Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-02-12


completed.
From the ages of the dynasties of
shepherd kings and Pharsohs a "low
Nlen or "higb Nile" has meant
dearth or plenty 10 Egypt. In proper.
ton as the river spread its fertilizing
waters in flood time along its banks
the crop oil he season was assured. III
for one or more years 10 succession its
volume fell short famine stared the peo'
pie 10 the face.
Imperial Rome depended largely on
the granaries Of Egypt for the daily
bread OF her populsc', but in her great
constructive days she failed 10 iusnre
the constancy of supplies in grain and
other products OF Esypt's soil which is
confidently anticipated by the ap.
preaching regulation of the rise and fall
of the ii ecient river.
Just two years have passed since the
foundation stone of the great Nile dam
at Assouan was laid. 1t was bedded on
high portion Of solid rock and was
placed by the Duke of Connaught.
Across the river which ia a mile
broad there, the massive wall has
been steadily built up of ashler granite,
welding together the rocks which form
the dangerous First Cataract. The
length Of the dam is about 5000 feet.
Its strength had 10 be designed TO hold
in r, serve for purposes of irrigation a
great mass of water.
When the river is in food its waters
will gush through the massive slnice
gates. ID the autumn months the
sluice gates will he closed until the
reservoir thus formed is full and ready
10 be distributed by channels over the
egricultursl land on each side. When
the water is most wanted Cn Aukust
and Apri) for the crops OF COIN, sugar,
cotton end rice the supply 10 the lower
river will be increased from The reser.
voir, and thus fairly even supply OF
water will be afforded throughout the
year. A canal with numerous locks Is
to bs constructed TO give pssssge 10 the
Nile steamers and other traffic.
Commercially the value OF the dam to
EgyIt in the iuturecan hardly be estl'
mated. Is immediate effect, accord
ing to the Egg ptian Governments
engineer will be TO bring under cultivs-
tion 600 900 additional acres OF land
This js in addition 10 putting csrtaiu
dislricls and levels beyond the ordinary
risks of flood and drought. An area OF
| s 600 coo acres, now in fair cultiSa lon
| in be converted into land Of the fret
efficeucy 10 CROP producing qualities
| Over the whole areaSir William Gsrstin
the Secretary OF State for Public Works
| believes the value OF summer crops will
be increased By ss much as $50 an acre
Esypt's resources for growing corn and
cotton vii! thus be immensely enhanced
81 are likely to bring her forward az
a COMPETITOR in the worlds markets.
| From the engineering point OF view
the stupendous nature Of the under
taking will be real;z,d from the
effect it will have Of creating
practically lake 144 miles lone
lmpounding more than 100000 O0C
toas of water. At some periods of the
wear. It is said, 100000 tons minute
will eueh through the sluices. The
dam will raise the river about 66 leel
above its usual previous level. 1t il
broad enough for carriage road to rur
along its top.
| Nowhere else in the Nile valley, sayI
Sir Benjamin Baker, who has carried
out the work, were to bs found suct
advantages OF site, sound rock, numer
GUS islands aud shadows in which tC
work. TIE openings of the sluices ar,
to be lined with cast iron one and
a.halfinches thick, so SO effsctually tt
guard against the destruction from the
constant impact OF large volumes OF wa
Ter at high velocity. The width of th'
base of the dam has been made sucf
that the pressure on the solid granite
"a masonry will be less than that on any
OF the other great dams OF the world.