The Evening critic., 1885-04-08
The Railway from Snarsim 20 Berber

The Railway from SuaIgIm 60 Berber.
The most interesting engineering feat OF
modern times will bo the construction Of
the railway from Suakim to Berber. By
many this is deemed an impossibility, by
all 1t is thought to be exceedingly diff
cult. When it is recollected that 1t is TO be
laid over miles of arid desert, across which
blow the terrible wind storms which only
tho hardy camel can Withstand; that the
workmen will be continually assailed by
raiding bands of Arabs swooping down like
vulturos whenever opportunity presents;
that over eighty miles Of the railway will
be built across a mountain range where
heights must be scaled or narrow passes
where few bold warriors can successfully
oppose large numbers must be traversod,
and that when at length the entire line
is completed, a large army is necessary to
protect the railway-when all this is recol-
letted 1T can be seen that no ordinary oh.
slacles confront the projectors of the enter
Prise.
The construction of the Panama Railway
| in our own country resembles it somewhat
in the natural obstacles to be overcome, but
| the Panama Railway was built through a
comparatively friendly territory. Tho
workmen were not continually harrassed
by raiding savages Their greatest enemy
was the Chagres fever, which, it must be
admitted, took a man for every tic laid.
The English Government has given to
Messrs. Lucas & Laird of London the con-
tract for the railway. The contractors
have begun work with great energy and
have shown creditable degree of atten-
tion to details. On the 18th Of February
they received their orders,
Withina month of that date the material,
plant and rolling stock of every description,
with staff, gaugers and leading mon for
the laying down and completion of up
ward of one hundred miles of railway of
four feet eight and half inches gauge,
with fifty-six pound steel rails, were
shipped to Suskim, and the railway was
begun.
Up to tho present time eighteen vessels
have started from different ports for Sua-
kim, each vessel containing staff, men, and
material sufficient to lay down its por-
tion of the road News has been received
from Suakim that the construction of the
line has been actually begun, and that
the coolies sent from India have arrived
and begun to work with the native la
borers already engaged. 1t would be i'm
possible to give complete list of the
plant and materials required for the 100
miles of railway shipped, and of the out
fit aud other matters wanted for the stat
who have to superintend the construction,
and for the men who have to lay the road.
There has been shipped, as already stated,
| every thing required for the laying down OF
100 miles Of railway. In the first place, we
may put down 10000 tons Of 56.pound steel
rails for the main line and 2,470 tons ol
smaller rails for the gauge line and for the
temporary lines to carry materials all
these with fish plates and fastonings COM
| plete The sleepers necessary to carry these
rails are more than a quarter of million,
besides 600 tons of steel sleepers for the l
foot q inch gauge line. There are also IL
turntables. The rolling stock includes
four-wheel and 10 six-wheel locomotives fol
the main line and II locomotives for the
gauge line, and quantity of duplicate por
tions of engines in case of accident ant
there are six covers to protect the men from
shot and heat. The passenger traffic viii
be conducted in 6 saloon and 20 third clas
carriages, with 10 brake vans, while fol-
stores and ammunition are provided 25C
ballast trucks, to carry eight tons each and
upward of 300 trolleys aud wagons Fitted
to the foot 81 inch gauge also is double
tank water car of a capacity of 1000 gal
Ions, and there are six single tanks on
troleys.
Full apparatus for conveying fresh water
through pipes for 30 miles was also sent
For lighting six sets of electric light ap-
paratus are included. Six sets of tele
graphic apparatus % miles in each set
with alphabetical instruments and tele
phones complete, two spare sets of tele
graph and four spare sets of telephone in
struments were also furnished.
Omtting mention of the numerous item
included in the outfit, it may be einterestin!
to note that eleven water condensers
capable of producing over 10000 gallons o
water a day, are included.
Passing over all the rest of the items o
II similar nature, we come to the persona
requirements Of the men, and here it may
be interesting to set forth in full the ont
fit of a navy as provided by the contrac
tors Three flannel shirts lcolored) fou
pairs OF worsted half hose, two pairs O
drawers tkersey), one pea jacket, tw
pairs Of moleskin trousers, one blu
jersey, two pairs of laced boots, ono sill
necktle, one blue knitted cap, one sol
felt hat, one pith helmet, one canvas bal
one gray blanket, one ground sheet, on
mattress, one leather belt, two ilannC
belts, one spinal pad, one tin water bottl'
one pair of goggles, three iron plate
(enameled), one set of knife, fork an
spoon, one set Of brushes lhair clotht
and shoe, one one.gallon water hottl'
three iron basins enameledl, one iron mu
lenameled), three towels and one hool
pot. The men will occupy huts in smal
companies, and may, If they please, NEE
in large hut capable of holding 2j
men.
TIE Rev Dewitt Talmage Of No,
York has just been sitting down upon
Tennessee congregation. Mr.. TalmagO
/ IA