Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-02-21
DE LEssEps.
Facts In the Life of the Great En-.
gineer.
change.

yicomte Ferdinand De Lesseps, G..
G. s. l., just dead, was born at YER
sailles, France, Nov. 10, 1906 In 1928
he entered the diplomatic service as
an attache of the consulate at Lisbon,
and subsequently served in like posi-
tions elsewhere. He was consul at
Barcelona in 1912, when that city was
bonbarded, and was jealous in the
protection of the lives and property
of French citizens, and afforded an
asylum to Spaniards on board the
vessels of the French feet. He was
among the first to urge the expediency
OF constructing canal across the
isthmus of Suez, connecting the Medi-
terranean sea and the Indian ocean.
After unremitting effort for many
years he obtained a firman from Said
Pasha In 1854, and enlisting French
and English capitalists, undertook the
work, which was vigorously prosecuted
to completion, despite many obstacles
that would have discouraged less
resolute man.
The viceroy OF Egypt granted con
cession In 1856 The praoticability OF
the project was questioned by many
of the most eminent engineers of the
world, and was ridiculed all over Eu-
rope, and especially by English engi-
neers. The work was begun in 1889.
1t socn commanded the attention Of
various governments, which subscribed
literally to the undertaking as the
work progressed and its practicability
became assured. The Turkish govern
ment rendered substantial help, but
this was construed as an attempt to
strengthen the political power OF the
porte in Egypt and was resisted by
the other powers interested, princi-
pally Great Britain and France. Work
was suspended for a tlme on account
Of these complications, but finally the
matter was submitted - arbitration
and satisfactorily adjusted.
A canal of sufficient depth to admit
of the passage of small steam vessels
was opened Aug. Is, 1865. and by de
grees the channal was deepened and
enlarged so that small ships and
SGnOOnPTS were tudbicu w PoSo
through in March, 1867.
Aug. Is, 1869, the waters OF the
Mediterranean mingled with those OF
the Red sea, and the formal opening
OF the canal was celebrated with great
pomp and rejoicing at Suez, and on
Nov. 1s the canal WAS formally opened
to Port Said Representatives Of all
the principal governments of Europe
were present on this occasion, and the
fetes were among the most imposing
ever witnessed in modern times. A
grand professional feet consisting OF
40 vessels successfully made the pass
age from Port Said to Ismailie.
A few days after this event NJ. De
I4esseps married Mile, Antard De
Bra-ard, young creole Of English
extraction and considerable wealth.
He received honorable decorations
from nearly every government of Eu-
rope. Queen yicteria's gift was his
nomination as an honorary knight
grand commander Of the Order OF the
Star of India. The freedom of the
city of London was also presented TO
him. In 1873 he was chosen free
member of the French academy. He
published a history Of the canal in
1878. In 1881 he was elected presi-
dent of the French Geographical so
ciety. The English government en-
deavored to secure his services in cut
ting second canal. but the negotia-
tons fell through owing to opposition
in the house Of commons and the sub
sequent absorption by English CAPT
talists Of controlling interest In the
existing canal.
Turning his attention 10 the new
world NJ. he LeSseps undertook the
construction of a canal across the
isthmus Of Panama. The original
capital OF the company. 600000,00o
francs. was exhausted, when the sub
scrihers refused to advance more
money and the enterprise was aban-
doned. De Iessep's private fortune
was also absorbed in the undertaking
and he was left comparatively poor.
He continued his efforts to procure