Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-08-29
inter OCEANIC PROBLEM
And lts Scientific Solution Dl.!
cusssd at Ann Arhor.
THE TRUE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Explained BY Captain corhell--.The Ad.
vantage Of Ship Railway Over
Ship Canal.
HOW WE MISS THE PACIFIC TRADE.

Ann ARBoR, MIeH.. August 28.-Follow-
ing is An abstract Of the address BY Capt.
Corthell on the Inter-oceanic problem and
its scientific solution: The accomplish.
ments Of science increased it, requirements.
The most serious Obstacles have been over.
come. All except this one that lies in the
centre Of the world, narrow neck Of land
uniting two continents and allowing no
passage All interests and free interchange
Of commerce is seriously hAmpered By
this interoceanic problem. The
great expense Of transhipment excludes
the extensive use Of ordinary railroads.
Cereals of the Pacific and other products
and manufactures, travened long and ex.
pensive routes to markets. Our mAnufac-
turers, who were out over 5000, ,000, 900
worth annually, exporting only two per
cert cannot participate in two billions
worth OF trade in for Pacific countries.
The American isthmus has been considered
for four centuries 1t has been examined,
surveyed, plans made and projected. but
nothing resulted.
There are three routes: Panama, Nisa-
ragua and Tehultepec. Assuming the
practicability OF the last its advantages will
be acknowledged. Its commercial advAn-
sCes are evidenced by the facts that il 10
nearer the axial line Of productions passing
through Hong Kong, San Francisco. Nes
York and Liverpool, and its nautical condi-
tons are much more favorable.
Tho True Scientific Method
is that which transfer ships which cross
from ocean to ocean most promptly aud
economically. This is the method o. ship
railway. Its details embrace the lfting
dock with system Of hydraulic rams 90 ar.
raDgedis TO hold up and perfectly distribute
the weight OF vessels and regulated sys'
tenn Of carriage supports 10 be placed uudsr
vessels halls. The road bed Ia to be bailt
Of materials to be found along the whole
length OF the railway superstructurs to b
long steel ties, on which will be laid heavy
steel rails weighing about 100 pounds
per lineal yard. Powerful locomotives,
weighing lO2 net tons, with . capacity Of
$500 gross tons on level, will haul ships
across the Isthmus. Three OF these viii
haul maximum load OF 565,00 tons at
fifteen miles an hour on grades up to twenty
feet to the mile. Abrupt changes In the
direction Of the road made necessary b.
following valleys are accomplished BY means
OF floating turntables Hsrbors are com
modious and excellent at both ends
OF the road. A large mum
Der Of experts who examined plans
testify to its practicability and economy.
Its superior economy In construction And
operation is the next subject 10 be cousidcr.
ed. In ship canals aud ship railways .
difference In favor Of the latter 10 greater.
The carrying out tendencies evident in the
cost Of railroad transportation, and instead
Of the average loed OF fifteen tons or thirty
for maximum moving on two rails put on
1900 tons, the moving on SIX rails, and
with great concentrated motive powers
freight will be hauled for twotenths mill
per ton Difference in speed woold be one
10 two miles or ship canal TO ten miles
on q ship railway.