New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-23
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2a 1871

commerce and navigation. The route
which was found to be the most prac-
tieable for the canal is that extending
nom Limon Bay, on the Pacific, to the
Atrato by way Of the Napipi river, and
thence to the Atlantic through the Gulf
Of Darien.
1t is proposed that vessels coming from
the Atlantic should enter the Gulf Of Darien,
and then ascend the Atrato river to the
confluence Of the Napipi. An ugly bar must
be removed before the Atrato can be en-
tered, but the difficulties are by no means
SO great as to cause any objection to the
route on that ground. The Atrato having
been thoroughly examined, it is reported
that there are five fathoms of water the en-
tire way up the Napipi. the current itself
flowing at the rate Of from two and a halt
to three knots an hour, and the distance
being about one hundred and twenty miles.
The canal would commence at the Napipi,
and thence 10 the Pacific, its entire length
to be thirty-two miles. making the distance
from ocean to ocean about one hundred and
fifty miles. At the confluence of the Napipi
river the AtratO is forty-One feet above the
mean tide. Nine locks, each Of ten feet lift,
would be constructed from that point to-
ward the divide. The country thereabout is
comparatively fat. These locks would be
arranged so as to keep the cutting near the
The ninth lock would be constructed
convenient to the Dogado river which
flows into the Napipi, then AN open cut OF
two hundred and sixty-four feet in depth
and several hundred feet long would be
made to the Atlantic portal Of the divide.
which is six hundred and twelve feet in
height This mountain ridge is about half
10 fpny Don 60 ch..ro ov,1 OIL
most perpendicularly on that side. while on
the other it slopes gradually to the plain.
After the open cutting from the ninth
lock would come a tunnel through the
divide four miles in length. The tunnel is
to he sixty feet wide at the bottom. with a
total height Of one hundred and sixteen
feet-Hinety feet above the water line. At
ter passing through the tunnel with top
masts housed, vessels would descend to the
Pacific by means of thirteen locks. each of
ten feet lift-the depth Of water throughout
the canal being twenty-six feet. The total
cost for the construction Of the canal is es-
timated and set down at $l0o. 000. 900: and.
making an allowance of $25, 000.G00 for con-
tingencies. the entire sum would be
$l3O. 100000. The length Of time required
for the completion Of the work is stated to
be twelve years.
This, in brief is the route which is fixed |
upon by Commander Selfridge that is to
give to the commerce of the world a COM
munication between the two great oceans of
value to all maritime nations.
To ou- own country the benefit Of this canal
can not be measured by the cost Of con-
struction, for beside the revenue which |
will be derived from the shipping passing
through it, the commercial intercourse Of
The nation will be increased in conse-
luence Of the lessening of tine and dis
ance between the ports of our own and
he ports Of other commercial countries
~ this, as it must be when completed the
great highway Of commerce. Our own
State must especially feel the effects of the
construction Of this canal. being SO near
hat large part Of the shipping destined
o pass through it will seek this port for
he reception ard discharge Of tie cargoes
Intended for transmission to the South
american ports. 1t ought to be matter
f special interest to our citizens to urge
pom the federal government the speedy
and early completion Of this
FORK. for it is one ofthose measures which
aust bring increase of wealth and popula-
ion to our city and State.