THE PANAMA ROUTE FOR A SHIP CANAL. 



3°9 



Much has been written regarding the comparative liability to dam- 

 age of canal works along these two routes by volcanic or seismic 

 agencies. As is well known, the entire Central American Isthmus is a 

 volcanic region, and in the past a considerable number of destructive 

 volcanic eruptions have taken place at a number of points. There is a 

 line of live volcanoes extending southeasterly through Nicaragua and 

 Costa Kica. Many earthquake shocks have occurred throughout 

 Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the State of Panama, some of which have 

 done more or less damage in large portions of those districts. At the 

 same time many buildings, which have been injured, have not been 



Street in Panama. 



substantially built. In fact that has generally been the case. Both 

 routes lie in districts that are doubtless subject to earthquake shocks, 

 but there is little probability that the substantial structures of a canal 

 along either line would be essentially injured by them. The con- 

 clusions of the commission as to this feature of the matter are concisely 

 stated in three paragraphs at the top of page 170 of its report : 



It is possible and even probable that the more accurately fitting portions 

 of the canal, such as the lock gates, may at times be distorted by earthquakes, 

 and some inconvenience may result therefrom. That contingency may be 

 classed with the accidental collision of ships with the gates, and is to be pro- 

 vided for in the same way, by duplicate gates. 



