El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-11-03
CanaIAIOag The
Coast Of Mexico
About Completed
War Interrupts the Traffic
Problem Gen. Diaz Had
Under Way.


Mexico City, Mex Nov. $40 one
factor has probably contributed more
to the development Of the wonderful
oil fields Of the Gulf coast region
OF Mexico than the -Tuxpan
intercoastaI canal This waterway
is used extensively for the transDor-
tation Of materials ana supplies TO
the different producing fields that
are situated along its course The
project had its inception long before
it was known that petroleum existed
in that region. Although the open
ing Of the revolutionary period and
the busting OF Porfirio Diaz from the
presidential chair caused a cessation
OF the construction OF tne canal. It's
competed part is in constant use.
and even the unfinished stretcn gives
accommodation 10 small boats that
IN the aggregate carry an enormous
amount OF traffic in the course Of
year. The canal is l04 miles cong
anu connects the I-anuco and Tux
pam rivers.
Like most other big industrial en-
lerprlses Ia Mexico. the Tampico- Tux
pam canal owes its conception and
construction to an American, Capt
Charles shillaber. Of Chicago. As far
narrow swallow waterway connect
ING the Fanuco and TuEpam rivers. Il
vas broken by many pOrtages, but
served as a means for small boat
lrarric between the two rivers.
In 1890 Capt Shillaber. who was
a retired steamship captain and
drainage contractor. came 10 Tampico
on pleasure trip. He saw the posi-
plnlies OF converting the little pre-
tense OF a canal into broad and
deem channel rsn H-f
the project before president Diaz. The
cnle1 executive gave his approval Of
the improvement scheme. Capt Shil-
laDer was given the contract for
Dredging the canal He received as I
ms compensation 10 percent on the
amount Of money expended Up TO
the time the construction work ceased
on account OF the revolution the work
had cost more than f5.000,00O in gold, Z
what It Means.
The TuUpam river is a deep and I
broad stream and but for the fact that Z
there IS sandbar at its mouth where I
70 empties into the Gulf Of Mexico I
boats could come in and take away I
the prodlcts OF the plantations The ]
trip between TuZpam and Tampico I
by way OF the gulf is a hazardous I
one for small boats on account Of the 4
high gales that frequently prevail I
A trip between Tampico and TuNnam I
BY way OF the canal, when 10 Is fin i
ished, ordinary lake boats can make ]
in Il hours
Lying between Tampico and Tux /
pam Is Lake Iamlahua, which is IS l
miles long and from five 70 90 miles I
vide tiFe rivers Flow into this lake, I
but it has a connection with the gulf .
and its water IS salty. The depth 4
Of the lake Is from three TO Is feet.
lt Is shallow IN most places. however. D
and in the building Of the canal 4
H "a
utilized in but few places.
Preparatory TO beginning work on I
the canal Capt ShiLlaber constructed I
four dredges at Tampico. The first I
the Iampico end OF the canal on
March 10. 1903 The deem water har-
Dor at Iampic0 Is in the Panuco river.
which has Uniform depth or SO
feet at that place. The intercoastal
canal connects with the Panuco river
opposite large private wharves-
Heavy construction work was en-
,ountered during the first few miles
Of the canal At one place a rock
the water about Is feet had TO be ex-
awaited for distance OF half a mile.
The canal has width Of 3 feet and
It's depth IS 1893 feet The bottom
1f the lagoon IS hard packed with
shells and the dredEe work was nee
sssarily slow in sume places.
HELPS Reclaim Land.
The excavation work that Is 70 be
lone on the second division OF the
anal Is heavier than that which was
encountered on the first S. miles T.
g estimated that about 100000
'ublc meters OF material VIII have TO
be moved on the second division The
somnleted portion OF the canal Is al
-eadv carving large amount OF
rattle. The comuieted part OF the
anal Is also serving a good purpose
n DRAINING large tracts Of land which {
we're under water prior TO Its con- I
TRACTION. This reclaimed land IS be- Z
ne placed in cultivation and Is adj I
linz its share to the wealth OF the :
cgfou. :
The Mexican government has made :
no public announcement as to Its