New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-12
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
ACROSS THE fSTHMUS.
A NOVEL PLAN FOR WATER COMMUNICATION sue
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

! GEsTED.
! To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SRi The Congress Of scientific men re-
Gently assembled in Paris discuss the question OF in
terOceanc communication through the narrow neck o.
land which divides the two American continents, finally
settled upon the plan Of canal without Iiftocks along
or near 20 the line OF the Panama Railway the most
desirable Of all plans which submitted to them. In
the hopes and expectation OF the American delega
ton were sadly disappointed N1tsatsfed with the de-
cson Of the Congress and the proceedings OF The dstin-
gushed gentleman who is at head Of The enterprise
public opinion in this country is awakening % the ne
cessity OF a more complete examination Of the Nicara-
gua Panama and other routes, before giving It's sane
ton any partIcular Of them. Therefore the time
is propitious for presenting a plan OF Transporting
and other vessels from 10 superior
to any hitherto proposed canal or marine railway.
To those who have intimate personal knowledge OF
the very great physical difficulties 70 be overcome or
guarded against in the prosecution Of the work for
canal marine railway, there seems % be no feasible
solution Of the problems involved without such an
enormous expenditure OF money 90 make 10 a com
mercia failure. The consideration OF the excessive
rainfall alone should be enough 60 deter the most enthu
person from the adoption Of the Les,eVs plan Of
canal across the Isthmus OF Panama At certain peri
DDS Of the year. within limit oil twenty-four to thirty
six hours in the narrow and irregular valleys OF that
route, a food will take place which rises 10 height OF
sixty seventy feet above the normal level OF the
streams the lines Of which the nal must be ear
RED To attempt defend canal from the destructive
effect OF the terrible rams would involve outlay Of
capital great and with lttle promise Or success
that the work would huve 10 be abandoned and some
/ other plan OF crossing adopted.
Alter years Of observation and attentive study Of the
subject upon the field OF contemplated operations,
have arrived at the conclusion that the surest cheap
ESD and expeditions OF crossing she lsthmus
with steamers OF the largest class Is by elevated
trough aqueduct carried along the line OF the Pan
Railway high enough TO Dee above on dangers from
floods ana other surface objections. For example. the
summit eyei Of the Panama Railway is 264 feet above
the propose 20 erect iron or steel trough, OF
suitable section 100 feet nigh more or less extending
Colon side 90 Panama on the other, 10 points
Of contact with tine dividing Corllera and connect me
ends by through tine summit. This cut VIII DE lb4
feet deep, measured from tue highest level. The adj
Joining slopes extending upward from each side Of iuc
cut 10 superior elevations Will furnish an abundant
supply all tine Iu-rtrs aud egresS 10 anu
fIU the trough "a provided FOR uy methods well known
| 10 engineering skill
Professional friends, engineers u we@sabi-hed rep
urdIOu, have assisted me in the uye,tiEauOnS OF lhe
mechanical questions which dt once present themselves
ike this, and they nave al given very satlstac
tory answers and their entire appreciation Of the geu-
| eral plan Of executing the work. detailed eXpiuua-
ton Of the proposed trough OF aqueduct the summit
cutting the means OF hitting vessels from the level
with drawings. etc. be- u 5ued az short notice 10
persons who may dcsrIus ~ seriously entertaining
THIS for crossing the Isthmus, upon Application
/ 10 tine undersigned. Yours, :. p GRIFFIN.
| No. los JOrgtsmOn-st., brooklyn, Aug. 10, 1879.