The New York herald., 1869-11-22


careful soundings all the way, with the view Of
ascertaining how far the canal IS already prac-
tcable for large vessels. Their report Is that much
has yet To be done, but that the engineers admit
this, whie insisting that all viii be ready before
the opening day. As the soundngs taken
yesterday gave ave feet and haf IN certain places
II ls to be hoped the engineers are right. On the
1ith, however, the Viceroy's yacht, which draws
from seventeen to twenty-Lwo Ieet or water, viii
leave Port Said for Suez, making an experimental
trip, and II all goes well the Vceroy himself Will go
over the same ground ior water) In her the next
day. The programme for the 18th Is, OF course,
liable to alteration, but that OF men OF war OF seve-
raj nations will take part In 1t, that the Emperor
here and that 100 00O OF the Vceroys subjects VIII
be encamped at ismailia, to represent the various
colors and customs OF the tribes over which MS
Hlghnes5 has sway, Is the present belief.
The passenger by steamer finds IL difficult 10 real
ize that there Is anything IN the way OF the inaugu-
ration being success for his craft draws but little
water and though he feels grating against the Dot
tom once for moment it Is explained that this IL
before he Is out OF the shadows OF portion OF
Lake Tismah and does not bear upon tine canal.
The astonishing thing Is the extent of the traIlc
already going on One does not consider at first that
these large sailed barges are all OF light
draught and as Port said and its break
waters are reached at night the sight or
large steamers and enormous harbors strengthens
the Illusion that the Canal virtually open and that
the Inauguration Is u formally. 1t Is right to add
that TINS assumption IS utterly erroneous, and that,
while those best qualified to form an opinion are
confident OF It's ultimate aud speedy success. they
equally certain that 1t Is being opened too soon
and that the regular traic OF large ships Will have
IsNAILIA, Oct. %. 1869.
Since posting my letter have steamed along the
canal again at steady rate OF nine knots an hour,
and have spent another day IN sounding It's depths
at parts said TO be critical. The circumstances
under which ! was enabled to do this were
peculiarly favorable to independent observation.
no Frenchnan and no otiiclal connected with
either the Egyptian government or the SueC Canal
Company were OF the party; and the lead was heaved
ana the measurements were taken and recorded
until the precise state Of the canal and the extent Of
It's alpe5s for great ships are as well known TO US as
they can possibly be to any one. Whenever there
was doubtful return from the man with the lead
our little steamer was stopped ana Its boat put out
One or our party was then pulled slowly across the
canal with q lead line in one hand and measuring
rope in the other The end OF the latter was held by
one OF US on the steamer and as each yard
was paid out the depth shown Dy the lead line was
called from tho boat and entered 10 book. Every
precautioa Was taken against ne possibility OF error,
and whenever the return OF tue number OF feet OF
depth differed from what we expected tie waters
were gaueed again and oy another hand. Careful
notes were taken throughout and compared and
veri1ed while we were ou the spot, so that what
have record may be accepted as being as authen.
TIC and accurate an account OF the present state OF
the Suez Canal as can be possibly arrived at under
any conceivable condition.
1t Is highly satisfactory TO be able to conhrm gen.
orally the statements OF the French engineers There
can DO no sort Of doubt thar deep passage exists
all the way between the Red Sea and the Mediterra-
and that vessels can aud do pass along the entire
canal The width OF thls passage on the lit OF NO
vember, ana whether all It's remaining shoals Will
have been removed by that date. are the only points
upon which dllerence OF opinion can arise. The
great surface breadth or the canal, to which have
already alluded AZ most impressive to stranger,
has oil course, nothing To do with It's capacity for
bearing large ships 1t Is the freedom from obstruc
rlon OF the central channel upon which their safety
must depend, and upon which English owners must
be satisfied before avallng themselves or the route
Tns can be only tested by SUCH a course as nave
taken part In, or by ship OF q certain draugnt
passing through or sticking last. Taxing tue
posts or buoys which mark out one side OF
| this channel our standing point, we measured
| aud gauged as | have SAID ana arrived at
| the unanimous conclusion that While 1t would be
Impossible Tor the Viceroy's yacht the Mahroussa,
which draws eighteen feet or water to pass from
to sea now, 1t Is quite PROBABLE that matters viii
| have been 50 lar advanced by the 12tn, the day
fixed for the experiment to be tried privately that sue
Will DO SO witnouG hitch. We found several
| places in which the dredging macnines-which
are on the same principle ~ those working on the
| Thames, bringing UP q SUCCESSION OF bucketsful
| OF earth and sand from the bottom, deposiJlng the
| mass into long trough which tits Its con.
| to do The lead not unfreluently gave depths con-
| slderably under that which Is to be guaranteed
though the rapldtY with which the statistics recov
| cred themselves, and the suddenness with which
| the return jumped from low TO sufficiently Eigl
figure proved The obstacles still existing 10 be OF IN
| considerable siZe Their existence Is not denied b.
the authorities, who insist however, that they vii
| be removed by the day OF the inauguration.
| Or the eldtngs, or stations as they are marked Il
the last map OF the canal published by authority
only one exists. This Is ut Kantara between Lax
Ballah and I'll Ferdame, and Is OF sufficient size 70
It's purposes. e., Tor admitting ships to temporsr
anchorage while other ships pass In an opposit
when th IS an nsed "
tlon with stoppage Ia md-translt might suggest
being simply y Day scooped out OF the CANALS sides
| and deepenad until Tt affords an ample an
| chorage ground. There viii be ten OF thes
bays hereafter, so that there VIII be opportunities .
| stopping or OF turning ut every len miles. Tn
| parts OF the canal known the ouez and Serapeun
| Cuttings show the narrowest surface of water an,
the stif ground by tAe corner OF Lake ilmsah la
the greatest number OF men, camel9 and asses bus
on It's banks. The scene here recalls Mr.. Poynter'
picture or '.Israel In Egypt' forcblysave tnat til
| suck is being applied, not to men, euG to the ovel
| worked, overlaaen camels and donkey, who's
means, and occasional stubborn upsets Of an
refusal to carry, their burdens OF sand and ston,
| can be seen and heard from tle steamer
| Tnat there Is some tide IN the canal was inslste
on yesterday by more tnan one dweller on Its bank
| We were ut some pains 10 collect and compare IN
local evidence on TINS disputed point, and Whine u
we spoke to declared there was q rise and fall, war;
Ing IN their statement from two fDct to SIX non
| would asree To this beng due 10 wkid, but ponte
10 regular water line, which they averred TO 1
hign water mark. Another polnh, to which "
| gave more attention than | was aDle I
Destow upon 1t during previ ous visits, wa
the action OF the water upbn tue canal
SIDES. These sides or banks vary considerably
| character Now stretching 10 q great height no
| low lying; now composed OF nne dry sand now
sand which IS nermingled with mud and compar
| tlveiy hard. Throughout yon l. rel Yourself on
| mighty river rather tnan on artificial chaune
Where the sides look softest and wnere the marks
| cames' nools sink deepest and cumsiest into Il
| soil, the ripples from two stea ners meeting ce
tainiy bring down Jumps Of sand, aud coun
| less small holes, as burl owed by minui
animals, show that these port Dns are undermine
| by the action OF the water. In many parts, nov
ever, the stunted shrubs of tne desert nave bee
| planted; and In others u small barricade OF 400.
| rock nas been placed at tfe W Aters edge, and bot
| these preseryatiyes appear tmectual where trle
| Inc condition OF some OF the banks, particua rly
| road near the Vlceroy'5 cnaset-an edlace nea
| isnaila not to De confuundeu with the palace DR.
vlously alluded to as in course OF erection-sh ow
however, now the Line dry sand drifts. ~ being hr
| feet deep yesterday In sand, which had cvldent
| not laid on 1t long.
| 10 sum up conclusions I, In common with tn
observers, regard II unfortunate tnat the foi IN
inauguration OF thls great enterprise should III
have been delayed at lea t few months longer; IN
While OF OPINION that large ships may be pill, ,te
| through from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea O
! the l7Ln November consider that the proceed lin
VIII not be free from risk and Will need The hi ies
pllotage. But thar the unproken communication Dt
| tween ser ana sea Is no myth, aud tnat furt tel
and perhaps continuous, expenditure OF capi IA
labor and skill IN the direction which has areald
accomplished so much ore alone needed 10 make tn
Suez Canal practicable highway for tho nations @
| the earth must be obvious to all VINO have ey G
L ann