The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-01-16
Fernandina Mirror, Jaruary 81
Atlantic and Mexican Gulf Canal.

The success OF the Suez Canal has revived
public interest in the construction of canals to
shorten long sea routes When the gold mines
of California were discovered 1t required an over
land journey of 1900 miles, or a sea voyage of
six months. Then came the Panama Railroad
then the Pacific Railroad, and now comes the
Panama Canal project.
canal across Florida was discussed more
than fifty years ago, and government survey
made by Lieutenant Colonel Perraulf of the
United States Engineer Corps. Several surveys
have since been made, the last being that made
under the direction of General Gilmore in 1879
The line OF that survey was from the mouth of
the ST. Marys river 10 the Gull at St. Marks and
the alternative route 10 point between Cedar
Key and ST. Marks
The surveys which have been made at differ
ent points showed that the interior of the PENN
sula had an elevation of about 200 feet in the
neighborhood Of Trail Ridge, Starke and Waldo
at Trail Ridge the elevation being 210 feet.
On the line surveyed by General Gilmore
summit level was fonnd in the Okeefenokee
Swamp, at an elevation of 100 feet with a level
seventy four miles in length, along the valley
formed by the Suwannee river, that summit level
terminating near Elavie, at distance of FORTY
eight miles from the Gulf
As "A tidal canal at uniform level from the
Atlantic TO the Gulf is shown TO be out of the
question and locks will be necessary it was
matter OF prime importance to find at the summit
level body of water sufficient 10 act as a feeder
TO the canal at all seasons Of the year This
condition seems TO have been fully met by the
Okeefenokee swamp, which is 393 miles long
and 253 miles wide and receives the drainage of
some 900 square miles A branch of the St.
Marys river runs from il on the east and the
source of the Snwannee river on the west.
This line is shown by the surveys, it is claimed
to be the lowest summit level between the At
lantic and the Gulf north of latitude 30 degs
The intention Of this canal is to open a con-
necton with the Mississippi river through the
various inland waters and sounds via Lake Pom.
charirain, Mississippi sound, Mobile and Bon
secour bays, Perdido and Pensacola bays, Santa
Rosa sound, ST. Georges sound, etc. which will
be secure and open at all seasons of the year, so
that the grain trade barges which descend the
Mississippi may be discharged at the most
suitable harbors on the Atlantic coast
The conception Is a very grand one and the
estimated cost OF such barge canal being less
than ten millions of dollars. is far below the cost
of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, built 10 ad-
vance the interests of a single city.
Ten millions of dollars is comparatively
small sum considering the magnitude of the OBJ
jects intended 10 be accomplished
Capitalists only require to be satisfied of the
value a any proposed work of public improve
ment and the means are forthcoming Water
transportation is the cheapest known mode of
transportation. Barges, towed by tugs, have
proved, for inland waters, the cheapest system
of moving heavy freights.
a canal across Florida would not only heapen
the actual cost OF transportation of the immense
grain products of the West, but during the whole
OF the winter season would have practically
monopoly of this carrying trade
The saving of a distance of 600 miles in the
length OF The water route would, of itself, be an
object Of paramount importance; but when. in
addition to this, dangerous voyage is avoided
1t would seem that the construction of canal
across Florida would certainly occupy the atten-
ton of capitalists.
a company has already been chartered by the
State of Georgia, at the head of which stand the
names OF General JOS E. Johnston, General Nc
Laws and others. chartered as the Atlantic and
Gulf Canal Company. This company will, of
course, need recognition by the Legislature of
FLORIDA The time seems favorable for the in
ceptlon OF this work, and Florida can well afford
10 charter any companies which will undertake
or both.