The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-05-05
PANAMA AND EARTHQUAKES.

Since the recent earthquake in CAL
ifornia there has been much specula-
ton as to the danger of such an event
to the Panama canal when it shall
have been completed 1t is we'll known
that the territory of the canal has fire.
Quently been subject to slight Shocks
Just how severe they were can not be
determined because of the lack of
scientific instruments in that country
for recording the same. And barring
these the force can only be judged by
the effects upon the structures. Had
there been no buildings in San Fran
cisco the force would not have been
known only as the scientific instru-
ments recorded them. This is proven
by the fact that outside the city with
its high buildings. the shock was hard
ly noticeable. 1t may be possible that
there have been earthquakes in
Panama, and that the absence of high
buildings has made them noticeable.
But whether the country is subject
to these disturbances or not does not
concern the matter of building the
canal.
in this age such works can not be
delayed or abandoned because of the
uncertainty of an event which may
never occur.
1t does have some bearing, however,
on the determination as to the char
acter OF canal, which shall be built.
1t has been mooted question as to
which was best-a Sea level or a
lock canal Aside from the matter of
time required and the consequent cost
of the sea level over the lock plan,
the result of an earthquake upon the
one or the other is very material
point
'Ah SASiueei vi lllSu SldluluS is
authority for the statement that an
ocean level canal would suffer more
damage from this cause than a lock
one. His arguments are based upon
the theory that tidal wave in
variably follows an earthquake and
that one like that which swept over
Galveston would do immense damage
TO the ditch, and that the locks in a
lock plan would prevent this.
To the lay mind 1t does not seem
reasonable that if locks can be con-
structed sufficiently strong to with
stand the force of the tidal wave that
it would not be possible to build the
canal in the same way. 1t must be
remembered too that the locks would
be so constructed that they would re-
ceive the full force of the wave by
resisting it's passage. while the canal
would receive part, because much
of the force would pass unimpeded.
The engineer seems also to have
over looked the destructive effect of
the earthquake upon the locks them
selves. If the power of an earthquake
is sufficient to rend the buildings in
pieces and to break the water mains of
city, is it not reasonable to conclude
that the masonry of the locks and dams
would not withstand its force?
Their destruction would mean the
emptying of the upper levels of the
canal and the rebuilding of the locks.
a sea level plan would permit the
wave. IN the event there should be one,
to pass through the canal. and the only
danger that could arise would be that
the force of the water upon the sides
Of the structure. No damage to the
earth formation could effect the water
supply for that would be the same as
the ocean level.
From these facts it would seem that
the engineer who believes that the sea
level plan is not advisable is either
in error or i'll advised.
ADVERTISING THE GAMES.