Evening star., 1898-12-20

as known by the NicdraSuanS is unneceS-
sary a glance at the accompanying cut is
sufficient to convey idea of its relative
position to the proposed harbors the
Caribbean and the canal proper lead
ing to the Pacific.
The HarbOr in the East.
The survey of the eastern end of the
canal, as stated, has been completed and
the soundings plotted. This work was done
under the supervision of Commander Til
ley of the United States gunboat Newport
in March and April last. The soundings
were taken as far out as the eight-fathom
curve, and borings Were carefully made to
ascertain the nature of the substrata of the
ocean bed. The work of construction must
and will begin at this place, as it has been
decided as absolutely necessary to have a
harbor, in all material respects complete
to use as base of operations. This har-
Dor will be constructed in the proportions,
from the outset that will obtain when
mooring space for all vessels that may con-
gregate for navigating the canal may be
in greatest demand.
The harbor proper begins with a cut 900
feet wide, starting at the fiye-fathom
curve in Caribbean sea. This cut will run
in at right angles to the shore line On
either side, running parallel with the cut
are TWO Jettfes or breakwaters. ! ,160 feet
apart, the distance between the inner walls
being about LOO feet These jetties will
be 1000 feet long and will protect both
the east and west sides of the cut from the
action of the sea. The west jetty will be
built on compound curve so as to mar
row the channel at the harbor head to
800 feet. The harbor head or neck will
then turn westward about 40 degrees, curv-
ing on a 3,oo0-foot radius. This is done to
prevent the lift of the sea swell from being
felt in the inner harbor and at the entrance
OF the canal proper, where the close prox-
unity of lying-in vessels to the sides would
naturally, otherwise, cause great danger.
This neck crosses the Cano de Animus.
shallow stream with marshy banks run
ming southwark. Just beyond this neck be-
gins the inner harbor.
The Inner HarbOr.
This inner harbor is to have one thou
sand feet clear for vessels drawing as high
as twenty-five feet, with a bottom width of
eleven hundred feet between the vertical
pier walls which will run along both sides
distance of about mile. This inner
harbor crosses the upper portion of Grey
town lagoon, another wide, shallow stretch
o. water separated from the sea by low
sandspit and will be a parallelogram in
shape, the tops of the banks being twelve
hundred and sixty feet apart. At the
termination of this will be the guard gate
beyond which will be the canal proper
The bottom of b0th the outer and inner
harbors will be dredged to the depth of
thirty feet at mean low water, which is
considered to be sufficient to float the
largest vessels wishing to use the canal
This depth will also be carried through the
entire canal to the Pacific.
The boringS indicate aluVial formation
at the bottom at this place. showing that
the material will be soft. There is much
silt and sand throughout this entire dis
trict, deposited by the San Juan river for
ages past.
The estimates of the present canal COM
mission show 5,22J, 900 cubic yards of ma
terial to be excavated in the inner harbor
and between the jetties 100000 The
dredging of this material can be accom-
plished by a modern steam hydraulic
dredge at a cost it is estimated, of about
10 cents per cubic yard, this estimate being
based upon work of similar character
done by the United States dredge Gedney
in New York harbor. The jetties are to be
built of heavy riprap stone. The outer
ends will be enlarged where they are in
five fathoms of water or over, to stand the
action of the sea, which is heavy along
that portion of the coast. The western or
upper ietty will not be as far seward as
the lower, making the entrance more ac-
cessible from the north. The stone is to
be taken as far as possible from the i'm
mediate vicinity, the remainder to be sup
piled from the rock cuttings of the East
divide"
The estimate for construction of these
Jetties is as follows: 1S2, 900 cubic riprap
stone for the west and 27S.000 for the east
jetty- AS a matter of interest not gen
the jetties are to be located runs east and
west. the only portion of the coast along
that portion of the Caribbean sea not run
ming due north and south. 1t will be seen
by those informed upon the subject that