The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-05-09


eofking ssasons q the years 1870. 1871
1872 1878 and was very thorough and
poiaplete. embracing IN the routes hereto
fore supposed to be pactieal---T ehuante-
pee, Honduras, Chirique, Nicaragua, Pan
anna. Darien, Truando aud the Atrato, Civ
ING very interesting aud satisfactory ac-
counts Of the climate, soil, productions, to-
biography geology, photographic operations,
and astronomical and barometrical obser-
vatsens, together with the sanitary condi-
tious. as shown BY the effects upon the
health Of the surveying party and the
natives, aud much valuable information in
reference to the Isthmus generally, which
is no longer ferra iaeogaifa, or even
doubtful land, as to its practicabiIity for
ship canal.
The report gives preference to the
Atrato or Napipi route, over all that were
surveyed Its general features will, | am
convinced says Commander Selfridge,
sprovo that here is the spot so long sought
for, shorter than any other upon the con
tinent presenting no insurmountable en-
gineering obstacles, and at a cost much
less than amy rival routes. This route as
described in the report Of 1871, is as fol
lows :-'s Commencing at the mouth Of the
Atrato river, Il includes $50 miles Of river
navigation, to point below the mouth of
the Napipi; through the valley Of the lat
ter on nearly west course, and terminates
at the mouth Of the Limon river in Cupi-
ca bay. The harbors at the termini are
mall respects admirably adapted to every
requirement. In the later report Of 1873, it
is described as follows 80 The dimensions
of the canal projected by this route, are
depth Of rs feet, and width at bottom, in
earth, Of 80 feet, and in rock of 60 feet,
and q surface width Of about 72 feet, which
is about the size Of the Suez canal. The
Atrato river at the mouth Of the canal, be-
ing 40 feet above sea-level, nine locks Of
10 feet Lift are used to reach summit
level Of 1870 feet, and thirteen locks, Of the
same lift, on the Pacific slope. While
locks are not necessity on this route, a
moderate number would interfere but little
with the transit, and reduce greatly the
amount and cost Of excavation. The arti-
fetal cut orexcayation is 2s miles in length;
Of this % miles are over aplain, three miles
of moderate deep cutting and three miles
Of tunneling. The tunnel win be liz feet
high and 60 feet wide, leaving 81 feet in the
clear, above the water surface. The canal
may be filed, at the summit-level, by the
Napipi river, distant but few hundred
yards, whose volume, measured April lst,
at the close of the dry season, when the
river was very low, amounted to 10000
cubic feet per hour, or a daily volume of
1921 200 feet Ten lockages day would
represent about the work required of the
canal, suppOsing yearly transit Of 3,0OO,-
600 tons. This service would require
6,7S0, 900 cubic feet of water per day, or
5,467 200 feet less than the capacity Of
the river. This quantity Of water supply
can be doubled BY feeder from the Bo-
joya river, not more than three miles long.
-Four plans Of construction are given,
with the cost Of each. The first is put
down at s6O,5s3, TAG; the second at
s53, 1887 ,2i7 the third at s72,518,795
the fourth, or open cut plan, without locks,
except three on the Pacific side, at $780,
113,445. This latter plan contemplates
an open cut through the entire distance,
using no part Of river bed, leaving the
rivers to perform their natural functions in
carrying off the immense rain-falls of the
wet season, thus preserving at all times
slack water navigation in the canal. This
plan, while costing tho most, is deemed the
best. The general advantages Of the canal
Inc via the valleys Of Napipi and Doguado
rivers, are /: shortness Of line almost en-
tire excavation in rock, material that
admits Of closer estimate of cost than
any other; simplicity Of engineering, pro-
ducing lower calculation Of cost with
less uncertainty of change from original
estimates than any other; absence of
swamp land but one river to cross; gen
eral datness Of the greater portion Of the
route freedom from earthquakes absence
Of high winds that tend to impede the nav !
igation Of a canal by large vessels; an
almost land-loeked harbor on the Atlantic
coast, and harbor on the Pacific equal to
any other route surveyed. This portion Of |
the report concludes as follows: 'sThe
United States has now, through the various
expeditions fitted out for the purpose, the
whole data to decide upon the feasibility |
Of project that has been the dream of
centuries, and the best location for an en-
terprise the greatest and most important
the world has yet soen.v
In connection with the above we pub
lish the following telegram taken from
Wednesdays papers
PayAxA, April 2s.--The United States
steamer Saranac returned here from Darien |
coast ON the 18th instant with the United |
States Commissioners who went to verify Cap |
lain Selfridge' canal route Experience there |
30 far has not destroyed feelings Of preference
for the roate by Nicaragua, generally enter
lained by the Commissioners. The Commits |
sion will now cross the Isthmus to Aspinwall, |
md thence be conveyed to Atrato river, which |
they will ascend and examine.
Annexation vas defsatsd in Baltimore
county, on Tuesday last, By a majority Of |
555i This Is rather an emphatic rebuff |
~ tko fns..It,v x,r,.,..,,,., 81 tha 49,. - L