Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-05
COST OF NICARAGUA ROUTE,
Tho Estimates in Excess of Any Heretofore
Mndc on Account of Increased Dimen-
sions and Other Features Condition
of Construction Work Alrendy Perform
ed Estimated Cost of tho Different Di
Visions Panama Route Benefits That
VIII Accrue to the U. S. From Canal.
tBy Telegraph to vlrginlan-Pnot,

n,
mitted by the President to congress to-
day, gives as the unanimous conclu-
sion OF that body that the most prac-
tlcable and feasible route for an 18TH
milan canal under the control, manage
ment ana ownership oil the United
States, is that known rs the Nicaragua
route. The commission estimates the
cost OF this route at $500 $40 600 This
cStlmate is much in excess of any here
toiore made. and is due 10 increased di-
mansions and other features not here
tofore considered. The commission also
estimates the cost OF Il canal by the
Panalna route ut $lI2,342, $40, according
to one route, or $l56,37S 25S ACCORDING, to
another route. AS between the Mica
rasua and Pandma route the commits
sion sums up IL number Of advantages
favorable to the former.
1t states also that under the conces-
sion given by the government of Col
onnia to the Panama Canal Company
mat government is not free to grant
the necessary rights to the United
states, except upon conditions made by
the company.
THE NICARAGUAN ROUTE.
Along the Nicaragua it was found
that the short section of partially con-
structed canal Is perhaps in as good
shape to-day as it was when the work
was stopped
The buildings, however, arc all rotten
ana me dredSes, boats, etc, are worth
less. The commission visited President
Zeiaya and other leading officials OF
Nicaragua and found them greatly in
teresled In the project The occupa-
tion OF their territory by the United
States for canal purposes did not seem
10 be regarded as IL serious obstacle
provided the sovereignty of the repub-
lie was respected. Along the Panama
route the commission found Il large
torce OF workmen engaged upon the
calni me about 1000 i'll number ac-
cording to the Panama Company. The
canal had been opened TO some ex-
tent at both ends
NO value should be given to the
plant now on the lsthmus. a visit was
also made TO President Iglesias. of
Costa Rica. and his cabinet ANA a
strong sentiment found To exist for an
American canal along the Nicaragua
route Trips We're also made along the
Darien route.
DIMENSIONS.
The commission having in mind the
increasing size OF ocean going vessels.
was determined to fix upon depth
oil thirty-iive feet at mean low water
ana a bottom width of 1850 feet. wirh
some Increase OF dimensions at certain
points. These dimensions are larger
IMAM those proposed for any previous
canal scheme.
the very largest ships to pass each
other in the canal, while the locks are
OF dimension TO permit even the
laiSest ships ailoat to be manoeuvred
The size OF locks is 40 feet length. 81
feet width, in the clear, with a depth
of 80 feet.
The Nicaragua route adopted follows
essentially the lines laid down by the
Nicaragua canal commission in its re-
port of ls91-'99. j begins near Grey
town. on the Atlantic side follows the
san Juan river. enters Lake Nicaragua
&c nj rif
side. The distance from ocean TO ocean
Is about lS6 miles. Plans are given for
the great harbors required at Grey
town and Erito. The most difficult
engineering work is the dam across
the San Juan river 10 regulate the
water of the lake. on whose construc-
ton hinges largely the time required
to build the canal.
TIME OF BUILDING.
The commission says eight wears
would probably be q reasonable esti-
mate for the time of building it. At
least two years will be consumed in
preparatory work and opening n har-
Dor at Greytown SO that IF work on
the dam should be commenced mme-
diatey thereafter the time required for
completing the entire work will be
about ten years.
ESTIMATED COST.
The commission then submits the fol-
Nicaragua route:
Eastern division (from Greyton to
Boca San Carlos damp $50 662 0O0
Middle division (from Boca San Car
los dam to Las Lajas), SIS 1875 900.
western division from Las Lajas 10
Brito). 1850. 600.
Eighty-nne miles of railroad, ST.
100000.
Total. s167.117.0O
Engineering. police, sanitation, and
general contingencies, $33, 423. 900.
Aggregate, $500. 900
This estimate provides for double
system of locks. but single iockase
system would reduce the cost Sl9.67S,-
600. Narrowing the bottom one-third
Will permit further reduction of SlG.-
049.OOO. This would bring the estimated
cost down to sl63. $4,000.
THE PANAMA ROUTE.
Concerning the Panama route, the
commission says its natural attraction
lies in the combination of very mar
row isthmus with n low summit The
estimated cost of construction totals
$11S,GlS,Sl6. while The engineering. po-
lice, sanitation, and general contin-
gencies swells the aggregate estimate
to S142.342,579.
This estimate Is capable of reduction
to 1894 ,215 If single locks and Il mar
row bottom are adopted. An alterna-
tive estimate is submitted. based on
having the Alhajuela dam built to i'm
pound the water of the upper Chagres.
This estimate is Sl5s37S 25S
The commission reports that the val