The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-04
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
COMMITTEE or ENGINEERS NOW
HARD AT WORK.
Result OF Their Investigations Thus Far.
General and Active Interest in
the Work.

SAN JUAN DEL NORTE, NICARA-
Qua, May lS-The committee OF engi-
ncers appointed by President Cleveland 10
examine the plans and route Of the Nica-
ragua canal is now comfortably settled
down here In the quarters which had
been prepared for its members.
At noon on .he 18th, after journey or
six days from Mobile, the steamer ~
rived of this harbOr, and the commits
sionerS. all of hOm were well, landed
the same afternO -. They buckled do~n
TO work Immediately, ana have made
much progress. The canal line has been
cleared between the lake and Brito. the
western terminus. and the work Of clear
ing the route from GrcytOwn 1Sun Juan
Del NOr.e) 10 OchOa was nearly COM
p'etcd. The commission found every one
actively Interested In the work. and also
that everything had been done 10 insure
an adequate inspection Of the route.
The commission first inspected the
breakwaier Here as was to be expected.
much eaten by that pest Of southern
waters, the tcrcdO. The commission -
making examination Of this locality.
Some surveys have already been started
10 determine to what extent changes may
have occurred in the beach since work
was begun by the company in 1889.
ONLY TyIDEScFs or DETERIORATION.
This damage by the teredo is about the
only evidence of deterioration which the
commission have seen. The dredsed
section of the canal is in excellent scOn-
ditiOn The high embankments on the
sides have stood the action of the weather
perfectly, leading 10 many expressions
OF approval from the members OF the IN
specting party.
THr coMpANY's BUILDINGS.
The condition Of the companys build
ings is also gratifying. All OF them,
from La Fet 10 the hospitals, nave been
visited and found TO be I'm an excellent
state Of preservation. The commissioners
went over the whole line Of the laI-
road on May 10Th This trip from Grey
town TO the terminus or camp NO. Z,
was made on a hand-car at an average
speed OF about eight miles an hour. 1he
condition OF the road, after so long a
suspension OF work. was the subject or
favorable and general comment Ihe
embankments are firm and well settled,
presenting a uniform grade. as originally
laid down The track is I'm excellent
condition, one OF the commissioners re-
marking that a locOmotiNe ana ltail ol
cars might even now run over IL IN per
feet safety The only lmpcflcctoNs
were when native timber had been usel
for ties. with the replacement ot thes,;
which are few In number, the rOad VIII
be in perfect condition. The Inspection
thus far made shows that there has beeh
no wash or pcrccptible settling OF the
embankmcnts and the side cuts IN the
sections OF the road In elevations, Whlch
i'm some cases were almost vertical are
practically as originally made.
EVIDENCES or STABILITY.
The stability Of the work is shown by
the fact that writing ana carica. ures
made by the workmen on the face of the
CLAW slope retain even thclr shape out
lines. The crumbl.ng Of earth from the
face of the slope has not IN any cas-
beon suficient TO Obstruct the small side
drains. This demonstrates that there
need be no fear OF injury by rains 10
similar works in this the rainy secroh
Tho party will finish its preliminary
wori, here I'm two or three days more.
Then. on May 2ist the commissioners
EXPECT 10 start for the lake region.