Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-08
ADMIRAL AMMEN,S TRIP.
Incidents and Observations Along the
Route Of the Nicaragua Canal.

Admiral Ammen writing from Rivas, the
western exit of Lake Nicaragua, to the Balti-
more Sun says:
Rivas lies some five miles north and west
OF the mouth OF the river Lajas, the point of
entrance to the projected canal. To the
northward and at that point is trap rock. which
will require blasting and removal one-third of
mile from the shore. The surf of the lake
forms bulkhead of sand across the mouth of
the so-called river, and thence the traveller
may pass along without hillock to pass
over until he reaches 1.-The divide" some seven
miles from the lake. and then he stands only
40 feet above the lake. Bearing in mind what
has been said of the region leading into the
lake, by ascending the river l was almost
willing to agree to the assertion of an old and
able railroad constructor, who said to me that
mature had almost made the canal: all that 1t
required was that men should do little
scratching" 1t is of course an exaggerated
expression, but much nearer the truth than
those who have not examined the Engineering
News OF September IA, 1889, will be disposed
to believe.
AS the readers of that paper know. light
work requiring only little excavation is
necessary after passing 1.-THE divide" The
waters of the lake are held at level to within
less than three miles of Brito, an indentation
that can readily and at a not inconsiderable cost
e
dam II magnificent inland basin more than five
miles in length reaching up to Los Cerdas, the
head of the basin. In the future, instead of a
rough landing. Rivas will have a smooth one a
mile nearer, within the canal; the Cola basin
will have its port. and the highlands of Los
Cerdas will be covered with hotels or residences
and these waters and hooks be the favorite re-
sorts of the yachts of all nations, especially
during our winter season.
A few days ago rode to San Juan del Sur,
4i,,ar Gov l,,th ol g..
carts now, and it would seem to me impossible
in the rainy season. Yet they DO pass at a great
cost OF labor and money. A railroad from this
city to the port would be paid for in five years
by mere difference of applied labor that will
go on until the railroad Is made.
After visiting the cable station and other
points of interest we mounted our horses and
went about league to the cattle farm of my
friend, where We slept.
The next day we had a hard ride of four
hours to Brito over such hills and along
gulches such as are only seen III mountainous
regions This must have been IA miles. all of
which was rough then the direct road to this
city is called IL miles. We lost our way twice.
and probably rode 35 miles that day. We saw
two fine deer, four separate focLs of species
of pheasants almost large az turkeys, and
monkeys, mackaws and pigeons in numbers.
The Improvement of BrltO involves no phys
ical difficulties. The height of the sea was less
than l supposed, probably due to the strength
of the wind that blows almost constantly over
and across the isthmus. Several engineers and
contractors who have just visited the line of
the located canal from the lake to Brito ex-
pressed themselves very much pleased with the
country and the location, and were entirely
satisfied with the climate and the people of
Nicaragua. The long years that the canal con-
struction has been held in allegiance has had
the happy result of making the route as
located all that nature offers, which is a great
deal to favor the construction. The canal
company now knows just what has to be done.
We all know that this is yet undetermined on
the Panama route, unless it be that it is far
better to let it alone than TO try to make it.
We need not bother ourselves with even sur
lnlisns IN rnlatinr q il