Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-08

known. This was the first systematic eff
fort ever organized with this object, but
1t marked the beginning of a series of SINH
lar attempts which have increased in mag
nttude and frequency irregularly to the
present day. For nearly half century
these efforts took the form of search for
a supposed strait through the American
isthmuS. When at last the numbefiess
fruitleSs efforts convinced the world that
such a strait did not exist, the dream was
changed to one of a canal to be cut through
the isthrnus, and later It was proposed to
construct railway capable of transferring
loaded vessels across.
Proposed Ship Railways.
The project of a ship railway was pro-
NOTED by the state of Honduras with refer
ence to a line across it's own territory, con-
Meeting the harbors of Puerto Caballos on
the Atlantic and La Union on the Pacific.
This route was examined by the British
Honduras Interoceanic Railway Company,
and Is said to offer many attractions as a
route for railway transit.
The ship-rajlway route that has received
the most attention however Is that across
the fsthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico.
This route was first explored about 1920 and
its advantages utilized by the Spaniards in
the transportation of shipbuilding ma
terials. 1t was later abandoned and almost
forgotten, until, in 1711, an expedition was
fitted out to examine and report upon the
topography of the isthmus and the practi-
animation was very superficial, and 1t was
reported that tlde-level canal was feasi-
bic. Another examination was made thirty
years later, but without result After the
Independence of Mexico was established an
examination was made by Gen. Juan Orbe-
gozo, who reported the canal project as
predetermined and gigantic
In 1872 Don Jose de Garay obtained from
the Mexican government charter for a
canal or railway across the isthmus of Te-
huantepec and appointed commission to
make survey of the route. 1t reported
the summit of the route to be 6S4 feet, and
recommended the employment of the Chi
capa and the Ostuta rivers as parts of a
canal line. The length of the canal in ex-
Cavation was to be about fifty miles, and
161 locks were to be constructed. A fur
Their examination and partial reSurvey was
made under the same concession, In 1912,
and more detailed Information obtained.
Carrying Ships by Rail.
Many years after this Capt James B.
Eads turned his attention to this route.
After some investigation and discussion the
project for canal was abandoned on ac-
count of the large number of locks and
great cost. Captain Eads adopted the idea
Of ship railway over this route, and
worked out elaborate plans, which have
since been perfected and advocated by Mr.
Elmer L. Corthell. C. E. This project pro-
poses twelve parallel rails, upon which is to
be run huge carriage, supporting the en-
tire ship and cargo as in dry dock. Bends
will be provided for when necessary by
means of turn tables. The motive power
is to be two huge locomotives, which rest
upon six rails. To provide for the passage
OF ships going in opposite directions and
for repairs, turnouts are to be conveniently
placed. the change of direction from the
main track being effected by turn table,
The ship railway project however, has
never succeeded in attaining the degree of
popular approval that has been bestowed
upon canal propositions. The general SEN
tment appears to be summed up in the cpl
grammatc expression, "A ship is never so
well borne as when water borne" The
canal routes which have attained the great
est degrees of public favor are the Atrato
San Bias, Panama and Nicaragua. .
Perfectly Practicable
1t is now definitely settled, as stated by
the commission, that the Nicaragua canal
is practicable proposition, all the serious
difficulties being either eliminated or a
method of solution pointed out. The cost
with depth of thirty feet or more
Throughout, with locks large enough to re-
celve the largest war vessel afoat, safe
narbors at each end. and all constructions
OF me safest and most permanent charac-
ter. Will probably be about S125 1904 900
Whether not it will be worth that
amount to the American people is another
question.