The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-05-27
THE PROJECTED INLAND SEA IN THE
SAHARA

THE PROJECTED INLAND SEA IN THi
| SAH4RA.
The Transformation of part of the AL.
| gerian Sapara into a vast land locked
| basin fed by the Mediterranean is now
shown to be entirely feasible. Such doubts
ss nave been cast upon the scheme by Ger
msn geographers and engineers are no
longer tenable in view of the researches at
length completed by the French Govern
menI in the territory of Tunis, and of
"nicn an interesting account has Just been
published by Capt. Roudaire, the officer
employed in these surveys and the author
of this notable project.
1t bad been previously demonstrated on
typographical and geological grounds, as
well as oy the concurrent testimony of an
cient authors and oral tradition, that tbese
so-called basin of the chotts once commupi
Gated with the Mediterranean, and consti-
tuted an iaterior gulf known as the Great
Bay OF Triton, but that this reservoir had
DRIED up toward the beginning of the
christian era, after the formation of an
lsthmus which cut it off from the sea.
Capt. Roudaire had suggested that bv
piercing the dunes at this point it would
DC possible to inundate anew the immense
plains now covered with saline deposits
the so called chotts-and create an inland
lake some two hundred miles in length.
with an average breadth of forty miles and
oSPOh 0A UWCEIy-bl4 Y8ru6s A
geometrical survey of the Algerian chotts,
executed in 1874 and 1875, under the aus
pices of the Governor General, confirmed,
as lar as they went, these calculations |
put In order to determine the practical |
value OF scheme which provoked vebe-
nent discussion, it became necessary to
push the Investigations into the Tunisian
territory, and connect the fragmentary
studies.
The most weighty objection had been
me alleged existence of hard rocks in the
sthmus of Gabes which would render it
extremely difficult and costly to cut it.
capt. Roudaire, hewever, has discovered
hat, while ridges of limestone are eucoun
cred along much of the coast line, there is
10 trace of them in the deepest depression
Vhich represents the old channel between
he gulf and tie sea.
The istL@Is of Gabes, whose cleaving is !
he Key of the undertaking, is only twelve
niles broad, and its highest ridge is less ;
ban hfty yards above the level Of the
led1terranean. So far as it could be pro5ed J
y the French engineers, it consists wholly
sand, and therefore offers, as we have
ald' no serious barrier. 1t is estimated
lat only twenty millions of cubic yards
ouid require to be displaced for the pre- I
mlnary hssure, since the inburst of the
"a can be relied upon for the subsequent
alargement. To execute the initial trench
nd the supplemental cuttings between the
PoL0to chottS 1t lS computed CDaG an eX
enditure of five to six million dollars will
ltice. The complete filing of the L
ew bay will exact about nine years, but
ON the fourth year the several basins
i'll be covered with broad sheets of water
avigable by vessels Of small draught. d
The creation of an inland sea in this
art of northern Africa is now most prob -
Die, and we need not dwell on the obvious
suits. We may name, however, a pro-
und amelioration in the climate of Alge-
q and Tunis, and consequent increase
agricultural wealth in those countries
hose present aridity has in large measure
ustrated the traditional fertility of the =
ii. The new water way, moreover will
nd security to the French colony, Sc we'll
cheap and eaey means of transit, thus
domestic commerce and indus
y, and imparting, it may be, new direc-
1n to the trade of central Africa. We
ay add that the necessary outlay would
obably be met by tolls and customs, by
Q concession of fishing rights, and by the
le of lands now worthless, but which, aa
riding the future sea, would be restored (
tillage. From whatever point of view
is remarkable project s considered, the
ench seem to be justified in regarding it AZ
the fit seal to their conquest of Algiere.
TE AGE OF dEROISM NOT PASSED.