Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-13
Tickets of Passage for Ships of
Any Size Will Be Sold Sat
urday, Aug. Is, Four and a
Half Months Ahead of Time
GIGANTIC TASK COM.
PLETED IN TEN YEARS
Government Steamer Christobal
Will Be First Vessel to Pass
Will Save Two Months on
Voyage Around the Horn

WASHINGTON. Aug. 12.--More than
four months ahead of the date set
when the Board Of Consulting Engi-
neers in 1906 estimated that IL would
take until January, 1918, to complete
the Panama canal along the lines then
underway the United States govern
ment finds itself ready to begin bust
ness next Saturday in selling tickets
of passage to ships of all nations
through the new gateway.
1t is Just ten years since the govern
nicnt advertised its purpose to connect
the oceans. 1t is nearly 400 years since
a Spanish engineer first suggested such
a project.
For a time the epoch which this tri-
unlph of engineering marks will pass
unnoticed so far as eelebra tiens go, for
it is not until next spring that the
great demonstration will be made, but
from next Saturday on, the Panama
canal will be an accomplished fact, and
the worlds commerce win gradually
accustom itself to this new grove.
What it will mean to the world at
large, and to particular nations, and
especially to the United States, is
controversy has waged, now to be
answered by the Canal itself
After the passage of government
steamer next Saturday, probably the
Cristobal, any ship up to 10000 tons
register, applying for admission to the
Pacific from the Atlantic, or Vice YER
sa, may be conducted through the so
miles waterway upon payment of $125
for every ton (neO of cargo. Crew and
passengers will not be taxed.
At this nominal expense some two
months sailing time, on a 10000 miles
voyage around the South American
continent may be saved, or the expense
of transhipment by railroad done away
with, If desired.
The canal has cost the United States
nearly $400,000,000. That is approx
mately what De Lesseps, the French
engineer, inquired it would cost when
he undertook the job in 1889, but he
spent that and more, in making only
a slight impression, and ended in ut
ter failure and financial disgrace.
A year from this time 1t is figured
the government will have to show re-
ceipts of some $l5,000,00 to pay the
operating cost of the canal, which will
be about 100000 yearly, and the in
terest on its huge investment. Whether
it will be able to do so this year or
for many years is moot question.
Traffic experts have estimated that
100000 tons of freight will be car
ried through the canal every year
for the first few years, and that later
it will be nearly doubled. This. rough
ly, has been the experience at the
Suez canal. Last year nearly 5000
ships passed through the Suez, with a
ret tonnage of over 20,000.000. The
growth in tonnage In 10 years had
been more than 70 per cent.
First blast on Culsbra Hill, now
Culebra Cut, on January 10, 1880, by
the De Lesseps Company. in the pres
ence Of distinguished gathering.
First failure: In 1887 the impossibili-
ty Of digging a sea-level canal within
the estimated IL years and at the es-
timated cost Of $24O, O00. 900 became APP
parent. More than $3.50. 100000 had al
ready been spent. The company went
into bankruptcy.
First work on a lock canal was taken
up by the New Panama canal company
in 1894, which practically ceased oper-
atoms after five years work.
First Digging by Americans, May 4.
1904. taking over the rights and pro-
perry OF the French Canal Company,
and obtaining necessary concession
from the Republic of Panama.