The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1911-10-13


cent is the word which might fitting
ly 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, 1918, or over one year be-
fore the date previously announced for
its Inauguration, was at first received
with some hesitation. Now, however,
an examination of the colossal work
that is being rushed to completion in
Mirafiores, Pedro Miguel and Gatun,
and the surprising way the Culebra
Cut is advanced has convinced the
most incredulous that Colonel Goe-
thal's 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
ultimately 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 DISSEMINATING. the
tsranger 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 a northeast direction
from Toro Lighthouse Point across
the harbor. All along this trestle rock
and stones are being dumped to form
a breakwater whose ultimate 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 a minimum
the silt that may be washed into
the channel of the Canal and also to
protect the inner basin of the harbor,
which leads to the entrance of the
Canal, from the northerly gales which
January and which not infrequently
do much damage to the shipping and
coastline.
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 dock
simultaneously. Powerful tugs, each
towing large barges laden with sand
and rock for the locks from Porto
Bello (some twenty miles from Colon
along the Eastern coast and now a
fairly large American settlement, }
may possibly be in sight on their way
through the Canal to Gatum, seven
miles distant from Colon. II the
above bespeaks activity around Colon
Harbor, the activity will be seen to be
greater when Gatum 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
Gatum Lake, artificially formed by a
monster dam which impounds the
waters of the River Chagres and its
tributaries.
The steam shovels, 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 pendulum or the beat
of a pulse. Large buckets filled with
concrete are passing noiselessly over
head along the steel cables and depos
iting their contents at the desired
spot The whole scene is one well
calculated to inspire admiration for
the manner in which the work is be-
ing performed.
What applies to Gatum 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.
What the sanitary department Of
the Canal Commission has accom-
plished in cleansing the Canal Zone of
yellow fever and other disease is well