The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1911-10-31
magnificent PROGRESS
ON THE PANAMA CANAL

Coion, Panama, Oct. 31.-Magnifi-
cent is the word which might fittinglv
describe the progress made on the
construction of the Panama Canal.
The statement of Colonel George w.
Goethals, Chief Engineer of the canal.
that the canal would be finished in
September, 1913, or over one year be-
fore the date previously announced
for its inauguration, was at first re-
ceived with some hesitation. Now,
however, an examination of the colos-
sal work that is being rushed to COM
pletion in Mirafiores, Pedro Miguel
and Gatun, and the surprising way
the Culebra Cut is advanced has CON
WINGED the most incredulous that Col.
Cocktails estimate of completion in
1913 will be borne out.
The point which seems to offer the
greatest difficulties throughout the
whole canal is the cut in the Culebra
Hills and this. not on account of engi-
neering problems, but because of the
many slides occurring from the loose
earth. These slides confuse estimates
as to the number of cubic yards to be
ultiamtely excavated. The engineers.
however, in charge of the work are
confident that these difficulties are by
no means insuperable and will, in no
way, retard the date set for opening
the canal.
Even before disembarking, the
stranger to the Isthmus on arriving at
Colon, the Atlantic terminus of the
canal, will be struck by the unusual
activity visible in every direction in
the harbor. His attention will first be
directed to the long trestle already
stretching Stewards for over one and
half miles in northeast direction
from Toro Lighthouse Point across
the harbor. All along this trestle rock
and stones are being dumped to form
breakwater whose ultimate length
from shore will be about two miles
The estimated cost of this breakwater
uOlldfS.
being built to reduce to minimum
the silt that may be washed into
the channel of the canal, and also Ia
protect the inner basin of the harbor
which leads to the entrance of the
canal from the northerly gales which
usually obtain here from October tc
January and which not infrequently
do much damage to the shipping and
coast1ine.
The eye following the coastline will
soon be attracted towards the mas
sive piers which, begun about three
months ago and to cost ultimately
several million dollars, already stretch
out for nearly half mile into the
harbor from Cristobal Point.
These piers will be roomy enough
to permit several large liners to docl
simultaneously. Powerful tugs, eacf
towing large barges laden with sane
and rock for the locks from Porte
Bello (some twenty miles from Color
along the Eastern coast and now
fairly large American settlement
may possibly be in sight on their way
through the canal to Gatun, sever
miles distant from Colon. If thu
above bespeaks activity around Color
Harbor. the activity will be seen to b,
greater when Gatun is reached. 1t il
here the canal ceases to be sea leve
and reaches the three giant lock-
which will lift all ships eighty-fiv,
feet and enable them to pass into tn,
Gatun Lake, artificallv formed by
monster dam which impounds tn.
waters of the River Chagres and it
tributaries.
The steam shovels. of which Their