The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-10-14
FINE PROGRESS MADE
ON PANAMA CANAL
Cut in the Culebra Hills Is Giving the
Most Trouble at the Present Time
Because of Slides.

Colon, Panama, Oct. l4.-Magnificent
Is the word which might fittingly de-
scribe the progress made on the CON
struction OF the Panama canal. The
statement Of Colonel George w. Goe-
thals, chief engineer OF the canal that
the canal would be finished in Septem-
Der, 1918, or over one year before the
date previously announced for its in.
auguration, was at first received with
some hesitation Now. however, an ex-
animation Of the colossal work that is
being rushed TO completion in MiraAores,
Pedro Miguel and Gatun, and the sur
prising way the Cuebra cut is ad-
yanced has convinced the most incredu-
lous that Colonel 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 engineer
ing 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 ulti-
mately exeavated. The engineers, how
ever, in charge of the work are conf
dent 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 strang-
er to the isthmus on arriving ut Colon,
the Atlantic terminus of the canal
viii 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 sea.
wards for over one and a half miles in
northwest direction from Toro light
house point across the harbor. All along
this trestle rock and stones are being
dumped to form breakwater whose ul-
innate length from shore will be about
two miles. The estimated cost of this
breakwater is five and a half million
dollars. 1t is being built TO reduce to
minimum the silt that may be washed
into the channel to the canal, and also
to protect the inner basin of the har-
bor. which leads to the entrance of the
canal from the northerly gales which
usually obtain here from October TO Jan
nary and which not infrequently 90
much damage to the shipping and coast
line.
These piers will be roomy enough TO
permit several large liners TO dock ST.
multaneously. Powerful tugs, each tow
ing large barges laden with sand rocks
for the locks from Porto Bello some
twenty miles from Colon along the east
ern coast and now a fairly large Amer
lean settlementl, may possibly be in
sight on their way through the canal
TO Gatun, seven miles distant from
Colon. II the above bespeaks activity
around Colon harbor, the activity will
be seen to. be greater when Gatun is
reached 1t is here the canal ceases to
be sea level and reaches the three giant
locks which will lift all ships eighty
five feet and enable them to pass into
the Gatun lake artifcially formed by
a monster dam which impounds the wa
tiers OF the River Chagres and its tribu
taries.
The steam shoyels, Of which there are
several types and sizes, are eating away
the dirt from the mountain slopes or
digging deep down into the earth with
a regularity that suggests the swing Of
a pendulum or the beat OF pulse.
Large buckets filled with concrete are
passing noiselessly over head along the
steel cables and depositing their con
tents at the desired spot. The whole
scene is one well calculated to inspire
admiration for the manner in which tie
work is being performed.
What applies to Gatun applies also
to the other various sections along the
canal, all tending TO convince the OBJ
server that the possibility of opening
the canal before the date officially fixed
is no empty boast.