The times., 1900-12-30

1t is interesting to note not only the
| rapid increase in the number of vessels
which have used the canal. but the great
| increase in the size of the vessels. This
| is more clearly shown in the figures of
1885 than 1890. for in 1890 there were
231 less vessels passed through the canal
than in 1885, and yet 1880 shows an in
crease over 1885 of 554.341 tons.
The Suez Canal cost something over
| St00 900. 900. of which, it is said, only 5S
per cent was actually spent in construc-
tion. It's building involved the removal
of 100, 100000 cubic yards OF sand, which
was mostly dug by Arab slaves with their
hands and carried in baskets to the dump
ing ground. The work was commenced
in 1853. and the canal was opened to
commerce November II. 1869, or ten and
onehalf years later. The company to
build ii was incorporated in 1855 with
a capital of S4s, 600, 600.
There were 100000 shares IL the cor
poration, bearing per cent interest,
which was to be paid during construction.
France was the motive power in the
construction of the canal but England
by the subsequent purchase of 10000
shares at l13, now quoted at $50, sue
ceeded to the French control These
shares have received as high as % per
cent in annual DIVIDENDS. The traffic
on the canal has exceeded even the ex-
pectations Of its builders. In recent years
the receipts from tolls have reached
S1i,0G0.000 annually. In 1886 the canal was
lit by electric light thus almost doubling
its capacity, and the time of transit has
now been reduced from 80 hours and 5S
minutes to % hours and minutes The
average tonnage of vessels using the canal
in 1890 was 1889. and the average charge
for the passage OF such a vessel was
1886.
When the canal WIS first opened the
tells were 81 per ton capacity for each
ship and 81 for each passenger In 1885
these rates were reduced TO s1.S5 per ton
capacity. Such tolls are prohibitory for
low-grade freights, and these still go
around the capes.
The Suez Canal is sa9 miles long. aver
ages 72 feet wide on the bottom and about
1856 feet on top. The water in the canal
Will average depth of &c ia feet the en-
tire length. The enlargement of this wa
terway would be profitable undertaking
and it will not be long before it is done.
for the increase in draft of freight car
riers makes 35 feet the necessary depth
for any waterway which proposes 10 be
available for any vessel which may come
along
The Suez Canal as an accomplished fact
has faded more or less from the minds of
the people of the world as one of the
marvels of the past century, but it stands |
even today as an achievement with few
parallels. It's building cost the lives of
thousands OF men. It's current changed !
the channels of trade throughout the |
world, made and unmade ports, built and |
unbuilt cities. 1t has been feature of |
European stateeraft for centuries as !
proposition and a threat, and finally as |
a completed fact.
The crininality exercised in it's build |
ing was colossal in its impudence and !
splendor. rhe naturalization of the Suez /
Canal was the accomplishment of great |
intrigues and tremendous crimes. The !
Panama scheme, born and carried to dis /
aster in the momentum of the Suez ac- !
was a marvel OF petty lar |
cenies from widows and orphans, its oper-
ationS consisting of vast aggregates of 4
lesser crimes. In the ca Sc of Suez it was
a great and successful confidence game. in
which France was the bunco steerer and
Egypt the victim, while England, thai Wig
liant guardian of her own interests. stood .
by ready to reap advantage in time OF all |
that might be done.