THE INTEROCEANIC CANAL. 193 



trifling affair to create an artificial lake of this kind, 

 and to maintain such, a mass of water suspended 100 

 feet above the canal. Why not free the canal entirely 

 and make a separate bed for the river ? This was the 

 solution upon which the authors of the scheme even- 

 tually agreed, at the instant advice of the Commission. 



The second objection was that the Pacific tide is 

 19 J feet at Panama, while the Atlantic tide at Colon 

 is only two feet. This would cause currents running 

 four or five knots an hour in the canal, and create a 

 danger to navigation. The remedy for this will be to 

 create a tidal gate at Panama, and place at the 

 entrance to the canal a waiting basin, where ships can 

 pay the customs and transit dues while waiting for a 

 suitable hour to enter the canal. 



If to this we add that the Panama Canal passes 

 within half-a-mile of the railway, that the latter will 

 be most useful for bringing labourers and materials to 

 the works, and that the length of time occupied in 

 going through the 47 J miles of canal will be only 

 thirty-six hours, the words of the sub- Commission 

 need no further justification: "The Panama canal on 

 the level technically presents itself under the most 

 satisfactory conditions, and ensures every facility, as it 

 gives every security, for the transit of vessels from 

 one sea to another." 



I must say a word about the San Bias Canal. Ad- 

 vocated by Messrs. Appleton and Bailey, this canal had 

 in its favour the fact of its being shorter than any of the 



