The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1893-04-19
SUEZ CANAL.
AN INTERESTING DESCRIPTION
OF DeLESSEPS GREAT WORK.
The Wonderful Waterway Is One
Hundred Miles Long, And
Affords France a Great
Revenue.
SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS
d, TOLLS ON ONE VESSEL.
From Tewfik to Port Said-Funny
Arab Peddlers and Flocks of
Beautiful Flamingoes.
HOW SHIPS PASS EACH OTHER
IN THE CANAL.

4
famous waterway which was the crown
ing engineering achievement of Ferdi
nand deI.esseps is taken from the note
book of Mr.. Allen of Buffalo by the Buff
falo Union-Advertiser:
We have just come up through the
perilous Red sea, with its banks of vary.
ing shades Of brown, gray and yellow
We have passed here and there shoal
or reef, scarcely visible except by the
eddy of the water set in motion by oui
steamer. There are signs of relief as we
enter Jubal straits into the gulf of suez
We can now at timessee both shores and
have passed the most dangerous part OF
our journey.
It is three days since we passed
through the straits OF Babel Mandeb, at
which point our captain had taken his
post on the bridge, and there he had re-
manned without relief seventy-two hours.
Passing up through the Gulf of Suez we
leave Mount Sinai to the right, and at
last the gradually closing shores remind
us we are about to enter the great water
way. We are moored off Port Tewfik,
commonly called Terreplein. The city
of Suez, from which the canal takes its
name, is located about six miles to the
west of the canal entrance, and we must
remain here until the Orient line tender
arrives with orders. Our rest is not all
quiet, however, for we are besieged on
all sides by the Arabian merchants in
their picturesque sailing dhows which
ply up and down the Arabian coast with
cargoes of coffee, spices, gums, SIENNA,
rose leaves, and all the drugs and per-
fumes of 'Araby the blest.' They are
not long disposing of their small cargoes,
especially oranges and bananas. A
short trip on shore allows us to visit the
southern offices OF the canal company,
situated on the edge of a green and pref
ty double avenue of lebbek and sont
trees. A tall signal tower shows the
state Of traffic by means of balls and
flags.
On the lawn is colossal bronze statue
of Lieut.. Waghorn, the spirited protector
of the overland route which led event
ually to the making OF the canal. In
the office of Chartrey de Menetreux.
who is the director Of the transit depart
ment of the canal, on table, which oc-
cupies one side OF the room, is the mini
ature canal about fifteen feet long. On
shelf above it are some fifty model
ships, each bearing national flag.
There are sidings and stations, lakes, etc.
When ship passes the Office TO enter
the conal one OF the miniature ships is
placed in corresponding position, and
by constant Geographic communication
with the Mediterranean entrance and
each section the exact location of every
vessel can be seen at a glance.
IN THE CANAL.
Our steamer now enters the canal, and
as we are making but five miles per
hour we have abundant time to study
our surroundings. Vessels are piloted
through the canal ON the block system.
At each of the stations, called "Gares,"
there are signal posts from which steam
ships are directed to either enter the sid
ings or go into the canal, as may be re-
quired, A full code of these signals is
supplied to ships by the canal authori-
ties. Vessels not provided with an cleo
trio protector or search light that can
throw light 1900 yards are not allowed
to navigate the canal by night. The
canal is 81 geographical, or about 100
statute miles in length, rs to $50 feet
wide, and about 80 feet deep. In order
to prevent any serious shiftings Of the
canal or washing Of its banks it has been
found necessary to stone and concrete
them, which is now being done.
The canal is source OF great revenue
TO the French government, as the tariff
on our steamer alone is upward OF $1,000
on freight and passengers. The passen-
ger dues are about So in our money for
iirst-class passengers and 81 steerage.
We arrive at Ismailia at midnight.
From this town the railroad connects
with Cairo. This is the usual route Of
the tourist TO the pyramids OF Geezeh,
which OF the sixty pyramids are the
most interesting, as they are the largest,
and are located about seven miles from
Cairo. The Boolak museum in Cairo
also must not be missed, for there can be
seen many kings and queens whose
names are familiar in Egyptian history.
1t is curious and interesting to look at
the Jewish features OF the Pharoah who
brought up Moses, Rameses H., who also
played so prominent part scores OF CEN
turtles ago, and within the present de-
cade was discovered and placed in his
present resting place despite the efforts
OF the English government to have him
removed to the British museum.
Returning TO Ismailia we pursue our
way up the Suez canal. There Isl slight