Part 8

In order to have during the heats of summer a volume of water that shall be sufficient for the irrigation of 60,000 _feddans_ (24,000 _hectares_), for the loss by evaporation, and the waste at the last locks of Lake Timsah, there will be required—

_met. cub._ _per diem_ 1,200,000

For the passage of the locks, the dimensions of which are:—length 54 _met._ breadth 12 _met._ mean fall 3 _met._

Taking forty passages _per diem_, the amount will be 80,000

For evaporation, infiltration and other losses, say 15 _per cent._ of the serviceable quantity, viz. 192,000 --------- Total quantity of water to be supplied _per diem_ 1,472,000 =========

The height that the water has to be raised being 2 _metres_, and a pump of one horse power, raising 60 _litres_ per second for one _metre_, pumps of five and six horse power will give the required quantity.

We establish therefore steam pumps of five and six horse power at the head of the Canal, as well as a barrage lock with gates both ways, in order to guard against the great risings of the Nile, and to retain the waters of the Canal when the river has subsided.

The Company will thus be able to fertilise 100,000 _feddans_, of which 60,000 will be by irrigation, and which will give the richest produce.

The Canal follows the course of the Zafranieh as far as Tell el Yaoudieh, where there is a lock of 2 _met._, 50 fall; it then leaves this ancient water-course to the left as far as _Ras-el-Wady_: in this interval there are three other locks.

Leaving _Ras-el-Wady_, the track of the Canal is directed so as to keep it as high as possible, and to avoid the downs which occupy the whole of the valley, and are constantly moving from south to north: all these downs should therefore be fixed by seed-plots, and their superfice may perhaps be approximately estimated at 50,000 _hectares_. The valley called _Wady-Tomilat_ comprises two quite distinct parts; the first, from _Abasseh-Mollaut_ to the east as far as _Ras-el-Wady_, is well cultivated; the other from this point, as far as Lake Timsah, is uncultivated and covered with shrubs, which will furnish an excellent combustible for the manufacture of lime and bricks, as well as for the requirements of the workmen, until it is cultivated. At present the waters of the Nile spread naturally during the inundation for half the distance from _Ras-el-Wady_ to Lake Timsah. The _Ras-el-Wady_ channel extends along the valley with a depth of 7 _metres_, and it opens into Lake Timsah with a double lock, forming together a fall of 7 metres.

Above this lock there is a water-course for irrigation running towards Suez, and a conduit of water on the Charmeroi system which goes towards Pelusium, so that, for the whole extent of the Isthmus, there will be water in abundance for the use of the workmen; the water-course for irrigation is 20 _metres_ wide, 8700 _metres_ in length, and has a fall of ,04 per _kilom._, which gives a difference of 3 _met._, 48 in the level.

So that at Suez the water-line of the water-course will be 7 _met._,00 - 3,48 = 3,52. The depth of the canal being 1,50, it will be seen that its bed will be 2,02 above the level of low water, and near about that of high water. There will consequently be no fear of the infiltration of salt water.

The section of the water-course thus determined, will rule for one-third of its length, but its breadth will be reduced to 15 _metres_ for a second third, and to 10 _metres_ for the remaining third.

The water-course of Suez follows the direction and even the bed of the ancient canal, as far as the Serapeum, the culminating point of the bar of that name; it then leaves the ancient canal to the east, to avoid the sands, passes into a solid plain, makes the circuit of the grand basin of the Isthmus, arrives at the narrowest part, and continues in the plain at a sufficient height not to let the fresh water pass into the low and salt lands.

If on the Pelusiac side, a conduit of water has been adopted instead of an open water-course, it is in order to obtain fresh water more quickly for the whole length of the Maritime Canal, and because the tillage on the Pelusiac side does not begin until after that of Suez. And the pipes when they shall be replaced hereafter by a water-course, will serve to form a good distribution of water in the town which will arise at Port Timsah.

The advantages of the undertaking are now demonstrated. But it is not so with regard to the returns which it will give to the shareholders. Doubt is prevalent in the financial world, in consequence of the widely different estimates made by the engineers, both as to the cost and the probable returns. We have therefore directed our investigations more particularly to this capital point of the question, taking care to guard against every kind of exaggeration, in order to arrive at accurate and conscientious results, and at figures as near as possible to the truth.

We are now about to present the result of our investigations in this last part of our labours.

ESTIMATE OF THE COST.

ARTICLE I.

EARTH-WORKS.

We have adopted in our calculations for the Canal, the depth of 6 _met._ 50 below low water, which will give for the _minimum_ 7 _met._ 50, and for the _maximum_ 8 to 9 _met._ draught of water, by the disposition of the locks and the elevation of the tides of the Red Sea. If this figure should not be found sufficient, it would be easy to increase it by the dredging machines, a certain number of which will always be kept, and which would not prevent the navigation of the Canal.

_met. cub._

The total quantity of removal required for the excavation of the Grand Canal, according to the calculations made from the sections, is 74,679,132

Of which the part to be excavated to the level of low water in the Mediterranean is 17,473,790

the remainder 57,205,342

is below this level.

EARTH-WORKS IN THE DRY.—For the first part, we have similar works executed in Egypt; these are the three Canals dug to receive the waters of the Nile arising from the reflux caused by the barrage. Two of these canals have a breadth of 100 _met._ at the bed; 4 _met._ 50 mean depth, with banks 25 _met._ wide. They are all three dug in clay, which is very stiff at some points.

The works having been executed by the Government, the pay of the workmen was very low: 1½ _piast._ (0 _fr._ 37½) was given to able workmen; 1 _piast._ (0 _fr._ 25) to others, and 30 _paras_ (0 _fr._ 20) to children; the corresponding work done was 1 _met._ 25, cube _per diem_.

If this ratio were adopted, it would evidently be too low; for the Company could not, and would not, exercise such an authority over the people of the country.

It is true, that these prices are voluntarily accepted by the fellahs in the villages; but they are at home with their families, and are able to cultivate some patches of land on their own account. They would not willingly leave their families, unless to obtain higher wages, which would be at the _maximum_, 2½ _piast._ (0 _fr._ 62½).

An average of 2½ _piast._ (0 _fr._ 62½) _per diem_, must be reckoned upon, not including the supply of bread and water, which would cost 1 _piast._ in addition. Say, therefore, 3½ _piast._ or in round numbers, 0 _fr._ 90.

At these wages, with good superintendence, 1 _met._ 50, cube _per diem_ might be required; for, in the works which we have carefully observed, we have adopted the formula 2 + _n_ = 8 _met. cub._ to fix the task of the workmen employed. In which formula _n_ indicates the number of relays of 25 _met._ In the present case, supposing the average distance from the centre of removal to the centre of deposit to be two relays, the formula would give 2 _met. cub._ and moreover the excavation is to be made in very light ground. We are therefore sure that the figure 1 _met._ 50 cube, is rather below than above the mark. The cubic metre will thus come to 0 _fr._ 61.—At this rate the first portion of the earth-works would cost _fr._ 10,484,274

EARTH-WORKS UNDER WATER.—For the second part we assume, that it will be done entirely by steam dredges, in two series. The first composed of dredges of twenty horse power performing the excavations to the depth of four metres; and the second composed of dredges of thirty-five horse power, making the excavations to the depth of 7 _met._ 50.

Let us see what can be done by both these working night and day for 250 days in the year; thus making ample allowance for repairs and stoppages.

The dredges employed at the barrage, of 20 horse power, and raising sand from a depth of seven metres, filled thirty-three lighters in the day and twenty-eight in the night, in all 61 _per diem_, giving a total of 610 to 700 _met. cub._; but these machines were almost continually stopped for want of a sufficient number of lighters. These same dredges, on the Seine, removed as much as 500 _met. cub._ in the day, and an equal quantity at night, excavating, it is true, at a depth of only 2 _met._ 50. The price paid per cubic metre was 0 _fr._ 75, including carrying away and discharging. At the barrage, on account of the low price of labour, the cubic metre has not cost 0 _fr._ 50.

For deepening the roadstead of Toulon, dredges of twenty-five horse power were employed, which raised the mud from a depth of 9 _met._ 50 below low water.

These dredges worked 270 days in the year, and each raised 194,755 _met. cub._ The cubic metre of soil extracted was fixed provisionally for the account at 1 _fr._ 20, including the transport and discharge, which was at an average distance of several miles in the open sea.

At the port of Valencia, dredges of thirty-five horse power were employed, raising 750 _met. cub._ _per diem_, from a depth of 5 to 7 _metres_. A steamer of seventy horse power towed the lighters to a distance of fifteen miles, and the cubic _metre_ thus raised and transported only cost 0 _fr._ 75.

From these data it may be assumed, that the dredges of twenty horse power will raise 500 _met. cub._ of earth _per diem_ from a depth of 4 _met._, and we may fix the price of extraction, including transport, at 0 _fr._, 75; that the dredges of thirty-five horse power will raise 750 _met. cub._ at 1 _fr._ By causing the dredges to work day and night, and assuming, as we have said, an average of 250 working days in the year, a dredge of twenty horse power will excavate _per ann._ 250,000 and a dredge of thirty-five horse power 375,000 ------- _met. cub._ 625,000

The total quantity of excavation to be performed by dredges being 57,205,342 _met. cub._, if the work is to be done in five years, it will be necessary to have nineteen pairs of dredges; and, if it be observed that for the greater part of the Isthmus, the excavation may be done by hand to the depth of a foot at least below the level of the Mediterranean, since the bottom of the Bitter Lakes remains dry at a depth which reaches 8 _met._, 58, it will be found that nineteen pairs will be amply sufficient.

Supposing half the work to be done by each kind of dredge respectively, the cost is found to be 50,054,674

CANAL OF COMMUNICATION.—The quantity of earth-work to be performed for the canal of communication and irrigation is calculated from the sections at 10,320,884 _met. cub._ from the receipt of water to Lake Timsah. For this work men will easily be found, at the rate of 3 _piast._ (0 _fr._ .75) including all expenses, and each workman will do easily 2 _met._ _per diem_, which reduces the price of the cubic _metre_ to 0 _fr_. 37½.

The cost of excavating the canal will therefore be 3,870,331

For the small canal of irrigation, leading from the last channel to Suez, the quantity of earth-work is 2,218,500 _met. cub._ For this it will be necessary to pay the men 0 _fr._ 90 _per diem_, and they will easily do 2 _met._ 25 _cub._, which will be 0 _fr._ 40 per _met. cub._

The cost of this part will therefore be 887,400 Add 10 _per cent._ for tools 6,529,667 Contingencies 173,654 ---------------- Total for the first part _fr._ 72,000,000

ARTICLE II.

WORKS OF ART.

To give a concise but accurate notion of the expense of the works of art, we shall fix the prime cost of the materials, compared with the prices paid in the execution of the works of the barrage, and then it will be easy to determine the outlay necessary for the present works, as compared with that of the former.

ROUGH STONE.—The rough stone used in the barrage comes from the quarries of Toura, situated 30 _kil._ from the place where it is used. It costs 22 _paras_ the _quintal_, or 4 _fr._, 20, the _cubic metre_, delivered on the spot. That which will be used in the works of the Maritime Canal will come from the quarries of Ataka, on the shores of the bay of Suez, at a distance of 20 _kil._ from Suez. This being a calcareous stone, like that of Toura, if it is brought to the boats by a railroad and towed by steamers, there is sure to be a saving in the extraction and transport. We have however, taken the price at 5 _fr._ to cover all difficulties in forming establishments, the higher rate of labour, and the cost of the railroad. This is the price paid for the blocks employed at the port of Cherbourg.

At the port of Valencia (in Spain), the extraction of large blocks, the transport to the quay and loading, only cost 4 _fr._ 25.

HEWN STONE.—The hewn stone for the barrage, came from the quarries of Toura and Massara, at an average distance of 33 _kil._ from the place where used. These stones were first transported a distance of 6 _kil._ to the banks of the Nile, by means of bullock carts, then transferred to sailing barges, and carried by water to the distance above-mentioned.

The price per _cubic metre_ was 24 _piast._ (6 _fr._) for extraction, and 18 _piast._ (4 _fr._ 50) for carriage; in all 10 _fr._ 50.

For the works of the Maritime Canal, stone will be used coming from quarries now in work on the banks, at the level of high water for the whole extent of the Gulf of Suez, and also from quarries on the shore of the Red Sea, at a distance of about 10 _kil._ from Suez, which furnish a shelly calcareous stone, soft when extracted, but hardening by exposure to the air, and also in sea water.

This stone has been successfully employed in building the Grand Hotel of Suez, and has cost 33 _piast._ (8 _fr._ 25.) the _cubic metre_, hewn and delivered at the quay.

We have adopted this price, increased by 60 _per cent._ in order to cover the distance, and to arrive more easily at the comparison which we wish to establish.

BRICKS.—The bricks used in the barrage were made by steam machines, and cost, on account of extraordinary circumstances, 26 _fr._ per thousand. Those which will be made by hand or by means of bullock machines in the _Wady Tomilat_, will not cost half so much; for they can be made in the whole of that valley at the rate of 6 to 7 _fr._ per thousand, on account of the great quantity of combustibles found in that locality.

We have however assumed, that on account of the expense of transport, from Pelusium to Suez, the bricks will come to the same price, as at the barrage, which is evidently an excess.

LIME.—The lime cost at the barrage, 8 _fr._ 70 the _cubic metre_, delivered on the spot. That which is made at Suez comes to 7 _fr_. 75 delivered. This lime is made in the valley of Guébé, with the combustibles found there in abundance, and which only cost the labour of cutting and transport.

POZZOLANO.—As the lime used in the barrage was fat lime, it was necessary to make artificial Pozzolano, which came to 45 _piast._ (11 _fr._ 25) the _cubic metre_. This Pozzolano could not be used for sea work, for we are convinced by experience that it is affected by the magnesia which is found in sea-water. It can, therefore, only serve for the works of the canal of communication, and, like the bricks, it will cost less than at the barrage.

For the sea masonry, we have happily discovered solid masses in the harbour of Suez, anciently formed at the time of the Caliphs, or more probably at that of the Ptolemies. These masses of masonry are so compact, that when fragments are detached, the stone breaks more easily than the mortar, which is simply composed of sand and hydraulic lime.

This lime very probably comes from the mountains of Ataka, which contain several beds of calcareous marl; and there is no doubt that, by making researches, the beds that supplied the hydraulic lime may be discovered. Samples have been sent to M. Leplay, chief engineer and professor at the School of Mines, for analyzation, and more will be sent until good beds shall be found.

On this supposition, it is more than likely that the masonry of the Maritime Canal will be less expensive than that of the barrage, since it will be enough to have hydraulic lime to mix with the sand, which is found at all points of the Canal.

TIMBER.—The timber will come from Anatolia and Caramania. Oak and fir planks will be procured from Trieste. These materials will not cost more than at the barrage; for, though the distance of inland transport is greater, the expense of trans-shipment will be avoided by the construction of a new lock, which will unite the Mahmoudieh Canal, and consequently the Nile, with the sea.

IRON.—It will be the same with regard to wrought and cast iron, which will be procured from England and Russia.

Now, the barrage of the Nile is 1006 _metres_ in length, with four locks, of which two are double, of 12 _metres_ opening, and two others of 15 _metres_. It is established upon a general platform at 7 _metres_ below the low water, is 46 _metres_ wide, and four _metres_ average thickness, with two lines of jaunting piles, and 1600 _metres_ of quay walls, and only cost 18,000,000 _francs_, including the purchase of steam machines, to the number of twenty-two, the construction of all works and all the charges of administration, which were considerable.

If this amount is divided by the total length of 1006, 17,900 francs will be obtained for the cost of a running _metre_, including all the accessories of locks, quays, machines, and charges of administration.

BARRAGE LOCKS.—Adopting this figure, which is too high by a good third for the Maritime Canal, the two barrage locks and the oblique barrage, being altogether 300 metres in length, would cost _fr._ 5,370,000

We say that this figure is much too high; 1st. Because the barrage was made to support a pressure of 4 to 5 _metres_ of water, while those of the Maritime Canal will never have to sustain more than 2,50 _met._ at the _maximum_ height of the water; 2nd. Because the waters of the Nile, rising to 7,50 _met._ above the low water line, it was necessary to elevate the masonry, piles, and arches, to make at the same time a bridge of passage, and to increase the weight of the masonry; 3rd. and lastly, Because it was necessary to defend the banks of the Nile by 1600 metres of quay walls, both at the approaches of the barrage and at the head of the three canals, which is not necessary here.

Notwithstanding these reasons, we have adopted the above figure, in order to obtain a result, rather in excess than below the reality, and thus to give every confidence in our valuations.

JETTIES AT PELUSIUM AND SUEZ.—For the jetties, both at Pelusium and Suez, we have said that we should adopt the mode of construction by loose stones, as has been done in the greatest known works, and in the majority of the ports in the Mediterranean, such as Cannes, Bandol, Barcelona, Valencia, Cadiz, Genoa, &c. &c., always reducing the width of the causeway according to the necessity of the case. Thus, the jetty which is to windward in the prevailing winds, has a width of 8 _metres_ at the summit for its causeway, which is at 1 _met._, 50, above low water.

There is, moreover, a parapet 4 _met._ thick and 3 _met._, 50, high. On the other hand, the jetty to the leeward has a causeway only 6 _metres_ wide, and the parapet 3 _met._ thick and 2 _met._, 50, high.

In order to enable the ships to approach the windward jetty, and to be towed its whole length, masonry in hydraulic mortar has been disposed on the interior slope of the jetty from a depth of 3 _met._ below low water, as shown on the section drawn on the map. This is only in imitation of what is seen in the harbour of Bastia, as well as in those of Cannes and Bandol, and the other details have been taken from those adopted in the construction of the last-mentioned.

Assuming that the jetty east of Suez will be 4000 _met._ long, there will be 970,000 _met. cub._ of rough stones, which at 5 _fr._ the _metre_ on board the vessels, amounts to _fr._ 4,750,000

Taking the transport and sinking at 2 _fr._, which is a great deal, we have 1,940,000 --------- Total _fr._ 6,690,000 ---------

Say in round numbers 7,000,000

For the western jetty, the same amount 7,000,000

For the jetty west of Pelusium, if we assume that the transport will be for a distance of 150 _kil._ at 0 _fr._ 03 _per ton_, _per kil._ which will be about 0 _fr._ 06 _per cubic metre_, we shall have 9 _fr._ for the cost of transport, to which add 1 _fr._ for sinking; with the cost of extraction it will be 15 _fr._ per _cubic metre_. The quantity being 1,000,000 _met. cub._ we get an amount of 15,000,000

and as much for the western jetty 15,000,000

MOLE OF PELUSIUM.—The defensive mole being 500 _met._ in length, its contents will be 250,000 _met. cub._, and the cost of its construction 3,750,000

RETAINING BASIN.—The semicircular dyke forming the retaining basin will have a developement of 6200 _met._ and the contents will be 890,000 _met. cub._ its cost will therefore be 13,500,000

The shingling on the banks of the canal for a length of 100 _kil._ is estimated at 1,500,000