INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS DURING THE YEAR 1875. ccliii 



and the other Barbary States of not less than $15,000,000 

 annually, by a route much longer, the dangers and difficul- 

 ties of which greatly increase the cost of goods at Tirabuc- 

 too. It seems reasonable, therefore, as the advocates of this 

 project claim, that, were trade directed into the safer, easier, 

 and shorter channel proposed, the existing one would be 

 necessarily closed, while the station at Cape Juby, being in 

 direct communication by sea with Northern Europe, would 

 soon engross the commerce of South Barbary, which is said 

 to be one of the richest, healthiest, and most fertile countries 

 in the world, possessing a population of over three millions, 

 whose only present means of intercourse with Europeans is 

 by a most difficult road across the ranges of the Atlas, the 

 cost of transportation across which often exceeds seven times 

 the value of the merchandise. If any of the speculative 

 projects for opening Central Africa to European commerce are 

 ever to be carried into effect, the undertaking will probably 

 be initiated by first putting some such proposal as that last 

 described into operation, which can be done at comjmrative- 

 ly little cost. 



Upon the East River Bridge work has been slowly pro- 

 gressing during the past year. The latest accounts report 

 that the Brooklyn anchorage is completed, and waiting for 

 the cables and for the completion of the New York tower. 

 Another East River bridge project has been authorized by 

 the Legislature of New York, and certain steps preparatory 

 to its erection have already been taken. The new company 

 proposes to bridge the East River from New York to the 

 Long Island shore at the lower end of Blackwell's Island. 

 At this point the river is comparatively narrow, and a pier 

 can be placed on the island. The surveys and soundings for 

 its location have lately been completed by Mr. G. E. Harding. 

 The total length of the proposed structure will be, including 

 approaches, about two miles. It is proposed by the com- 

 pany to erect the long span trusses upon the cantilever prin- 

 ciple. It is furthermore proposed to lay railroad tracks 

 across it, and to make connection with the New York Central 

 and Hudson River tracks through a tunnel under Seventy- 

 seventh Street, on one side, and with the Long Island, the 

 Southern, and the Flushing and North Shore Roads, at its 

 termination at Graham Avenue and Lockwood Street, on the 



