The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-01-06
NICARAGUA CANAL.


NICARAGUA CANAL
No moro magnificent scheme has ever
occupied tho mind of man than that of
the Nicaragua canal.
The saving of ten thousand miles to
those engaged in ocean traffic means
more than the average mind can grasp,
is u fact the significance Of which can
only be appreciated by those who esti-
mate time as money and compute the
economics embraced within the loss or
gain OF an hour. This class of business
mon, however, is increasing, and hence
we recognize greater promise in the
Nicaraguan enterprise than in any like
project over before presented.
The Panama canal project has been
but the shadow or coming events. The
present Unfortunate complications aris-
ing out Of that enterprise simply serve
as means of attracting attention to
the more Legitimate undertaking, and
the world of ocean transportation is
looking to Nicaragua alone as the
means Of deliverance from weary
Again, those in charge of this great
undertaking are men known to us all as
practical business men and men OF un.
doubted integrity.
Then, too, there seems to be a popu-
lar sentiment in favor of the United
States Government patronizing the en-
terprise and should this be done then
would be assured the early completion
of this great work
There have been already expended on
the Nicaragua canal construct zion about
six millions of dollars A splendid
harbor has been established on the At
lantic at Grcytown with the necessary
jetties, deep water and lighthouses, and
the work is now being vigorously pro-
noted in every department.. There are
only about twenty miles Of canal to
construct, the remaining distance being
divided between the basin, twenty Ono
miles; River San Jaun, Ga miles, and
Lake Nicaragua, Sc miles, giving a
total distance OF near.y 40 miles from
ocean to ocean. There are six locks,
three at each end, and the greatest lift
of lock is as feet. The time of transit
is twenty eight hours from ocean to
ocean.
Lake Nicaragua, with its ono hun
dred and ten miles of length and forty
miles average width, has watershed
OF eight thousand square miles, capable
of sustaining very large population,
owing to its wonderful fertility and
especially it's productiveness in tropical
fruits. The natives are contented and
peaceful, the women beautiful and the
men chiyalrous. There IS q misappre-
hension as to the healthiulness Of this
part of Central America, for although
one may suffer temporarily in becoming
acclimated. yet the average health re-
cord will compare favorably with other
countries.
The estimated cost of the canal is one
hundred million dollars. and the time
thought necessary to its completion
six years. When completed it is calcu-
lated that over five million tons of traffic
per year will be carried through the
canal and the ocean carrying trade OF
the world .revolutionzed
Here Is presented the opportunity OF
the United States, as a government. to
forever insure the supremacy Of our
shipping, re.establish our flag upon the
nigh seas and control the straeetie
point of the earth's surface
Here is presented tho only remain.
ing paradise Of the Boomer" and such
one as would please even tho author
OF Boom Fizz." Here, within the next
five or seven years will colossal for.
tunes be made and perhaps a few be
l'ti but opportunities exist along the
of this great work which viii not
a n"ar again for generation
The spirit OF entetpriac ind adventure
predominant In the America breast
will lead many brave man 10 this
Eldorado.