The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-02

expedient. Mr.. Fowler describes his plan
as follows:-I propose to the me-
chanical power Of the descending water OF
the cataract to draw the boats along
ship incline overland, between the top and the bot
tom OF the cataract. To accomplish this upon the
right bank OF the river there will be constructed
ship railway about three kilometres south OF Assou-
an, and terminating at the top of the cataract in
the harbor OF Shella north of the Islands OF Bggin
and Philg. The boats to be transferred from one
end OF the cataract to the other Will be foated
upon suitable carriage or cradle, constructed to
run upon the railway and win be hauled overheard
by powerful hydraulic engines OF about four hun
dred horse power, placed near the centre OF the
railway These engines will be safe and manage
able, not liable to arrangement and of class
already largely employed by myself and Others with
success for drawing loaded wagons at q low rate
OF speed upon railways. The water to work the
engines will be pumped up at a high pressure
by a pair OF large stream wheels, carried
upon pontoons and driven by one OF the
smaller rapids at the lower end OF the
cataract. convenient site will be found near
Shayl for the erection Of workshops, wharves
and other conveniences. The total length to be
raversed by the boats overland Will be 1861 yards.
or about two miles, and the speed will vary from
four to eight miles an hour, according to the
weight OF the boat. Tue machinery will be sufil-
GENTLY powerful TO haul steamers well as loaded
boats over the incline The cost OF the ship incline,
machinery, workshops, wnarves and all expenses
required to complete the work ready for traffic
win be S1,OOo,ooO and am of the opinion that the
entire work may be completed in one and a half
years from the time of its commencement The EN-
cheney and convenience OF this proposed ship in
cline for the object contemplated are indisputable.
and its cost in comparison with its advantages
small. IL should, If possible, preccde the Soudan
Railway, so as to give increased facilities for gen.
eTal ntercommunication and fer thu transport OF
men and material.
Mr. Fowler's plan is certainly bold one and 1t
is worthy Of study applicable to our own Ameri-
can rivers.
BRIDGE ACROSS THE NILE.
During the survey it was observed by the engi-
neers that az Kobe an irregular ridge OF rocks
extends considerable distance across the Nile,
with deep water channel near the centre, afford.
ing considerable facilities for the erection OF a
bridge. chart OF the river was therefore pre-
pared. ana these with other particulars were sent
10 Mr.. Fowler, then at Assouan, and decided that
there was the proper point to the Nile 10 the
left bank. subsequent surveys have also been
made In order to determine II steam ferry
would not be more practicable, but the
original plan was found to be the best
and least expensive. The erection OF
bridge has, therefore, been decided upon and in
those deserted regions, where an engineer has
done no work for 1000 years, 1t will, indeed be a
curious spectacle to find the mighty river spanned
by a work planned by the most eminent OF Eng
lands engineers. Ambukol, where the rivers bank
is Interchangeable. and where the ancients have left
remains of pier OF masonry, is the point OF di.
yergence across the Bohiuda Desert. An excel
lent harbor exists at this point. In all the terri
tory contiguous to the Bohiuda Desert there are
ruins left by the ancient Ethiopian Empire.
Too remote for travelling archnologists and too
unwholesome for scholars like Mr.. George Smith,
rich qualities Of historical lore lie buried in shall
low graves throughout this territory soon to be
included within tho zone OF civilization.
ESTIMATE OF THE COST
The estimates for the construction OF this railway
have been very carefully elaborated, They include
OUTLAWS for the purchase OF material in England,
Its carriage to Alexandria and unloading there,
freight from Alexandria to Cairo by sail and carnage
by river to Wady Hafa for the Nile bridge at Kohc
for yiadpcts. arches and culyerts, for new tee.