The sun., 1908-11-24
GkTUN DAN COLLAPSE STORY
PANAMA HEARS FLOODS HAVE
MADE A HOLE IN 1T.
Chagres River Said 10 he Running over
Site where 80 Feet Barrier IVES
Reared Washington Doesn't Know
ofIt-DOubts 90 10 the Feunda iOn.

Reared Washington Doesn't Know
ofN-Doubts 90 10 the Feunda tion.
spsetdI Cabis Dsspaieh 10 The SUN.
sPAHAhA, Nov. 2S.-The Journal pub
fishes sensational story to the effect
that owing to the recent rains section
Of the unfinished 0atuh dam. which was
built forty feet above the sea level, was
destroyed last night
A portion Of 1t e5 feet wide. so feet
deep and 20 feet high. according to the
story. sunk into the earth until the top Of
the dam was level with the surrounding q
surface.
The Chagres River Is said 10 be flowing
over the site and the railroad tracks. the
pumping station and the sides CT the lock
are under water.
II is stated that the scene Of the aooi-
dent Ia close to the spot where 1t is alleged
recent borings showed that there was q
lack of proper natural foundation
WASHINGTON. Nov, 2s.-Ofioials Of
the Canal Commission in this city say
that no report of any accident to the
Gatun dam has been received here,
During the preliminary investigation
Of the site for the proposed dam more
than 1000 borings we're made which dem
onstrated TO the satisfaction OF the en-
gin eers in charge Of the canal work that
the earth was solid enough to bear the
hat vynI ha iKr1r1Aua1
upon It by the lock walls. Some Of these
borings were as deep as 90 feet below
sea level,
The Gatun dam across the valley OF
the Chaercs River at the little village Of
Gatun some six miles from Colon on the
Caribbean side Of the Isthmus, will be
when completed about mile and half
long and will have q total elevation at
the crest OF 1856 feet above sea level.
This dam will control great lake some
225 miles in area. according to the detailed
surveys made last year.
The dam has been the cause OF much
worry to the builders Of the canal and OF
much discussion by various engineers.
In January, 1907, Information was brought
TO the attention Of the Senate Committee
on InterDa tional Canals TO the effect that
borlngs on the site OF the proposed dam
had developed. according to the report
OF John F. Stevens. the chief engineer.
stratum OF clay under which was soft
mud. The clay and mud, it was repre-
sented, would not be sufficiently firm to
support the dam. 1t was feared that the
discovery would compel the abandonment
OF the lock and dam plan and the subst-
tuition for II Of sea level canal. A few
days later, however, q report from
Engineer Stevens reached the Senate
committee denying the danger.
The plans call for the construction
of three pairs Of locks in series. each
having lift OF about twenty-eight feet,
In the hills about midway Of the dam.
Borings were made on the site OF these
locks and Mr., Stevens reported that i27
borings. covering an area 400 feet
square. showed to the satisfactio Of the
engineers that the three locks. Having
usable dimensions OF i6O feet wide by
1 900 feet long. with foundations for lock
walls at all points supported on firm and
suitable soft rock" could be built.
The results Of our continued explora-
tions' Mr.. Stevens's report continued,
-only confirm my previous Judgment
that we have amply aufflcient and per-
fectly safe foundations at all look sites"
Further investigating was done. how
ever. and In May Of last year engineers
specially employed reported that for the
most part the rock. beginning at few
feet below the top Of the test pits and ex-
tending to the bottom-over eighty feet
was a 6ne grained argiilaoeous sand
stone which tests proved sufficiently
strong to bear the weight which would
be put upon Il,
During last spring, however, more
doubts were raised Of the praoticability
OF the site.
Secretary Taft made the Gatun dam
site one OF the points to receive his special
attention when he visited the lsthmus In
March, 1907.