The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-20

economy IN money noped for By the use Of this in
srument the perloraiiou OF the headng oil Ten miles
could be accomplished, working ut both ends o Tue
tunnel ia little three years. Seven miles coud
be driven IN two years and three months Making dua
allowance Tor delays and mshaps, and such audItona
time might be necessary for completing the break
down. and we may confidently hope TO see the tunnel
composed, as wen as tue exterior WORK: mhS ;rv
commencing operations Besides. We might confidently
hope, as all experiences has shown for Improvements IN
the rate OF progress as the work Is continued. More
over, there are other inventions and appliances Tor
the same end, more or less successful and whose IN
ventors and manufacturers are continually striving
10 improve. When such great work as that con-
tcmplated Is on band such eudeavors will certainly
use or choice OF one method but shall probably ha,a
several from which TO select
THE COST ov rUSSxLLISa.
With regard to the estimate for the OF tho tunnel
IL may he remarked that S. or 81 Dor cubic ward
pays we'll for small tunnels OF great length, whore
the difference between tho sectional OF the head
Ing and Of the complete Tunnel Is far than this
Tho heading is the greatest item OF expense.
ward This has boon cut down IN the ST. Gothard
nearly one-hali. and Is fixed at f32. The aver
age is made up in the comparative cheap OF the
break down. With a tunnel having a sectional area
OF the magnificent proportions OF that required, the
greater part OF the work becomes simple quarrying.
1t is than probable that the figures which the
OF the tunnel have been estimated can be reduced
by Ut Ieust one-thrd. The expense OF the exterior
work VIII be much less 10 get an idea OF It's amount
we will suppose the cutting TO be entirely through
solid rock for the whole distance and Of an average
depth OF sixty feet The profile shows this be ample
SUCH cutting 100 feet wide, would have sectional
OF QUO feet about 666 square yards At 81 20
or seven shilings sterling, per cubic yard IL would
cost 165 60 say E233 per yard forward For ten
miles this would be about 500 500 0O0 or "a, Loo. 000
For thirteen miles II would DO about $26 400 900, OF
Ing 10 Commander selfridges estimate, the cost Of
tunnel and canal would be about slos, 5000,
Mr.. McDougnrs survey the expense would be
about $s7, $4,000 or eli, 100000 To complete
Tho sEr BY ns Of the Of
man, OF the United States Navy az well Mr.. Mo
Dougal up to tho point whence the canal would COM
mence, an estimate Of 500 900 or $500 900 would be
ample. Lieutenant Eastman ana Mr.. McDougal found
n channel the bar at low OF fifteen feet, of
sufficient width for ali practical purposes This depth
carried all the way up the river with sot muddy
bottom rhe rise Of the tide is sixteen feet SO
that what work has to be done is quite practicable and
inexpensive
EXPENSE OF THE WHOLE WORK.
With the enormous estimates which nave boon sug-
Sill, 100000 or f22 300 000 II may reasonably DO
hoped that II VIII not exceed 500 050, 900 or
ELS 0l0, 600 The question Is whether Seridgc's
guess at the length OF the tunnel required or Nc
Douglas survey 10 the most accurate and reliable The
larger figures well Is tho lesser have been gveH,
that the greatest difficulties be considered From
what has been SAID may be believed that looking at
the SUBJECT from most unfavorabe points of vew
from what positively know already, that less than
S1l2 900 900 ana less than years. would break
down the stupcndous barrier aud relieve the COM
merce OF the world. The probabilities of reduction OF
this time and expense have been alluded to. More
extended anu exhaustive surveys may show us easier
work still aud reduce the cost much below 500 900, 900,
tho probably truer estimate OF the two which have
been presented.
GREAT BRITAIN MAY IMMEDIATE ADVANTAGE.
The advantages OF tho canal would be principally and
Immediately reaped by Great Britain. In 1870 the ton
huge OF her commerce with the west coasts of North
and New Zealand amounted to over one million and
hal: Of tons, all OF which would nevl-
taoly pass through the canal The saving in time and
proportionate expense all Of this, by using the
canal instead OF the route by Cape Horn would be
measured by weeks ana months. Besides, the dangers
OF the Cape would be avoided, and the consequent In
suraDcc saved Moreover It must be remembered, that
from all parts OF Farther India, China, Japan aud
Australasia east Of Singapore ance to England
would be in much greater, aud in many less
than IRON those ports via Inc Suez Canal The navga
ton OF the Red sea is almost necessarily confined TO
steamers. But little intricate navigation is to be
countered by the Daren route. By FAR the greater
distance Is over the open ocean, and in favorable ntt
ports would follow this route necessarily, and add
Immensely to tho aggregate Of commerce. The
saving In time would IN no small degree restore
the equilibrium between time and expense
which has been seriously disturbed by the Suez Canal
Eastern cargoes in sailing ships would 60 In bulk ia
England and would retain their distribution her
hands. At present the economy in time By steamers
through the Red Sea aud Suez Canal rapidly over.
coming the economy In money by sailing ships by way
OF Cape aud the latter being driven from tho
trade.
THR ADVANTAGE OTHER NATIONS
The United States appear next In The list Of those
nations which would uso the canal In 1870 the ton.
mage employed IN commerce with the coast aud
other countries which would necessarily pass through
this route, was nearly one million IL is continuity
increasing. France aud Germany employed in the
year. respectively 146 600 ID the
same trade and withou trade which would
certany take this route between England and China
and other Eastern countries, havo an aggregate Of
nearly three millions OF tons when will pass through
the straits Adding the Anglo Chinese aud trades
and the full amount OF through annual traffic may
confidently expected 10 be no less than $1,000
less to enter into the details OF the value
OF this commerce A simple glance at the
distance time eve .sa mosev in sds
freight labor, insurance, wear and tear and various
other items Of commercial expense; and the canal
would pay corresponding toll Without doubt II
would be sellsupporting alter completion for but
little would be required TO keep 1t in repair.
now TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY CAPITAL.
To provide the necessary capital and the interest
thereon during construction various plans may be
suggested Perhaps i, would be as well that
and that the various governments OF nations princ
paiiy Interested should pay interest the amount
repaid by sinking fund or might remain to the credit
OF tue governments and paid by use oil the canal But
the uil consideration oil methods OF raising the capt.
tai may be safely lett for the present. We know the
maximum cost, but we do not know how much may
be reduced. What Is especially neodeo is an exhaus.
tive survey OF this the shortest and most direct route
from sea t0 sea. Full working drawings should be
prepared so that the extreme cost be accurately
ana positively determined. Notwithstanding all that
has been done by public and private expeditions the
examination OF this. probably tho very best
expensive for tho great work, amounts only to
reconnaissance. The examination should be
made in luIl force, the parties should
be fully supplied with ali Instruments,
from balloons or very elevated positions. fhe dense
underground OF the tropics, though extending over
comparatively small areas will often delay, bcwldei
and Iusload the best surveyors An Observation from
an elevated station or balloon would show tho d.
pfessions and elevations at glance, especially
short pe aud indicate the direction OF lines to be
examined. Tho appropriations should DO the mosi
liberal scale The officers should be especially selected.
The conduct should not DO lett exclusively TO sailors,
but the corps should include expert and practced
woodsmen, as well scientific engineers, ana tho
work should be continued until every foot Of the local
las bee n The enfa
prise Is developed.
WHY GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA SHOULD UNITE.
Tho British aud American governments are, as We
have seen, PARTICULAR. interested IL may 10 believed
that the time has arrived whom is the duty Of each
aud both 10 set seriously ~ work, at this pre-
limnary operation at least. and this not with
a view OF obtaining information Tor action ut come
time IN an indefinite future, out Tor Immediately and
positively commencing operations Expenses hitherto
have been triiing 30 trihins that everybody seems
TO have been trihlng with the subject. There not
record oil any expedition OF which tho expenses for this
purpose would amount to Gl0, 600 The importance OF
the work rendcrs the formation required worth mani
fold thai sum, and tho full amount necessary should
hc tlc0fu n nj tha onal