The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-13
A KEY TO THE OCEANS.
THE NICARAGUA CANALS BENE-
FIT TO SAVANNAH.

Convention. ne Flan OF the Greal
Waterway and the Difficulties to Be
Encountered in Its Construction
The Question of Finance Greater
Than That of Bngineering-The Saw
ing By the Canal to the Commerce
OF the World.
The Nicaragua canal means a great dea
for Savannah. Col. W. w. Gordon, one OF
Georgia's delegates to the recent St. Loui'
convention, is deeply interested in
the project. To cover the whole
ground of the plan aud purposes
of the canal and its promoters as developed
in the st. Louis convention would be diff
ficult in short newspaper article, but Col.
Gordon poinJed out the salient points.
There were about $50 delegates in the con-
vention, which met In st. Louis june ..
There were three delegates from Georgia,
the two besides Col. Gordon being
William B. Burroughs Of Brunswick
and Col S. II. Hawkins of Americas
The states most largely reprsssn ted
were California, at whose instance the con-
vention was called, Missouri, in which state
the convention was held and the nsRhbor~
ing states Of Illinois, Iowa and Kansas. The
south and east were both well represented.
Col. Gordon was made a member of the
credentials committee and was elected one
Of the vice presidents OF the convention.
THE CANAL CoMPANY's SCHEME.
Hon. Warner Miller Of New York, presi-
dent of the Nicaragua Canal Company,
made an address outlining the plan
of the company and the work
30 far accomplished. The address
was practical and businesslike and brought
out in full relief the prominent features of
the scheme. The subject was discussed at
length by two Californians and the western
representatives and resolutions were passed
endorsing the plan and steps were taken to
bring the matter to the attention OF con.
gress and also Of both the great political
parties.
The question, Col. Gordon said, is one of
great Importance. The facts brought to
the attention Of the convention demon
strated conclusively the necessity
of the canal and its practicability
and the fact that it 10 sure TO be built by
one Of the great nations Of the world,
national protection and assistance being
necessary to the successful completion of the
project.
THE only question:" Col Gordon said,
sis whether the United States will under
take the direction and control of the work
or whether it will stand like the dog in the
manger preventing any other nation from
undertaking the work. The control Of the
canal Il completed will become a strategic
and commercial necessity to this country
As majority Of the people are familiar
in only general way with tho scheme, it
will be necessary to explain its details some-
what for the understanding OF those who
have not time TO investigate the subject for
themselves.
TO CONNECT THE OCEANS.
The Panama canal project having failed,
and a waterway between the continents of
North and South America being an evident
necessity to the commerce of the world.
those interested set about to dis
cover more feasible scheme
for connecting the two oceans
The plan of a canal through the Central
American state Of Nicaragua was agreed
upon by both financiers and engineers Of
distinguished ability as the most practicable
plan Of connecting the Atlantic and Paoid
and providing q communication between
the two for the convenience of the world
The basis of the Nicaragua canal plan is the
taking advantage of the natural water
courses Of the country for the greater part
amount of work TO be- done
in providing an artificial channel
and at the same time decreasing the enUin-
eering difficulties In the construction as to
place its completion within the reach Of
modern capital.
Lake Nicaragua, which forms the key to
the situation, is an inland sea in the south
ern portion of the state of Nicaragua, 100
miles in length by about 50 miles in width.
It's depth varies from 80 to $40 feet. 1t is
proposed to utilize this lake for
miles or nearly three-fourths the distance
of the canal.
THE ENTRY TO THE LAKE.
As means of entry to the lake from the
Atlantic it is proposed to utilize the San
Juan river, which empties from the lake
into the Atlantic at the port Of Greytown.
This river, however, for a portion of its dis-
tance is so tortuous and 81 uncertain in It's
depth that 1t was found necessary to
TO depart from 1t at a point about % miles
from the port of Greytown and for that
distance to dig out absolutely a canal This
Is the chief and almost the entire work to
be done. From where the canal enters the
San Juan river to the lake, q distance Of 81
miles, the river has a depth of from 80 to
100 feet.
In fact the river would be navigable for
Its entire distance for light craft were it'll not
Tor rapids which exist ia the latter half Of its
way to the sea. An American built steam,
boat Is now navigating and transporting
commerce upon the river. Little, if any,
work is necessary to provide a route across
the lake. On the other side OF the lake a
short river or arm of the sea leading TO the
racine ocean is taken, which Is OF sufficient
depth for vessels Of large draft, except for
the last three miles, which 1t Will be neces-
sary TO dredge out. There 10 a partial
port here already by the name OF
Brito, which will require to
be improved and q breskwater built for the
protection of ships. Considerable improve
nent has already been made in the port of
Greytown, and a breakwater is now in
course OF construction, which is rapidly im>
proving the harbor
A FEAsIBELE ENTERPRISE.
All the engineers who have examined the
plan have reported it as feasible, the chief
difficulty to contend with being the cost.
The engineering difficulties are not greater
than have already been encoun-
tered In the construction of
works of similar Importance. such as
the Suez canal and the Sault Ste Marie
canal on the American great lakes. The
greatest difficulty to be encountered on the
route proposed is cutting through. an eie-
walton Of l40 feet of solid rock, which
stands squarelY in the path. This, however
Is only II matter of time and money, and
the rock is needed on other portions OF the
work
Locks will have to be constructed to
eQualize the level Of the lake with the river
and the oceans. but this is an ordinary en-
cheering work.
The immense advantage Of such a canal
TO the commerce of the world, and particu-
larly that Of the United States, is apparent
to every one. 1t is estimated that the