The times., 1899-09-11

nal sufficiently low to cover seasons OF
minimum rainfall.
The surveys have in general revealed
better physical conditions than were hith-
erto supposed to exist, especially as to the
amount of rock in the upper river, whereby
II is possible TO greatly reduce the esti-
mated cost of construction. This fact will
account largely for the comparatively mod
crate amount OF the estimate when the en-
larged dimensions OF the project are taken
into consideration. Other reductions are
due to the improved methods and machin-
cry available, as developed on the Chicago
drainage canal, and which cannot be ig-
nored in discussing a work of this mag
nitude. The creation of sufficiently capa-
cious interior harbors presents no unusual
difficulties, and they can be secured at a
reasonable cost.
The field work, under the authority of
the Commission, has been carefully and
well done and is believed TO be all that is
necessary for the preliminary location of
canal and TO determine, within narrow
limits. the final location of dams, locks,
md other constructions.
Work of the Expedition.
The preliminary studies having been
made and the organization completed, the
expedition sailed from New York in the
United States steamship Newport on De-
cember 5, 1897, nearly one hundred strong,
and arrived off Greytown December II.
The men and stores were landed as
promptly as possible and as fast as
laborers could be engaged the various par
ties were put into the field and entered
upon the work assigned them.
Through the courtesy of the Secretary
of the Navy the United States steamship
Newport was assigned to the service of the
Commission for the survey of Greytown
Harbor and vicinity, the United States
steamship Alert for the survey of Brito
and vicinity, and a strong photographic
party, under Lieutenant Hanus, Of the
Navy, was assigned to the survey of Lake
Nicaragua and the San Juan River.
The Commission remained in Greytown
until January S, 1898, when it proceeded
in special steamer kindly placed at its
disposal by the Nicaraguan Government. to
the examination OF the San Juan River
from the sea to where it leaves Lake Mic
aragua, including the Colorado branch
Five days were occupied in this examina-
tion. The Commission, arriving at Fort San
Carlos, at the head of the San Juan River
on the evening Of January 13, proceeded at
once by steamer to San Jorge, where it ar
rived on the following morning, and after
putting ashore its equipment, supplies, and
bAlId DdSEuSSs COuNiuucQ " 0lduGtsd anu
Managua for the purpose of paying its re-
spects to the President of the Republic.
The Newport sailed at p. M, March 5,
for Colon. arriving the following day. The
five succeeding days were spent in ex
amining the Panama Canal Line the work
being done and the plans, drawings, and
data being in the Office Of the company in
Panama
Climate of the Isthmus
The impression that the Nicaraguan por-
ton of the isthmus is unusually unhealthy
is erroneous On the contrary. the local
conditions are such that, with ordinary
hygienic precautions, the risks from dis
ease are slight. The frequent rainfall on
the east coast furnishes an ample supply of
fresh, soft water condensed directly from
the clouds; the porous, sandy soil absorbs
it so rapidly as to prevent stagnation, while
animal refuse is quickly removed by the
seavenger birds and fish continually on the
alert for food.
With their light, loose clothing, vegeta-
bic diet and cleanly habits the natives
seldom suffer from fevers. Even our un-
aeclimated Americans passing from a rig
orous winter temperature to the mild re-
gion of the trade winds were, with few ex-
ceptions, exempt from febrile complaints
and among the large number of engineers
sent out there was no mortality in the
country. The constant motion of the wind
sweeping through this low divide, appears
TO remove the noxious exhalations which
characterize other portions of the isthmus
Yellow fever finds no habitat at Greytown,
and even when imported it does not be-
come epidemic. Abstemious habits and
careful police of camps will insure as good
health among labOrers as viii be found in
localities IN ha clS
mate would affect the labor question, there
fore, chiefly by the lassitude resulting from
the enervating influence
To provide ample facilities for the safe
and expeditions passage of vessels, the
trunk of the waterway has been consid-
erably enlarged over that of any previous
project. The dimensions adopted by the
Commission as the basis OF the estimates
are as follows:
The canal nowhere is to be less than
thirty feet in depth, the width varying
with the local conditions as follows: From
Greytown Harbor to Boca San Carlos the
bottom width to be $50 feet, with slopes
in earth of IL and in alluviaI soil of 12
In hard rock vertical sides 40 feet from the
bottom, with slopes 81 In soft rocks the
slopes 10 be 81. In the river the width
at bottom 10 be 800 feet, with slopes Of IL,
with eniargements at the bends, and at
the eastern end of the lake the excavation
10 be coo wide at the outer end, decreasing
TO 300 feet at the river, and having slopes
of l5 TO the depth of feet and then 1.3.
For all routes from the Caribbean Sea to
the lake excepting the Menocal route, the
same dimensions are used.
The bottom width of the canal from the
lake TO the Pacific is to be $50 feet, with
slopes as on the east side, and the COM
putations have been based upon minimum
lake elevation of 104 above mean sea level.
Caribbean Sea as a datum. The minimum
radius is limited TO 5000 feet, with enlarge
ments OF width in bends varying according
10 the degree of curvature
The locks are s0x3Gx665 between ouoins.
giving an available length of $50 feet with
variable lifts. Estimates were also made
upon numerous notifications of the above
dimensions
Nicnruguan Geology.
To secure the best location for the canal
careful attention has been given to the
physical features of the Isthmus and their
adaptation to the purpose. 1t is an inter-
esting and peculiar feature of this route
that IN early geologic time the lake was
evidently an arm or bay of the Pacific
Ocean, while the Continental Divide ira
versed the lsthmus to the eastward in the