New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-12
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
THE CAPE COD CANAL
A SAILOR THINKS IT'S CONSTRUCTION UNDEsIR-

A
ABLE.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
sir I wish to put myself on record. through The
Tribune as opposed Buzzards Bay-Cape Cod
Shin Canal | was born and bred sailor. and am
sub-author Of Eldridge's charts of the Atlantic
coast For many years I have had constant inter-
course with the major portion OF the seafarng
community OF this country and the question OF the
desrability of a ship canal at Buzzard's Bay has
been discussed and commented upon. In my pres
ence many times by those who had interests In
and a thorough knowledge of the subject under
conversation and the conclusion arrived at by such
authority has invariably been in the negative. The
difficulties and objections TO be met with in the
construction Of a suitable canal to meet the wants
OF commerce are In my opinion beyond the calcu-
lation OF man. except by a rough APPROXIMATION
and IL seems strange to me that men OF brains or
money should consider seriously for moment the
feasibility OF a canal the place named. 1t should
not be undertaken for the following reasons:
First-At the very outset the mariner would be
confronted with the narrow and rocky entrance to
Buzzard's Bay being as 1t Is. extremely hazardous
10 navigation for large vessels. except under very
favorable circumstances. viz, In the daytime ana
favorable winds
in length and with heavy westerly winds short
and nasty sea heaves In which would necessitate
the building Of huge breakwater at the head r OF
the bay for the protection OF vessels Dound north
or south via the canal The breakwater in question
would have TO be some two miles In length. forty
feet wide with an elevation from the bottom or
al least thirty-nve feet The construction or such
n breakwater would cost many millions or dollars
and years of labor. -, - ..o.
for vessels and steamers of heavy drar, IL would
be necessary to dredgc channel nearly nVe mics
I'm length from the shore out into the bay, the Dot
tom being clay and lodges OF rock. This would,
evidently cost many more millions OF money 10 ac-
compsh - .-
| in cane cod Eay and RuZzards lay would neces-
state the lining OF the trunk of the canal win
masonry. and also the construction anu use Vi Wy
expensive locks. tina, o.,
FIfth-A breakwater would have 10 be built In cape
Cod Bay at the northern entrance OF the canal
10 project shipping. said br-akwater would nave
IN BE- of about the same dimensions as the one
described needful for BuzZlrds Bay ana wouid
cost many additional millions H.,
Sixth-Uuring cold or hard winters BuZIard
Kay is practically closed to navigation by ice
Many other good reasons could be given II heces,
sary 10 show why Il canal should not be attempted
al IuzZarl's Bay Charter after charter mas t"t'n
granted by the state 10 various parties 70 DuII Il
canal from Buzzard's Bay across Cape toi. WY
has not a canal been built long ere thlsF Inc
answer Is IL takes money 10 build canals
me nnu ncla world has often been appealed 70 FOR
means 10 carry the work. but after proper IN,
vestigaton Il has invariably shaken ls head anu
answered. nay and the project OF n canal ht ms
MAC. IL now generally considered by the pubic
10 be n huge and stale old Joke. And II seems 70
me that. In view OF the facts rendered hrrr"!S.
The whole thing should be looked upon as unworthy
If the enormous expenditure Of money and time
necessary produce "A canal suitable lor haNisa-
ton aud then suitable only under the most ttTor-
able circumstances. tf.cltTL W. I'''''N'DNi''
Boston March g. 1894