Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1881-04-27
the PANAMA. n

Oo AosccPs nos wv ~
from during the last few weeks, but that
10 NO sign that he has been idle. BY any
means. On the contrary. he has been
doing very active work in the way OF
preliminary surveys for the canal. having
about Ave hundred men employed in the
various details and duties connected With
the work. Surveying in that tropical
cline, where the whole country 10 COW
cred With Q dense forest and . thick.
heavy und~srsrowth. which can only Be
penetrated BY cutting paths and roads
through Il with a1ss, 10 NO easy or speedy
matter. For this reason the various
transit routes already known and other
possible routes have not been 20 thor
ouehly and completely surveyed ~ to
fully establish the easiest and most judi
cious point for the proposed tide water
canal from ocean TO ocean.
The Panama route 10 demonstrated to
be the most feasible for such . canal. and
the most judieious line OF location for
the easiest. most economical and per-
mansnt construction 10 nov what Do
Lssssps 10 ~sndsavoripg TO settle upon
before breaking ground in the actual
construction OF the canal. Many i'm
portant changes have already been made
from the original plan. and others are
being made. The whole project 10
rapidly assuming definite shape. and.
like our great transoontinsntsl railroad.
when practically commenced. will be
completed sooner than has been cal
culsisd upon. Latsst sdvices from the
Isthmus. under date Of April 9Th. bring
the following particulars OF interest:
CASTOR Blanchet. representing Messrs.
Couvreux i Hsrsent. contractors for the
building OF the canal. leaves Panama to.
day for New York. II. Blsnchet has
pushed his surveys and examination Of
the proposed route for the canal with
great vigor and earnestness for the last
two months. He has at present seven
teen brisades in the field. and has se-
cured reports covering the entire ground.
which are OF o most important character.
Data secured make II certain that the
estimates already made BY his house
are within reasonable limits. II would
appear that distance can be saved and
easier cutting secured by changing the
terminal point on each side the lsthmus.
The mouth Of the Mindi river 10 now
approved o. the entrance on the Allan
TIC, and the Rio Grande entrance on this
side will. II is said. be abandoned for
the small bay on the north side OF the
city, where the Panama Railroad wharf
10 situated. Two important considers.
tions counsel the latter change. 1t will
reduce BY one-half the submarine ex.
cavation required. while the formation
through which the land work will pass
IL much softer than that along the banks
OF the Rio Grapde. Accurate aud e.
haustivs surveys have definitely ixsd
these two particulars. On the Atlantic
Bluo y nhvihk " dAotohSV W ~
kilometres 10 effected BY the change pro-
posed there.
The Geological Bureau reports Q grsatei
and more uniform depth Of earth along
the entire line than vas supposed tc
exist. or than has been discovered 10
previous surveys. The result OF tbs
surveys so far has been very satisfactory
An immense amount Of work has beer
done and the field notes are now q
thoroughly worked up that working
plans. etc., can be arranged and every
thing prepared for work before the ma
chinsry Is ready. A central depot vii
be established Of Gatun. and the moutl
OF the river Chsgres dsepsned to ALLOW
tas passage Of vessels OF ordinsr.
draught to that point. Houses hsv'
arrived from New Orleans and New
York. and will be erected at diffsrsn
points ON the line for the use OF work
men, to serve a. hospitals, etc.