We have assumed on considerations hereinafter to be explained, that
paddle and screw frigates as well as vessels of 1000 to 1500 tons, ought
to be able to traverse the Canal in order to satisfy to the fullest
extent the demands of navigation. We have therefore fixed the width of
the Canal at the water line at 100 _met._; its _minimum_ draught of water
at 6 _m._, 50, below low water in the Mediterranean. The locks, two in
number, are to be 100 _met._ long, 21 _met._ wide, with a _minimum_
depth of water of 6 _m._, 50. These works will be established at the
two extremities of the Canal, immediately before the dykes forming the
channel which on each side unites the Canal with the two Seas. These two
locks will form part of a sluiced barrage, and thus convert the whole
Canal into one immense dam, receiving the waters of the Red Sea during
the highest tides, and storing them up successively in order to raise
the level and create a rush of water in each channel when necessary. The
highest tides of the Red Sea being from 2 _met._ to 2 _m._, 50 above low
water in the Mediterranean, a depth of 9 _met._ of water will be obtained
in the canal at certain times, but a mean super elevation of 1 _m._ may
be depended on, which will usually give a minimum depth of 7 _m._, 50
to 8 _met._ Under these conditions, screw steamers will be enabled to
pass easily along the Canal without the presence of its bed re-acting in
an inconvenient manner on the motion of their screws. We have, however,
calculated the earth-works for three different depths of water, viz. 6
_met._; 6 _m._, 50; and 7 _met._ below low water in the Mediterranean.
If the Company should require a depth of 8 _met._, it would be easy to
obtain it by means of dredges, without stopping the navigation on the
Canal.
The length of each barrage, including the lock, is 100 _met._; and in
order farther to facilitate the entrance of the rising tide into the
Canal, a third barrage has been added at Suez on the site of the existing
channel. This last work will be separated from the first by a platform
raised above the level of high water, so that the two together will unite
the road from Cairo passing by Suez to Mecca. Its length has also been
fixed at 100 _met._
For reasons of economy the width of the Canal has been reduced to 65
_met._ wherever the height of the ground reaches 6 _met._
To prevent the degradation of the banks of the Canal, the slope has been
fixed at two on the base to one in height, and it is proposed to have a
causeway 2 _met._ broad to receive, 1st. A covering of the broken stones
found along the Canal, 2nd. Any earth falling from the higher grounds,
which would otherwise encumber the bed of the Canal. This is only an
imitation of what has proved so successful on the Caledonian Canal.
The width of the towing path has been fixed at 4 _met._, which is quite
sufficient for a maritime canal where steam towing will be so much in use.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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