26 



THE CUBA REVIEW 



THE CIENAGA DE ZAPATA CANAL* 



The following quaint story, taken from the columns of La Lucha of Havana, gives an 

 interesting account of a new and great enterprise now under way. 



"I was surprised by the arrival in these peaceful forests of a company of not badly 

 dressed workmen, peaceful and satisfied looking, carrying camps, valises, hammocks, 

 surveying instruments and other field equipment. 



"I bowed to the two w^ho appeared to be the leaders, who informed me half in English 

 and half in Spanish, what the reader will see who reads my story. 



"The technical superintendent of the little company was a Washington gentleman, 

 Mr. E. L. Anderson, and his assistant ^Ir. S. P. Hunter, both under the direction of the 

 well-known engineer Mr. S. J. Gess, absent at the time. 



"During the past month of December, they started from the Bahia de la Broa, dragging 

 through narrow roads, through muddj^ places and clearing thickets, engaged during the 

 day in work in the country and during the night under a tree where they slept in the 

 open air. 



"And for what is all this toil? 



"To carry out the plans of the greatest work ever realized in Cuba since Columbus 

 discovered the island, plans for a long canal which, beginning at the above mentioned 

 bay, will extend to Cienfuegos. 



"The length of the canal will be no less than 200 miles, the width 35 meters and the 

 depth 4 metres, at least. 



"The work has already reached 'San Bias' covering a space of 70 kilometers, and the 

 company is confident of reaching the terminus before Christmas. 



"The facilities of the future company will be greater because the grounds for excava- 



See map below showing territory to be benefited by this great work. 



A._9' 



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TRwieSA KEI^ 



Map of Matanzas and Santa Clara Provinces, showing location of the canal. 



