30 



The N^^tional Geographic Magazin 



Travelling in Nicaragua. 



strong and blow almost directly on this 

 part of the canal, the construction of a 

 harbor at this terminus becomes necessary 

 in the early stages of the work as well as 

 for use after the canal is completed. 



It is proposed to construct, by excava- 

 tion, a harbor of sufficient area to accom- 

 modate vessels using the canal. The en- 

 trance would have a minimum depth of 

 thirty-five feet and a bottom width of 

 five hundred feet, guarded by two jetties 

 springing from the shore line near Har- 

 bour Head. These jetties are to be built 

 of loose stone to a height of six feet above 

 mean high tide, the hearting to be com- 

 posed of small and the outer portion of 

 large stone, not easily moved by the 

 waves. It is not expected, however, that 

 the construction of the jetties will alone 

 form the entrance. Dredging will also 

 be necessary and its maintenance may re- 

 quire an extension of the jetties or dredg- 

 ing or both. 



The western terminus of the canal will 

 be near Brito. Here, as at Greytown, 

 there is no harbor, and an artificial one 

 must be constructed. The same general 

 engineering principles will guide in its 

 construction. The width and depth of the 



entrance will be the same. The sand 

 movement on the western coast, however, 

 is slight as compared with that in the 

 vicinity of Greytown. The prevailing 

 winds on this side are off-shore, and de- 

 structive storms seldom visit this part of 

 the coast. The cost of maintenance of the 

 harbor on the west side will therefore be 

 less than that of the one on the east side 

 at Greytown. 



For a part of the distance between 

 Greytown and the Florida Lagoon the 

 canal line passes over swampy sections, 

 where the material is too soft to support 

 the embankments necessary to keep out 

 the floods of the San Juan, and to main- 

 tain the canal level itself. Protecting em- 

 bankments are therefore to be constructed 

 over these sections. These embankments 

 are to be located as far as practicable on 

 the firm land composing the neighboring 

 hills. In places, however, they cross 

 ground which is soft to a considerable 

 depth. Waterways are provided on the 

 embankment lines to dispose of flood 

 water in the protected areas. 



At two places near the Boca San Carlos 

 dam site heavy cutting is encountered, the 

 maximum depth for short distances being- 



