The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-05
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
The Location To be Made by May "details
of the Progress of the Surveys.

The Location To be Made by May "details
ofthe Progress of The Surveys.
Rivas Letter in New York Evening Post.
Chief Engineer Menocal of the Nicaragua
canal survey arrived here on the 4th inst The
sanal will be located from Brito TO Greytown
by May l. Mr. Menocal's arrival seems to have
intensified the feeling of confidence ia the COM
pletion of the canal, his connection with this
route dating back to the expedition of 1928.
On the 5th Mr.. Menocal visited the surveying
parties on the west side. Mr.. Perez and party
and section of another party. under Mr.
Holcomb, had fixed their camp at the junction
OF the Rio Grande and the brook Guachipilin
and had started the preliminary survey from q
point near by, Mr.. CereZ running towards Brito
and Mr. Holcomb toward the divide" These
parties had just arrived from the east side,
having finished their work the San Juan.
They were in excellent health and spirits. and
greatly interested in the work. They had al
ready run about five miles of axial preliminary
location and numerous offsets and cross sections
Mr. MenUcal went over the ground, and his
inspection satisfied him that the work had been
done with marked care and good judgment. and
that the developments were highly satisfac tory,
and confirmed with great precision his own
location Of 1880
On the eth instant, Mr.. Menocal again visited
the surveying parties and then proceeded to
Brito. where the hydrographic party. under
Lieutenant Maxwell. is pursuing its labors The
party, after fulfilling their instructions as to
work in Greytown harbor. had surveyed the
lake and river at Fort San Carlos, where the
San Juan leaves the lake. and also the shore
line at the mouth of the river Lsjos on the west
side. The strong trade winds had prevented
them from taking soundings off shore at Grey
town or on the west side of the lake. This work
will be done when the winds moderate.
Mr. Mepocal states that at Brito there is. at
the right OF the proposed harbor, an excellent
site for a pier and railway terminus With the
assistance Of steam lighters. material can DO
landed now with safety and comfort. as the
ocean 10 smooth. aud there 10 safe anchorage FOR
large vessels q short distance off shore. Close
soundines will be taken At the site of the pro-
posed pier, and soon the boring parties
can be transferred from the east side, careful
examination of the bottom will be made. In
the meantime the photographic party 10 taking
tidal observations and surveying the coast line
and surroundings and will remain at Brito un-
til the necessary soundngs can be made when
1t will return TO the mouth of the Lajos COM
pleie the work there and 90 thence to Fort San
Carlos and Greytown for the same purpose.
Upon leaving Brito. Mr. Menocal went with Mr..
Perez over the liue between La Flor and Brito.
There ietscarcely undulation of the surface be
tween these points. The valleys of the rivers lola
and Grauds were examined. with view to estab-
fishing the practicability of extending the level
of the lake to La Flor and converting that val
ley into basin as part of the lake. thus saving
about fye miles Of canal excavation. The
animation proved entirely satisfactory, the only
doubtful question being the amount and value
Of the land flooded. The great gain in time of
excavation. In cost, and in the facilities afforded
to navigation by such basin, cannot be over
estimated. After going over the field of opera
tons with Mr. Perez and Mr.. Holcomb. and
giving tho necessary instructions for carrying
|. on their work. Mr.. Mepoesl returned to Rivas,
whence he will start by the next lake steamer.
in day or two. for the San Juan river. where
he will meet Mr. Perry and the rest of the sur
veyine parties. Mr.. Menocal has just heard
from Mr.. Holcomb that at noon on the 9th his
party WAS within 2 900 feet Of the summit
running east. over . beautiful country. Mr..
Menocal speaks IN the highest terms of the
arduous and faithful service rendered By the
members of the expedition.