouls out thirteen
million cubic yards OF sand and mud into the
Mediterranean, which obstructive volume is
borne toward the shore Of the Mediterranean
near lynch, filling up the sea thereabout with
shifting mud and sand. Hence, the great
breakwater of Port Said. But il Is upon the
Suez side the work encountered its greatest
trials. Both provisions and water, OF which
the adjoining country was barren, had to DO
brought from Cairo, the latter by system OF
pipes. One great effect of the work, significant
as to its future benefits, is that the popula-
ton of Suez has been increased by 1t from