The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-01-29
THE DHRIEN CANAL.
The 1sthmus of Darien Interoeeanie
Canai-Suiveys of the Route
Feasibility and Importance of the
WoYk-Mr. Cushlpg's Missicp.
NEW YORK, Sundav, Jan. 3. ]

W0Ik-Mr CuSnlDk Misslen.
NEW YORK, Sunday, Jan. 3, 1869.
That the project Is eh'lreiy Dractlcabls
will LIobaoly not be disputed In the present
state OF knowledge, and In view of the
stupendouS works OF engineering that have
already been achieved as the results of ocien
tifie exertlon and skill. The Mexican
Desagne, the Suez Canal, the tunnel under
the Alps at Mount Gems, are sufficient In
themselves to prove that q canal connect
ing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans is not
only altogether practicable, III all respects
of time, cost and difficulty, but that interests
OF commerce aud intercourse between
the peoples of the habitabie globe are des>
tined to triumph over all merely physical
lmpediments and cOnsummate the greatest
and bOldest work ever suggested by human
ingenuity.
This project has commanded the atten-
ton OF merchants, engineers and statesmen
Tor more than century and numerous
surveys have been made Tor the purpose
Of determining the most feasible route,
Several plans have been suggested, survey
ed and abandoned, while others still claim
the attention OF scientific men and political
economists Not less than score of
routes. from Que ocean to the other, have
at various times been the subject ot discuss
ion, until finally those who nave given the
matter the profoundest study seem to he
convinced that ole Ut two routes, namely,
that from the Gulf of San Miguel To
Caledonia Bay, or that from the Bayano
river TO the Gulf OF San Bias, will uitim
ateiy prove the most advantageous and
feasible.
The map profile Of this route, which ac>
companies the admirable report Of Rear
Admiral Z. Ii. Davis places the rptIre
length OF u ship canal, acloss the Isthmus,
trom the mouth Ut the Bayano river TO she
Gulf OF San Bias, at little more than
thirty miles. Starting from the Pacific
side, the line ut com unicatlon Is almost
due north. In the BAyano ordinary high
tide Is sixteen feet on the opposite Coast
the ordinary rise ut tide is.pnly two and q
half feet. The LsIbOr on the north Is
spacious and deep that on the south is
also deep and sale. The most striking fea
ture VI this plan 10 . tunnel through the
Cordliieras, seven miles III ieugth, 100 feet
VIDE, and lis feet high, which w0did he
amply suthcloht to allow the passage OF a
nrot>ciass Han>of- War, with her iUp mast
and top gallant mast struck and her yards
traced, While steamers could, OF Course,
pass without difficulty. The bottom Ut the
prUpVleu canal Is 20 feet below high tide
IN the Pacific, aad the mean depth VI water
~ ieet. Tie following is table OF dis
tauce:
Miles.
From the bay Of Chepillo to Panels bay
ano River sc ctionl I0,l6
rom Panels to the funnel 1895
Length Of Tunnel 1000
From the Tunnel to San Bias. 1878
Total length of Canal 30,O3G
1he pian ccntcmplates tidal lock
across the great bend in the Bayano river,
near Chepo, aud probably AL aquedact
over the Mamonl liver, d few mics ABOVE
| Its junction with the Bayano. Nr Kelley :
estimates of tie cost OF thi. work are only
sos, 100, 0OO
The barren route, as proposed, com
| mences at some point In Caledonia Bay, on
the Atlantic anu proceeding IN south
westerly direction u distance VI thirty
miles, terminates In the q uf Ut San Miguel
10 the Pacific. Here there are good haI-
bors, at both ends vi the line, spacious and
admirable In every respect Tins route
was first suggested by DR.. Cullen IN 1880,
but his survey, which was ma &c without
| Instruments, was very unsatisfactory anu
very uOubtiui. 1t Was partially surveyed
some time ailerward 10y Mr.. Lionel Gls
borne, ut the London Associated Insti-
tute of Clvli Engineers, who pronounced
upon the piactlcabiii,y OF the scheme,
aud reported tavorabiy Of the capabilities
| ut Port Escoces and Caledonia Bay, anu
| also Of the eHtraBce into Darien Harhor,
| from the Gut OF San Miguel, 10y the
Boo Chica. He proposed following the
| Savannah River to It's tributary, Lara,
| aud thence cutting canal over the SUNNI,
level, which he estimated at only one h un
dred aud thirty feet, to the Caiedoula
River. This project might be executed
either with or without LOCKS. There seems
| how ever, to he sumo doubt in regard Il
the height OF the summit, as Capt. Pre-,
vvs, III 1853, turned back after reaching
AL attitude OF zoo feet; and even then
discovered no Indications that the hig hesI
point had been attained. This question
eau be definitely settled in no manner, save
by a survey with proper Instruments, which
although twice attempted has never been
completed. The difference in the height
of the tides at the two extIemities of thi.
route dimlnlshes the value of an open GU
without locks. The best authorities on the
| subj ect represent that at Chlpagana, elgh
4 VI lille HtftS dDO6c lnc lUUuln OF TIT
| Savannah llvcr, the tide rises from twenty
five to thirty teet, while there is a rise o
only two feet in the Atlantic on the Cd
pos,te coast, but the mean tide level is tn,
sauIe III both oceans. This last fact maj
| be regarded as definitely settled notwith
standing the difference OF opinion formeri,
entertained among distinguished auth
| critics.
| La the winter of 1866, through the exer
tions of Hon. John CONFESS, OF California
who iakes the llveilest interest In this Ell
terprse, aided by certain other patrlo:i,
members OF both Houses. Congress appro
priated $40, OOO tor the porpose of making
| Government survey which should at Que,
verify ths measurements of the San Bia.
route by Mr.. Kelley, and make an acccur-
ate map aud profile of the Darien line from
the Savannah river TO Caledonia Bay, il
order to determine which of the two il
the more practicable The appropriation
is now awaiting the action OF the Depart
ment of State. In the meantime, Mr.
| Seward has dispatched Caleb Gushing t.
| the capital of New Grenada to secure III,
| privilege OF making further surveys by the
! United States Government, and If posi-
I ~. RI sseute tho ric hi Of u,ay ,cr,,-o ~,