The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-11-15
THE N1oARAauA CANAL pELusIoN.


canal at Nicaragua connecting the two
oceans, recalls to mind previous legisla-
ton on the same project. In the fall of
1884 the promoters of the Nicaragua
canal scheme tried to get the United
States to enter into an agreement with
the Government of Nicaragua. A treaty
was blocked out and submitted to Con
gress. This treaty provided for the ced-
ing to the United States by the Govern
ment of Nicaragua strip Of land six
miles wide from ocean to ocean. In re-
turn the United States was to construct |
canal of such character as to meet |
the demands of commerce. Nicaragua |
was to receive one half the tolls levied, |
but the control and ownership was to be |
vested in the United States. Investiga- |
ton showed the proposed treaty would |
violate the Clayton-Bulwer treaty OF
1850, According to that treaty both the |
United States and England agreed not |
to exercise dominion over Central Amer |
lea. The question then resolved itself
into whether the United States should |
ratify the treaty, run the risk of foreign |
complications ard assume the expense |
OF building and maintaining the canal,
or reject it and permit some foreign
power other than England, to reap the
proposed benefits of the scheme. After
some wrangling the treaty was rejected
and those backing the enterprise re-
tired defeated after spending a load of
money in lobbying.
But far from being discouraged the
Nicaragua fellows possessed themselves
in patience and very quietly came to
Montpelier to get their company incor-
porated. Thus far the Legislature has
bitten at the bait very greedily. But
before final action is taken it is hoped
that the Legislature will give this mat
ter the close attention which its import
ance demands.
There are now three plans for short
euing the water rUute to the Pacific by
way of Central American. These are
the Nicaragua and Panama canals and
Capt. Eads ship railway. Upon a close
examination Of the Nicaragua scheme
serious obstacles to the successful carry
ing out of the plan, appear.
First at Greytown, the Eastern port of
the proposed canal, the barbor is totally
unfit for the purpose it is designed to
serve. Sand bars and shoals have shut
out vessels of large tonnage. When large
vessels stop at Greytown, they have to
anchor outside the harbor proper. Years
ago the harbor was a good one and ad-
mitted the largest vessels, but earth
quakes and total lack of dredging have
rendered it almost worthless. The cost
of dredging, so as to make the harbor
available as the Eastern port of the pro-
posed canal, would be immense. The
route Uid. the Nicaragua canal is 500
miles farther North than by the Panama
canal. At Panama the situation seems
almost hopeless. Millions have been ex
pended and still there is no canal. The
most serious obstacle to success is the
Chagres River, During the rainy sea-
son the Chagres oyerhows it's bank in
undating the country for miles. The
Panama railroad is submerged IN this
season and all traffic stopped. The Pan
anna canal, as laid out by DeLesseps,
follows the Chagres River for considera-
BILE distances and Is so near to it that
when the river overlooked its banks the
canal would be rendered useless until
the water subsidized. Then another thing
against the Nicaragua and Panama ca
mails is the fact that they both are in the
region of the Gains. While this would
make no material difference to steamers,
it would be serious matter with sail
ing vessels.
Perhaps the best thing that has been
introduced for connecting the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans is the Ship Railway
of the late Capt Eads. This plan be-
cause novelty has not received the at
tention which it deserves. Capt. Eads
proposed to run his Ship Railway across
the Northern part of Mexico,a the 18TH
mus of Tehauntepec. In 1881 he OBJ
tanned grant of land and guarantee of
protection from the MEXICAN Govern
ment sufficient for the purposes of his
plan. The location of the Eads' railway
is 1000 miles farther North than Nicara-
qua and more than 1900 miles North OF
Panama. Thus the route by Capt. Eads'
railway in trip to California Is 2000 to
5000 miles shorter than by either canal.
Another thing in favor Of the Ship Rail
way is that the harbors at both ends Of
the proposed Eads' railway are in condi
ton to receive large vessels, and very
little III Gdg ing will render the q 6OUu
as any in the world.
The Elds' syetem is at once novel and
practicable. By system of floating
docks at each end of the line the ships
are floated. In each dock is "cradle"
which, after the vessel is floated lis raised
by powerful pumps. When the vessel is
on an elevation equal with the road bed
the engines, three double, are attached
and in 16 hours the 1870 miles are cover
ed, the vessel put into the dock at the
other end and the transfer effected. Be-
tween the two oceans are floating turn
tables with "turnouts" 80 that two YES
sells may pass each other on the route
without delay. The "turnouts" are so
arranged that vessel may be run on a
siding and any repairs needed may be
made, thus saying the trouble of going
into dock for repairs. The plan of Capt
EAds has been highly spoken of by engi-
neers In America and Europe. The route
to California from New York is 10000
miles long around the Cape; but by the
proposed Eads railway it would be less
than 5000.
The Ship Railway is certainly more
practicable than the Nicaragua canal
which when completed may be worth
less. The Legislature of Vermont would
better consider the Esds railway than to
plung pell neil into the Nicaragua canal
scheme. The fact that Congress repudi
ated the plan four years ago should be
sufficient to drive its promoters in Mont
pelier back to their lairs. II the Nicara-
qua canal scheme is not good enough
for Congress it certainly will not do for
/ tho Stafa nj Varnnnt