The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1879-09-13
YUMA, ARIZONA, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER f3 1879

Commander Lull and Dir. Menocal
therefore proposed to cross it by a
viaduct, which was TO be at the
summit level with the canal.
There are many other difficulties
from small rivers and ravines, and
in crossing the large swamps
back of Aspinwail, 80 that the
total cost OF the canal amounted to
! $94, ,511, 1866, and be it understood
that the calculations of this esti-
mate were all based on actual
measurements.
M. DeLesseps throws all this
aside, and in his Office III Paris
decides on a straight cut, with Or
with out tunnel, as the case might
require. When the route; was
discussed at the Paris Congress,
the attention Of the followers of
Lesseps was called to. the difficult
ties of the route, and specially to
chat of crossing the Chagres'
Many Objectionable plans were
submitted to overcome this diff
ticulty, the last one being the
turning of the Chagres into
another bed. This of course
would entail an enormous
expense, as it would be equiv
alent to digging 3 second canal
for over half the way, there being
no valley into which the river
could be turned. The only an
swer given to our commissioners
10 all these objections was "The
cost is matter for after consider
alton. Mr.. Lesseps will be able
to raise any amount of money" "
The only advantage this route
has over that of Nicaragua are
! shortness and better harbora
But in spite Of the greater length
of the aforementioned route, It's
estimated cost is only 500, 722, 1877,
or nearly 20 millions less than
i. that OF the prouosed Panama
Canal. In this case the estimates
are also based on actual measure
ments, and according to the same
prices of labor, material, etc, as
used in the calculations of the
Panama route.
The problem In Nicaragua is
comparatively easy of solution
In the first place nature has pro-
vided a reservoir in the Lake of
Nicaragua, which is 109 feet
above the level of the oceans and
has surface of 200 square miles.
Owing to the fact that nearly
all the large rivers of the Eastern
watershed empty into this lake,
its outlet, the San Juan river. Is
not subject to heavy freshets du-
ring the rainy season, and for
that reason the first IS miles after
leaving the lake can be used as
the canal, by building a few dams
and locks around the rapids.
The remaining 45 miles to the
ocean have to he an inland canal
but the ground through which it
is to be built is extremely favor
able,for the purpose.
The great difficulty OF this
route is on the west side Of the
lake, where the divide As to be
crossed. A good route was found
however, requiring an average
cutting of only 81 feet for dis
tance of 5S miles, and the remain
ing 6.75 miles are used for placing
the ten locks required for the de-
scent to Brito, the proposed ter
minus on the Pacific side.
The improvements of the har-
Dor Of Greytown and Brito can be
\ easily effected, and the expense
is included in the estimate given
above.
Besides greater practicablllty
this route has the advantage OF
opening a beautiful end fertile
country close to the United States
The lake itself is fine fresh wa
ter harbor where vessels couio