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Is a Ship Canal Practicable?: Notes, Historical and Statistical, Upon the Projected Routes for an Interoceanic Ship Canal Between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, in Which is Included a Short Account of the Character and Influence of the Canal of Suez, and the Probable Effects Upon the Commerce of the World of the Two Canals, Regarded Either as Rivals, or as Parts of One System of Interoceanic Navigation — John Shaqi

History

Is a Ship Canal Practicable?: Notes, Historical and Statistical, Upon the Projected Routes for an Interoceanic Ship Canal Between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, in Which is Included a Short Account of the Character and Influence of the Canal of Suez, and the Probable Effects Upon the Commerce of the World of the Two Canals, Regarded Either as Rivals, or as Parts of One System of Interoceanic Navigation

Name: Is a Ship Canal Practicable?: Notes, Historical and Statistical, Upon the Projected Routes for an Interoceanic Ship Canal Between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, in Which is Included a Short Account of the Character and Influence of the Canal of Suez, and the Probable Effects Upon the Commerce of the World of the Two Canals, Regarded Either as Rivals, or as Parts of One System of Interoceanic Navigation
Author: Abert, S. T. (Silvanus Thayer)

Abert, S. T. (Silvanus Thayer)

Canals, Interoceanic

1. TEHUANTEPEC, by the Coazacoalcos and Chicapa.
    2. HONDURAS.
    3. NICARAGUA, from San Juan de Nicaragua and Lake Nicaragua,
       five variations, viz.:
          R. San Carlos, G. de Nicoya,
          R. Nino, Tempisque, G. de Nicoya,
          R. Sapoa, B. Salinas,
          San Juan del Sud,
          and Brito.
       From San Juan de Nicaragua, by way of Lake Nicaragua and Managua,
       three variations, viz.:
          R. Tamarinda.
          B. Realejo.
          B. Fonseca.
    4. PANAMA, four distinct routes, viz.:
          Gorgona, Panama.
          Trinidad, Caymito.
          Navy Bay, R. Chagres, R. Bonito, R. Bernardo.
          San Blas, R. Chepo.
    5. DARIEN, including the old province of Chócó; the different
       routes and the variations are five in number, viz.:
          B. Caledonia, G. San Miguel.
          Rs. Arguia, Paya, Tuyra, G. San Miguel.
          B. Napipi, Cupica.
          R. Truando, Kelley’s Island.
          R. Tuyra, G. Urabá or R. Atrato.

The above lists include canal projects; the following list enumerates
the projected railroads:

       I. Coazacoalcos, Tehuantepec.
      II. B. Honduras to G. of Fonseca.
     III. R. San Juan, Nicaragua, Managua.
      IV. Port Limon to Caldera, Costa Rica.
       V. Chiriqui inlet to Golfo Dulce.
      VI. Aspinwall, Panama, (railroad finished.)
     VII. Gorgon B., Realijo.          ┐
                                       ├ Nicaragua
    VIII. Gorgon B., San Juan del Sur. ┘

Before describing the routes above enumerated, some criteria for
assisting the judgment may be brought together, as follows:

    1. The Isthmean Canal may be a thorough-cut, with
       guard-locks.

    2. It should be without a tunnel.

    3. It may have a summit-level and moderate lockage, to avoid
       excessive tunneling and cutting.

    4. Great advantages in other respects—viz.: shortness of
       line and fine harbors—may compensate for a short tunnel.

    5. The route should possess good harbors, or such as can be
       easily improved.

    6. Dimension of the canal and size of the locks. The canal
       should be sufficiently wide to permit ships to pass
       easily, or it should have convenient turn-outs.

The width of the intermarine canal proposed by Mr. Kennish, to unite
the Atrato and the Pacific, is estimated to have 200 feet. General
Michler assumes a width of 100 feet, and states that vessels can
pass alternately from one end to the other, employing tug-boats and
telegraphic signals to avoid confusion.

The canal now in process of construction, under the direction of
General Wilson, around the Des Moines rapids on the Mississippi, has a
width of 250 feet in embankment.

The Engineer in charge of the canal around the falls of the Ohio at
Louisville, proposes a width of 120 feet, which is the same as that of
the Caledonia Canal.

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