The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-02-04
The PANAMA CANAL.
American Plans Versus French.

Comparing the plan adopted by the
New Panama Canal Company with
that recommended by the Isthmian
Canal Commission the very different
circumstances under which their work
was done should remembered. This
difference lies not SO much in thectime
available for study as in the general
problem which each had to consider.
The French Company found itself
with an unfinished property on which
enormous sums had been expended,
which was worse than useless II its
present condi tion, and which could be
saved oaly by completing it IN the
shortest possible time and with the
least possible expenditure Of money
which was yet to be obtained. So
marked were these conditions that the
plan advocated by Gen. Abbot, OF two
lakes the level of the lower and larger
of which was to extend through the
Culebra cut, was rejected in favor OF
plan in which the summit levei was
placed at 45 feet above this lake and
reached from the lake by q fight of
two locks, while feeder Of complicated
and difficult construction was provided
TO supply the summit level from the
1pper lake above the Alhajuela dam.
This plan was but little less cost
IL than the plan which made the lake
the summit level, but was accepted be-
cause it was thought that it could be
completed in two years less time.
The French Company adopted bot
tom width generally Of about 100 feet
and depth of nine meters, about 29.5
feet, but in the portion of the canal
through the low country north of Bohio
the plans showed the original dimen-
sions adopted more than twenty years
ago by Lesseps with bottom width
Of ~ feet. It was also impressed with
the value of the work already done and
felt it necessary to use as much Of it
as was possible. The Isthmian Canal
Commission had different problem; 8,
the canal must be the one best adapt
ed to the demands OF commercial and
military service. The depth was in
creased to 35 feet, the bottom width to
$50 feet, and the greater the amount
OF free navigation with broad chanels
the better. Instead of using the old
channel of the contracted Lesseps di-
mensions between Bohio and Colon, its
plans we're based on full dimensions
here, although this enlargement in
yolved the removal Of very large por-
tion Of the spoil banks deposited when
the original excavation was made,
and made the amount of work to be
done here almost as great as if nothing
had ever been done. The Commis-
sion felt less bound by the value of
old work discarded partially completed
diversion channels which did not ap-
pear TO be In the best location, and
generally endesFored to get the canal
which would be most satisfactory
when done within reasonable limits
OF time and cost.
The Commissions plan lends itself
to the opening of the canal before
it is completed in its entirety. Much
of the structural work can be deferred
until the canal is actually put in ser
vice. The Gigantic spillway, the Bohio
dam, and the diversion channel west
of Gatun mnst be completed.
All the locks are in duplicate, but
the construction OF the second lock
-can be postponed till after the opening
of the canal. The provision for addi-
tional storage of water to supply the
waste Of the dry season can also be
deferred. George S. Morrison, in
The Engineering Magazine for jan
nary.