The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-20
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.



Observations OF an Engineer Formerly
Employed on tho Work.
SEATTLE, Dec. 10, 1892
To THE EpTroR-In view OF the importance
and significance which the construction OF the
Nicaragua canal IL to the Pacific coast In general,
and to the state of Washington in particular,
together with the probability that the next con-
gress will settle the fate OF the canal definitely,
it may perhaps be interesting to some OF your
readers to obtain from the pen OF an engineer
who located the first twelve miles OF the
entrance of the canal at Greytown few facts OF
the manner of its proposed construction. and
also a picture of the country through which II
passes.
The problem of inter oceanic communication
from Greytown, in Nicaragua, by way OF the
San Juan river and Lake Nicaragua, to the Pacific
ocean at Brito, is not a new one, for al early AZ
the sixteenth century the Spaniards explored
the country with a view to building canal
uniting the two oceans. And judging from the
many repeated efforts made in this direction
since that time it is safe to predict that canal
will be constructed some day.
To crown, therefor e, the present century, 80
great in its achievements and so near its close,
with a fitting monument which will proclaim
to coming generations the greatness OF our
Union in the field of peaceful progress: to
crown the close of this century, say, with a
visible proof OF such magnitude as the con-
ssruction of this canal ie, outrivaling In I'M
portauce and usefulness anything ever executed
by any nation at any time in the worlds hlsto-
~, Is worthy OF our mightiest endeavors IL
would give notice to all the rest OF the civilized
nations that our country leads the worto In
every conceivable field.
The project is certainly unembarrassed with
any difficulty except that of magnitude, which
in this age of magnificent undertakings is
hindranee only when it advances the cost OF
construction beyond the limit OF remuneratiYe
returns.
The country through which the first ten miles
of the canal are laid is perfectly level, but
swampy, covered with an almost impenetrable
mass of silico palms, underbrush and vines ana
primevai forestsnever before penetrated by man.
The canal gradually rises in three successive
lifts to a height of LOG feet, between series OF
low hills and valieysto the divide cut about 500
feet deep, and thence to q connection 1T Ochoa
with the San Juan river, whore dam 1,9eO feet
long aud seventy feet high, win be constructed
By this dam slack water navigation will be Sc
cured to the lake. distance OF sixty miles
The navigation channel will average about
900 feet in width, and be from % to 120 feet
deep. The distance across the lake Is hfty-six
miles, and from there to the Pacific ocean, dis
lance of seventeen miles. the canal descends
through three successive locks, eleven miles OF
which is in excavation and about five miles In
To.a basin, where dam at La Floor 1,SOO feet
long and seventy feet high will be constructed,
descending thence to the sea level at Brito.
II is estimated that twenty-eight hours Will
be consumed by a vessel IN passing from one
ocean to the other, and the estimated cost OF
construction is placed by Chief Engineer Memo
cal at $e5 00Oo This, however, differs materi-
ally from the estimates made by other eminent
engineers, some OF whom place their estimates
as high as 500 900 900. The latter figure seems
to me the more reasonable; but in whatever
direction attention is turned. the substantial
elements of an enormous and unprecedented
commercial development in connection with
| the opening of the canal are apparent, even
should the latter estimate be correct. There Ia
| no doubt that the canal will have an abundant
business, and its political effect will be to
strengthen the union, while from strategic
point of view the canal will be OF the greatest
| possible importance to the government of the
United States
In ascending the San Juan river, lined every
| where with primeval forests. the eye OF the
| traveller unaccustomed to tropical scenes is
| constantly kept busy beholding the novelties
| which presant themselves everywhere, both in
| the animal and vegetable Kingdoms. Alligators
| of immense size, tapirs, manitous weighing
| from loo TO 1900 pounds, are seen frequently
| sporting in the water or lying upon the trunk
| of some immense tree overhanging the water
| waiting for prey, but quickly disappearing on
| the approach of boat; while the adjacent for
| ests resound with the constant chatter OF end
| less varieties OF parrots and monkeys. Those
| who are anxious to explore the forests more
| closely will coon find that it is absolutely nee
| essery to proceed cautiously on account of the
| great number aud variety of poisonous snakes
! ranging from six inches to nine feet The dan
| ger from these snakes is increased by the fac
| that their skins and colors resemble closely
| tho appearance OF the soil and foliage OF tn,
| trees that il is next TO impossible to detsc
| them. Fortunately nearly all are sluggish
| ard azy and do not move unless forcibly dis
| turbed. There are many persons who hav
stepped within an inch of these poisonou
monsters, never knowing what danger they
were ill., while others discovering their DANCE
have had ample time to save the-nselve
through the sluggishness of the reptiles. On
trip in the interior in connection with the exam
| ination of some coal measures, had occasion
| 10 experience at close range some Of the tines
| sport i'm aginabie, and our guns were kept bus,
| IN the destruction OF large and small game, In
| GLIDING beautiful species OF panther, whfc
| stood at the edge of the river bank while GU
| boat was idly gliding by.
| The first sign of civilization after leavin
| Greytown is the interesting old fort at Castillo
built several hundred years ago. /, overlook
the river, and reminds one forcibiy of some oil
feudal strong hold on the Rhine Ascending til
| river AZ the entrance 10 Lake Nicaragua the oil
tort of san Carlos celebrated through Walker
hiibusier expeditlonl rises upon tn
north bank OF the river. A sma
garrison of bare-footed soldiers are ct.
toned there. while the deserted rampant
aud battlements, with Il few dismounte
howitzaEs and rusty cannon balls, remind II
traveller that there must have been, at one tim
| period Of activity and Importance. But q
scenery before you beggars description. In IL
distance the two ISLANDS, eoienfiname and Chit
cate, appear on the horizon IN their darx-gree
yerdurs. And as evening approaches the va
. | s1panse before you grows res plendsn, by Il
| tropical skies tinted IN tie Richest aud mo
| delicate colors, and constantly changing In the
! pink roseate and pale blue huss Willis OF
| stands ia silent admiration In contamination
! this impressive scene, the two twla volcano
| Omotepe and MADEIRA rise before You in the &c
ter Of the lake 10 an altitude of $500 leet nttii
| their majestic heads above the CLOUDS, seer
| jngly there to reflect il the clear waters Of {,
: | lake eIlnpsss from another world
PAUL RIgCEKR