Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-24
THE GULF STREAM SAFE.
1t is i'm No Danger From the Panama
Canal scheme.

Canal Scheme.
| SO SAYS PROF. TAYLOR. OF THE SMITHSONIAN
HALF DOZEN CUTS ACROSS THE IsTHMrs COULD
NOT AFFECT THE GREAT CURRENT FROM TIRE
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF MAKING AN IN
| LAND SEA OUT OF THE SAHARA DESERT. ETC
Il see that an article in Lioyds Shipping CD
zeste on the probable climatic effect of cutting
the Panama canal and thus drverting the gulf
stream has occasioned considerable talk of late
SAID STAR reporter to Prot. Taylor. of the
| Smithsonian Institution. ''What do you think
of it," asked the scribe
| Il have not seen the article YOU refer to-"
was the reply, ''but l understand that vivid
| picture is drawn of reindeer being hunted on
the Riviera and walrus playing on the ice
| around uninhabited England. the transforma-
ZION to be effected by dverting the gulf stream
such thing is ridiculous on its face, and yet I
nave no doubt that the evident object of such
an article will be attained to a certain extent
that of influencing unthinking men who may be
powerful enough to throw obstacles in the way
vi completing the canal project. While have
not paid particular attention to the subject of
lhter-oceanic canals am satisfied that
HALF-DoZEN SUCH CANALS
as the proposed Panama canal will not affect the
course OF the gulf stream in the slightest de-
gree. The forces of nature are on too grand a
scale to be overturned by man in that ruthless
way. But look at the matter from a practical
point OF view, If the Panama canal is COM
pleted, 1t is ridiculous to suppose that an nsig-
nlflcant cut through the isthmus with its locks
TO chan@e the level and thereby preventing
current from ocean to ocean, could influence the
forces OF the gull stream. That stream is a
power IN Itself and its direction could not be
there nnnhStTnnfpl n
water from ocean to ocean. Suppose the canal
is not dependent upon any interior water sup
Ply, that there is no mountain backbone barring
the way, and that without any obstruction il is
maze as wide as the Mississippi with a steady
current from one ocean 10 the other such cur
rent could be but sluggish and narrow one and
perfectly insignificant in comparison with the
powerful gulf stream whose course it is sup
posed to divert. In addition if would be well
10 notice That the location of the canal is not in
very close proximity to the main gulf stream
Iact which would befatal TO the theory advanced
and besides the depth of the canal compared
with that of the gulf makes it Impossible
Tor the latter to be affected by the former
But, as said, half-dozen such canals would
not make any difference. and there will be that
many canals in that vicinity. eventually: there is
no doubt OF that. Mans progressive instinct is
TOO active to be satisfied with sailing clear
around South America when there are SO many
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CROSS CUTS.
q
principal question was its location. but now al
most any location will answer so that the con-
nection is satisfactory. SO it will be with the
canals. The first one constructed will do an inn
mense amount of work. but it will not suffice
and Others will necessarily follow. and more
than one opportunity for cross cut will be util-
lied. But in taking advantage Of these oppor-
tunities man cannot change the forces of nature
Take the greatest scientific and engineering
works Of the world and compare them with
those forces, and they will appear utterly insig-
rlhcant. II the comparison could be pictured
on globe it would take a microscope to dis
cover mans work The pyramids. the tunnel OF
the Alps, the Suez canal, the sub marine cables,
the Washington Monument, and even the pro-
posed great sea in the desert of SahaSa, would
be as nothing in comparison with the works of
nature which could be affected by them in the
merest insignificant degree. A bucket of water
thrown in the ocean would have about the same
effect on that body as mans works upon the
forces OF nature"
THE SAHARA LAKE.
"Speaking of the desert lake. do you think
such project practicable?" asked The STAR
man.
Il have no doubt of its practicability." was
the reply, land am OF the opinion that it will be
all accomplished fact some day. Why not?
The interior lake would be fed by the Mediter-
ranean sea, whose level would not be changed
for it is maintained by the ocean,"
Would not the absorption of the water by
the desert sands and by evaporation prevent
lake being established" asked the reporter
Undoubtedly it would for while" was the
reply. "A good bottom would be ultimately Sc
cured and the immense amount Ofwater absorbed
by the sands would sink to bed rock and then
distribute itself in every direction. and perhaps
be the means OF retaining an immense amount
OF arid land, thus attaining one of the prime pro-
jects of such a lake. Evaporation would I'M
douotedIy be an Important factor in the con-
struction of the lake 1t would have a good
deal of local effect, and like the absorption by
the sands, would, perhaps be benefit in the
end.
The dry. hot air would then be laden with
moisture, and rains for miles around might re-
suit.
The amount of evaporation would depend
upon the area of the lake. of course aud it
would be very nice Typographical problem to
find what its area will be before it attains an
approximate level with the sea. The evapora-
ton would be an increasing quantity while the
supply would diminish At first the former
would be very inconsderabe. but as the lake
neared the level of the sea. thus extending it's
area, the evaporation would be on the increase.
For the same reason the supply from the sea
would diminish, and the flow become more
sluggish. There would be. Of course sta
tionary point where the two would balance each
other. Then the lake would retain its size and
have an inexhaustible supply from the sea-
The Sahara desert was. without question, once
an inland lake. fed from the sea- In some way
or other the supply was cut off. and the lake
eventually disappeared, leaving e'dry burning
sands'
How would the bottom OF the lake be
formed?" inquired the reporter.
1T would form itself" was the reply. .'The
Waterfront the seawould carry with 1t more or less
sediment. and in being filtered through the sands
the sedim ent would eventually fill up the filter
as it were. and good Shiny bottom would be
thus formed. | don't look for any active steps
in that direction, however. at present. The
effort to open up to the world the resources of
the Congo country may bring strong influence
to bear upon this subject" continued the pro-
fesssor. LAS France has immense possessions
in the northern part of Africa it will probably
fall to her lot to make the attempt to construct
lake in the Sahara. but the question of the
rights of other countries will have to be
settled first, and it may be many years before
anything is done. As ] said. such a scheme
does not seem impracticable." concluded the
professor.
Plants in bedrooms.
From the London Globe.
The controversy as to keeping live plants in
room at night continues to be carried on with
vigor and acrimony. although most people have
probably supposed that it was long since set at