New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-08
THE FLORIDI C.lNAL.

Its not generally known that one of the most ac-
complshcd engineers in the service OF the Govern
meut has recently been making n preliminary sur
vcv OF tho peninsula Of Florida with view to the
construction Of a ship-canal from st. Marys River
10 the Gulf Of Mexico. The results are given with
ciearuess and ds.inctuess in a report to the Secro
tary of War, which was submitted to Congress
during the closing weeks of the session.
We refer to the report not only because 1t
deals with a matter of National Importance.
but also because NeW-lOrk merchants have direct
interest in this projected waterway. They know
already that Captain Eads has opened the gates OF
the Mississippi but few of them realize that if the
improvements now going on in the Northwest are
not suspended by Congress it Will not be many
years before vessels are loaded with grain almost on
the borders Of Lake Michigan aud sent by wafer TO
New-Orlesns. Suppose now that this grain is
transferred to fast vessels by system of elevators
similar to those III use at Buffalo and Chicago. and
suppose, further, that the detour around Key West
is avoided by the emitting of this canal to the ST..
Mary's River. is it not foregone conclusion that
the Mississippi route will become formidable rival
to the lake and canal route to New-Tork
General Gilmore does not think the Florida CanA
will be built, but he was directed to go over the
ground in person, and he has made as complete a
survey as the comparatively small sum allotted for
the work permitted Still he regards the
examination only preliminary and sug-
gcsts that much additional information
will have 70 be collected and numerous groups
Of shafts sunk in the swamps before the canal can
be located and reasonably exact estimate of Its
cost prepared lie is not positive that the ST. Mary
River is superior to the Satlla for purposes
of Improvement for ship navigation, and recon-
mends an examination of the Gulf coast in order
a. 4ho lac. sit for rtt rborn n he
selected The great length of the line and the diff
cutes of access to intermediate localities have
dered it impossible for him to trace with any degree
of accuracy the most available route between ocean
and gulf 1t is scarcely necessary, therefore, to
slider the preliminary and alternative routes in de-
tail.
The length Of the canal route which General
Gilmore fayors is about 100 statute miles.
including ship canal of 122 miles, with
thirty-four miles of river navigation and
thirteen miles OF deeper water from bar to mouth of
the ST. Marys and, on the other side. the entrance
to the Gulf. The lowest estimate of the cost Is
$50 OOO.0 900. The calculations for water supply
are based upon n cross section of canal so feet
wide at bottom and % feet deep with water
surface so feet III width The section adopted has
greater width at bottom and a depth and surface
width somewhat less than that recommended by the
technical subcommittee of the Paris Congress for
the Panama Canal. The ascent from the St.
Marys is made by of seven lift-lOcks each >
feet TO the summit level. 10S feet above level.
Inland there are two locks. each of 10 feet lift and
the level of the Gulf is reached by five locks of 10
feet, and one of 10 feet From the mouth of tho
canal to the deep water of the Gulf channel will
have to be excavated aud protected by jettes
There is an alternative project, by which the
Suwanee River Is used as a reservoir without any
material saving in expense.
The principal benefits to be derived from the
construction of the canal across Florida fully
considered IN General Glmores report. The route
from Ncw-Orleans to New-York will be shortened
497 miles; that from New-Oreans TO Liverpool.
4l2 miles. The voyage OF q steamer of average
speed would be shortened half day, while the gain
for sailing vessels would be considerably larger The
most liberal estimate of the amount saved in the con-
SUMPTION OF coal and in ordinary running expenses il
S2G6 so. On this basis the tonnage dues through
the canal would have to be made exceedingly light
| in order to attract business. The dangers OF the
| passage through the Florida Straits must also bt
| taken into account, although the reduction il
freight charges and insurance cannot be closely es
| mated. The calculation that 1894, 900 could hav,
been saved IN floating property If the canal haC
been in operation during the five years ending June
80, 1879, bears upon this point Of marine losses
The question OF canal tolls is discussed in tho repor
ut length and with ability. The conclusion reached
Is that II the registered tonnage be adopted on thu
basis of toll charges weasel Of 900 tons measure
| nent could DO charged two-thirds Of ~ cents. o