New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-03
THE SUEZ CANAL.
HOW THE FAMOUS WATERWAY IS MAN
AGED-ITS UNIQUE TYPE OF
CONSTRUCTION.
CONSTRUCTION.

Among the great canals OF the world the one
through the Isthmus of Suez stands absolutely
alone as the example Of certain type OF con
structon. While it is magnificent piece OF
engineering work. il seems almost an error to
call it a canal. since ii has no locks gates. resor-
vors or pumping cngines-in short, ii has moth
Ing in common with other canals except that 1t
affords short cut for vessels passing from one
body of water to another. II is an artificial
strait connecting the Mediterranean and Rcd
seas, and because these two seas are on nearly
the level the particular kind OF con
ftruction of the Suez Canal became possible.
NJ Ferdinand de Lcsseps the famous French
engineer who aftcrward undertook me dsas-
trous Panama enterprise. has the credit Of hav-
ing projected and successfully completed the
Suez Canal From 1910 to 1851 he was plan
ming the work. In the latter year Mahcmet Said
Pacha became Niccroy OF Egypt. ard at once
arranged with NJ. De Lesseps for the formation
OF company and the beginning Of the work.
Bat many premnaries were still necessary.
and ii was not until 1850 that operations were
actually in progress. From that time work
went on steadily for two years. Then. in 1866.
the Egyptian Niceroy visited England. ard
while there asked Sir John IIawkshaw. a we'll
known British engineer. to inspcc; the canal
and report. without reference to the opinions Of
the French engineers, upon the practicabty
OF its successful completion and working Sir
John Hawkshaw made various criticisms and
gave advice which was OF much value. but en-
Couraged the prosecution Of the undertaking.
NAPOLEON III AND THE CANAL
Said Pacha died before Sir Johns report was
made and was succeeded by his brother. Ismai
Pacha. The latter. alarmed at the large grants
OF land which had been made TO the canal com
pany. and anxious 10 be relieved from the bur
den Of providing the forced labor which SAID
Pacha had been furnishing refused to agree
e. the concessions made by his brother The
subject was referred TO Napoleon H. Emperor
Of the French who undertook to help the canal
project. He awarded the sum Of SlSIonoOO To-
be paid Icy the Viceroy 10 the company. This
money was at once applied to the pros -cution
% the work. which was completed in 49,?
The entire length Of tho canal is o'rhty-cicht
geographical or about one hundred statute
miles OF these eighty eight gcoGra phical miles
sixty-six are actual canal. having been formed
W cuttings: fourteen miles consist 81 drcdt =
,hrough the various lakes which lay IN %"
oath Of the work and eight miles requir, : -
)hor at all since the natural depth was ,s.al
C. tina; OF the canal This depth WIS -. nf.,
.wenty-sx feet. but the canal WIS W.Ccl,G
and decpcncd about ten years ago 50 that NV
vessels of twcnty-six feet draught can pass
through il easily with something to spare The
surface width is 80 feet for most II the way.
Nut in the deeper cuttings thu width decreases
y 1876 feet. The lakes which the canal ira
verses-I.ako Menzaeh. next to the M,diter-
ranean; Lake Timsah. about half-wa across