Connecticut western news., 1876-11-17
The arien Ship Canal.

At q regular meeting or the American Geographical Society there was read 6 paper by Commodore Daniel Ammen, of the United States navy, "On the Sur veys and Reconnoissances9 from 1870 to 1875 for Ship Canal Across the Amert can Isthmus." In the absence of Com modore Ammen, Professor Gardner, the secretary of the society, read the paper. More than twenty years ago the com modore was attracted to tho considere- tion of the subject by the coincident explorations of several foreign nations. In 1856 ho presented his views to the secretary of the navy, but received no encouragement; however, he subsequent ly made survey, and since then Con gress has made ample appropriations 10 carry on tue work, which has been con- ducted under the auspices of compe- tent commission. On somo points actual preparations were made for constructing tho canal and estimates of the cost and plans for the experiment. were drawn up. The most careful and elaborate surveys will still be needed before be- ginning the work. The paper of tho commodore then deals extensively with foreign opinions in regard to the pructi- csbihty of interooeanic navigation. and notably with those of NJ. Drouilet, of Paris. On ono route surveyed a canal IA miles long would be required, and on another 61 75-10O miles of canal would be necessary, as we'll as the cont struction of two hnrbors. The Panama route (from Panama to AspinwslD was carefully surveyed and estimates of it's cost were made and submitted to tho government. The San Bias and Cale- donia bay routes, the Dc Puy route, the Atrato Tuyra route, the .Truando routes and others suggested by various survey ing parties were described, and their merits and demerits weighed ard com pared. It was shown that the adoption of the San Bias route would neceesitate the construction of canal twenty-seven miles long and tunnel of eight miles; that the Caledonia bay route Iwould re- quire tunnel of eleven, miles, on the lowest elevation of six hundred feet On the Atrato route the lowest elevation was sail to be 63S feet; on the lTruando route canal of fifty-two miles and . tunnel of IF, 250 feet would be required, and on another, via Cupria bay and Chirichiri bay, canal of twenty-eight miles and tunnel of from three to i've miles would be essential to the perform ance of the work. .rA .e 5an aa}
 The paper defends the United States government from the charges of foreign engineers and others, that the surveys had not been honestly or properly con ducted, and adds that the work had been iberally carried on and with altogether satisfactory results. The belief that England was opposed to the constructiop of a canal across the isthmus was shown to be groundless, and 1t was demon strated that England and Europe gener- ally would benefit by the Accomplishments of this great work. The overland rail- road companies have also been accused of opposing the canal project, but the commodore thinks that this will not b6 the case if those interested arc correctly understood. A transcontinental canal would build up instead of destroying railroad interests, It would require, however, the united efforts of all nations to carry the project out to D successful issue. There is no longer doubt of it's commercial practicability, and Connmd- dore Ammen is satisfied that the work can be best promoted by the surveys carried on by the. United States govern ment.