The Pensacola journal., 1906-07-13
Deep Waterway
Lakes to the Cuff.

One of the biggest canal proposi-
tions that has been considered in many
years is the scheme for channel from
the great lakes to the Gulf OF Mexico.
and there is hardly question but that
It will be eventually constructed. The
matter is now taking definite form and
It Is only a question Of time until
actual work on the project will be conf
menced. The New Orleans Picayune
Of yesterday contained the following
relative to the scheme:
The Chicago Commercial Associa-
ton Is body Of citizens devoted TO-
the great commercial interests Of their
western metropolis, the second city in
the Union.
The board of directors Of that Or
ganization has had before it for some
three months past the consideration OF
q deep waterway from the great north
ern lakes to the Gulf Of Mexico. After
a careful study of the subject, re-
port has been made, in which the COM
ihittee to which the matter was In
trusted has unanimously reported In
favor of the construction of a nayiga-
BILE waterway which will give a directI
route for vessels of considerable size
from Lake Michigan to the Mssissip-
ri river and thence southwark to the
sea.
The famous Chicago Drainage Ca
nal, by which the flow of a large body
of water is established from Lake.
xha lot n
Illinois rivers TO the Mississippi, is to|
be the beginning of the route. This
canal was constructed by the city of
Chicago at a cost of $50000,000, to-
carry the drainage and sewerage of
that city away from the lake and into
the Illinois river, which is a tributary
of the Mississippi. The canal, from
Lake Michigan to Lockport, where the
Des PLANES river Is reached, Is thirty
three miles long, averages width Of
200 feet. carries 300. 900 cubic feet of
water per minute with a minimum
depth of % feet.
Very considerable vessels can pass
through Ii, and to make a sufficient
connection with the Mississippi river
there would be required work on the
Illinois river estimated to cost about
$30.000,000. The Mississippi river is
being improved by the Mississippi Riv-
er Commission at the cost of the ma
tional government. and In the course
OF time a clear and fairly deep chan
mel will be secured for vessels all the
way from St Louis down. The dis
tance from Chicago TO the mouth of
the Illinois river is 32S miles, of which
the Chicago Canal gives a completed
route for 33 miles, leaving 295, which
the national government Is to be ask
ed to build, the Chicago Canal to be
turned over to the federal authorities.
Such a water route would not only
be OF great value to Chicago, but to
the entire upper Mississippi valley.
Moreover, Il would enable the United
States to move warships into and out
OF the northern lakes without, as is
now the case, having to pass through
foreign territory
That there will be in due course
ship channel all the way from the great
lakes and through the upper Mississip-
pi river to the Gulf of Mexico, Is not
to be doubted. 1t will be able to carry
vessels OF some Is to Is feet draft,
which could go to sea direct from Chi
cago and from Minneapolis and st.
Paul. 1t Is not supposed that the great
steamers which are now coming into
common use for transoceanic service
will ever be able to penetrate into
the country by such a channel. but
nevertheless it will be OF great value.
and VIII one day be completed.