The Weekly Arizonian., 1869-11-06
Opening of tl.e suez canal
TFrom tho Examinor.1


 
 The & F. Commercial Herald thus speaks of the probable effects of the opening of the Suez Canal on European commerce with asia and refers to the better route of transit through the Isthmus of Darien, subject long since edi- torially revived, Tie cost Of the latter could be repaid in less than twenty years by tke in- creased development t would give to the inter, ests of the Pacific coast
 From a circular issued by Mons. de Lesseps we obtain some valuable information relative 10 the cost of navigating the Suez Canal Ma vigatian is free to the vessels of all nations, provided they draw TO more than twerty-tour feet cf water, and all sailing vessels over fifty tons must employ one of tAe Company's tugs Steamers can use their own propeliers, but side wheelers are not to bs allowed that pgYiige, on account of the wash against the canal banks For the same reason, the rate of speed will not be allowed to exceed S niles the the hon', The dues will be calculated upou the real tonnage of the vessel, as shown by her papers. The transit duty from one sea to the other will be ten francs per ton ol guage, and toll of ten francs payable at either entrance. The charge for towing will be ten francs per ton. Twenty five centin ems. per ton, per day, will be charged all vessels after the lapse of one day, anchorins at Post Sad, Isnaila or Suez. Pilot charges will be based upon tue draught of the ves- sel, and will range from five to tsenty francs. In tbe event of vessel being brought 10 a standstill in the Canal. the pilot is to receive twenty francs per day. IL will be seen from this programme that a vessel going at the max imum rate of speed allowed will make the transit from sea to sea in about eightesn hours. The cost to ship 1000 tons, will be in the neigh6orhood of $2,50O; but wha. Is that com pared with the cost of sending the same vessel around either of the Capes
 When We consider the shortening of time, the saving ofeypense8 for equipping, provisioning and insurance, the vast economy in wages. wear and tear, and the freshar condition of the transported merchandise, we at once perceive that all European commerce with Asia must select the Suez route so soon as 1t becomes practicable. The modification of cur present style of shirbuildjng will probably ensue, Yes sels of large tonnage will be constructed, with greater beam and length and much less draught of water. Allowing tha. ,nly twenty vossela, of thousand tous eacl, should pass through the Canal daiy-and we believe the number will be much more on an aycrage-the pro- ceels will aggregate eighteen and a quarter millions of dollars per onaum. 4 canal through Darien would pay even better, for the route would be much more popular, on account ofits superior sa'chri'y and the avoidance of those intense heats and frequent calms which prevail in Red Sea Able engineers believe that the work can be done for less than one hundred nil lions, while the ditanca from ocean to ocean is less than half that ofthe Suez Canal, aiIordipg quicker transit; and the nature of the ground is hard and rocky-uot susceptible of being mju- red by wash An annual receipt of from eight cen to twenty million on the outlay of q hundred millions is, in our opinion, q pretty good investment.
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