The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1891-08-04
THE TRANS-PAGIFIG CABLE.
Views of Admiral Belknap.

the proposed submarine cable across the
Pacific, l beg TO say that while the Tus-
cGrorS'S Survey-made il iS74-did not
promise feasibility for the northern
route. owing to the great depths met at
certain localities al ocean. on the route
taken, submitted the opinion To the
Government Of the United States at the
conclusion OF that survey, that more
nostheriy line OF soundinGs would prob
ably develop route of depth sufficiently
moderate Tor the purpose in question.
Such route would skirt closely the East
ern coasts OF Ddi Nippon and YesSo, the
hurlie group and the peninsula Of Nam
Schatka tO Cape haslof in lat. Of about
d deg, 50 min. N.-thence eastward to
Alton the north weSlermost island OF the
Aleuuan chain-wheUce the route east
ward, along that chain and across the
Gull OF Alaska 10 Puget Sound Is all
plain sailing, easy and practicable.
do not understand that there is in
surmountsble difficulty sttendan. upon
the successful laying OF s. telegraphic
cable in depths of 1000 fathoms or 1900
iathoms and more, but 10 graphic and
raise cable for repairs at those great
N(NAANA N~AA N--C SAlAA lt4Na
" OF the seaman and engineer to the
utmost, as all viii recognize who have
ever had occasion to haul back from
great depths any weight howsoever light.
When the fSct is recalled that the pres
sure increases s ton per square inch-ap-
proximately stated-ior every mile of
descent, the enormous strain and fric-
ton upon wire or rope and appliances,
working in four and i've miles depths
will be more strikingly apprehended.
The point selected Tor the midway sta
ton OF this northern line was Glory OF
Russia Bay, Tanaga Island, 4 harbor OF
easy access. good anchOring depth, safe,
cap2cious and with sandy beach, and
fresh water IN abundance close at hand.
But commercially and financially con
sidered, investment by such line would
probably never pay-and the likelihood
OF cable beilg laid across that region
OF the PacifcSs doubtless very remote
unless, indeed, unexpected political de-
velopments demand Geographic commu-
Rication by tina. route
As regards the proposed line Tor 4 cable
from Yokohama 70 the west coast of the
United States via the BONN and Hawaii
an Islands, 1 consider l. not only pTac-
ticGO.e but certain thai = cSbie viii be
laid by that route IL TIE not distant fu-
tUre.
The peoples '9hn lyok upon the vast
waters OF the Pacific Is their commercial
home and dominion, are about entering
upon 81 epoch OF gre2t and varied de-
growth and prosperity.
Japan on the north west OF this great
ocean Is daily growing in Importance
among the nations and enlarging her
horizon; to the south west q
great nation-Australia- fast arising,
destined soOn-with her sister country
New ZealanG-to dominate commerce.
ally and politically the greater part, ii
not ali, Of Polynesia; 10 the north east
the tTanscontinental railways and trans
Pacific steamship lines, coupled with the
enormous natural resources OF that !
region, are stimulating with Iireless en-
ergy and marvellous power the growth |
and wealth Of populations already great !
III along the west coasts OF the United !
States and OF the Dominion of Canada, |
while the digging OF the canal across the |
sthmus of Nicaragua-likely to be open |
d 10 traffic within the next decade
opens new vistas Of commerce which 1
sill profoundly affect the old CONNER
.i2l routes OF both the Atlantic and the 4
Pacific. No Asiatic country will prob /!
IDLY be more benefited by this new
venue Tor maritime enterprise and ex-
,2nsion than Japan: nor should be over
ookei, in this flores allowing Of wide
Dread progress ana -yelOpment over
ne vast area OF the Pacific, including the
afforded by the numerous
ich island groups In mid-Ocean, the
commercial promise and stimulating
fleets that viii spring from the possibly
lot distant opening OF the Siberian rail-
ray, now in process Of construction by
be Government OF Russia.
Bearing this picture in mind, q glance
{ q chart of the Pacific will indicate to
be most casual observer the great i'm
ortance and ineStimable value of the
hawaiian Islands as q strategic point
nd commercial center. Situated in
Pacific the group looks out on
very hand towards grand opportunities
I trade, political aggrandizement and
olyglot intercourse. Not to connect the
reat bases of commerce and political
ower-Tithin the Pacific-by means OF
telegTaphic cable, with such marked
ONT OF observation and opportunity,
-ould be folly indeed for the coming
.atesmen as well as for the rising men
high commercial aims and great enter
rises
To doubt that such consummati0n VIII
e ultimately reached is to discredit the
itherto commercial courage, fiTeless
II h-----,o--- 49,. - ~.
nglo-SaxOa race, for whether under the
nperial flag Of England, the starry en-
gn OF the Great Republic or the prob
bic independent banner OF Australia,
e destinies of the Pacific lie, in good
leasure, in the hollow OF the hands Of
Il great kindred peoples who aside
ON the admirable quarter occupied by
2pan are impregn2biy planted on the
lost commanding positions and resource
L country OF its vast shores, already ;
wing common language 10 the formu-
s OF its commerce and asserting dOmin
ut control Of lis political thought and
,tion
In lesser degree the BONN Islands
.ust also be REGARDED as an important
1int in the Pacific as telegraphic sta
On and coal depot in the coming day Of
bic extension and increased CONNER !
Al activity
The distance from Port Lloyd OF the
onin's 20 the entrance OF Yokohama
AZ IS some 500 miles On that line the
lscsrora made Il iEgs-ORly 9 Of
hich we're IL depths greater than 500
thOms. The deepest cast was had in
49, iathOns-2z statute miles-the
Bgle depth beyond 1900 lathoms found ,