Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-09-04
From Sea to Sea.
The Inter-Oceanic Problem
Thoroughly Discussed
by Prof. CarthelI.
A Ship Railway Given Prefer
ence to a Ship Canal.

ANN ARBoR, Mich, Sept. 2 -The
following is an abstract of the address
by Capt. Charthel1 on the Inter
Oceanic problem and its scientific
solution at the meeting of the social
science convention in this city.
As the accomplishment of science
increase its requirements, most
serious obstacles have been
overcome. all except this one
that lies in TIE center of the
world narrow neck of land uniting
two continents and allowing no pas
sage. All interests and free inter
change Of commerce is seriously ham
pered by this Inter Oceanic problem.
The great expense of trans-shIp>
ment excludes the extensive use of
ordinary railroads. Cereals on the
Pacific, and other products, agricul-
tlral and manufactured, traverse
long and expensive routes to market.
Our manufacturers who turn out over
five billion dollars worth annually,
and exporting only two per cent,
cannot participate in the two billions
worth Of trade in the far Pacific coun-
tries. The American isthmus has
been considered for four centuries. 1t
has been examined, surveyed and
plans made, but nothing has ever
resulted.
THERE ARE THREE ROUTES,
Panama. Nicaragua and Tehuantepec.
Assuming the practicability of the
last, its advantages will be acknowl>
edged. Its commercial advantages
are evidenced by the facts that it is
nearer the axial line of production
passing through Hong Kong, San
Francisco, New York and Liverpool,
and that its nautical conditions are
much more favorable. The true sci
entiflc method is that which transfers
ships from ocean to ocean the most
promptly and economically. This
method is the ship railway.
Its details embrace the lifting dock
with a system of hydraulic rams, so
arranged as to hold up and perfectly
distribute the weight of vessels, and
regulated a system of carriage supports
to be placed under the vessels hulls.
The road bed to be built of materials
to be found along the whole length of
the railway, the superstructure to be
long steel ties on which will be laid
heavy steel rails, weighing about one
hundred pounds per lineal yard.
POWERFUL LOCOMOTIVES
weighing 102 net tons with a capacity
of $500 gross tons on the level AID
will haul the slips across the isthmus.
Three of these will have a maximum
load of $3.50 tons at Is miles an hour
on grades up to 30 feet to the mile.
The abrupt changes in the direction of
tie road made necessary by follow
ing the valleys are accomplished
by floating turntables. The harbors
at both ends of the road are com
modious and excellent The large
number of experts who examined the
plans testify to its prscticabillty and
economy.
The time has passed for proving the
feast aillty of the method. Its supe
rior economy in construction and oper
alton is the next subject to be consld-
cred. Ordinary canals and railroads
have been tried, the latter being sup
erior in economy and despatch.
THE SUPERIOR METHOD.
In the ship canals and ship railways
the difference in favor of the latter is
greater. Historical examination of
actual cost of moving freight by canal
and railroad shows that the latter is
far in advance of the former. In
economy and in question of time
! there is still greater difference.
The carrying out of the tendencies
evident in the cost of railroad
transportation, and instead of the
average load of fifteen tons, or thirty
for the maximum and moving on two
rails, put on eighteen tons and
moving on six rails and with greatly
concentrated motive power, freight
will be hauled for two tenths of a mill
per ton. The difference in speed
would be from one to two miles on
a ship canal 10 ten miles on ship
railway. The expense of Transports
ton by canal is five times that of a
railroad. Its strategic advantages are
important and obvious. 10000 600
tons of freight are in sight for trans
portation over the railway in 1889,
The railway can be built and equip
ped in four years time. $4,000, 900
in cash will complete everything
ready for business.
The estimate in stock and bonds,
allowing for all possible contingen-
cies, is $75, 900, 0o0 Even with only
100000 tons, the net profit would
be 144 per cent. The beneficial results
cannot be over estimated. The adj
dress, printed in full, Is illustrated by
plates of plans and maps of the world
and the isthmus.