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
QUAY WALLS OF PORT TIMSAH.—The quay walls to be constructed
in the harbour of Lake Timsah, for a length of 1500
_met._ are estimated at 1200 _fr._ the running _metre_
(though we have constructed some entirely of hewn stone,
which only cost 850 _fr._); the cost of this item will
therefore be 1,800,000
In order to ascertain in a general manner whether the
figures which we exhibit are in conformity with the data
resulting from experience, we have examined the costs of
analogous works, that we might compare them with those
which we have determined.
The dyke of Cherbourg, which is 3800 _met._ long, has
cost 68,000,000, after all the vicissitudes it has
undergone from the beginning of the century. It comes
therefore to about 17,900 _fr._ per running _metre_.
Its depth is 18 _met._, 80 below high water, while the
average depth of those projected is only 4 _met._ Now if
we assume, as is evidently correct, that the bulk, and
consequently the cost of each, are as the square of its
height, we find that as the dyke of Cherbourg cost 17,900
_fr._ the running _metre_, those of Suez should cost
twenty-two times less, that is 815 _fr._ yet they come to
1790 _fr._ the running _metre_.
The jetties of the harbour of Joliette at Marseilles,
allowance made for all expenses, come to 5500 _fr._ the
running _metre_. Their foundations are 11 _met._, 50
below low water. Those of Pelusium ought, therefore, to
cost nine times less, that is 615 _fr._
The mole of the harbour of Valencia, which is 560 _met._
long, and the foundation 8 _metres_, 50, deep, was
awarded for a sum of 3,000,000 _fr._: according to this
price the defensive mole of Pelusium should cost less
than that sum, while we have estimated it at 3,750,000
_fr._
The mole of the harbour of Cannes, which is only 150
_met._ long, has been estimated at 1,300,000 _fr._, which
is 8666 _fr._ per running metre, but it goes to depths
of water that reach 10 _met._: its cost is therefore,
at least six times more considerable than that of the
jetties of Suez; yet our estimate is more than the fifth
of that figure.
We may therefore say that our estimates are in excess
as regards the works of Suez, and very much more so for
those of Pelusium, since, in proportion, our figures
exceed even those of works executed under the most
unfavourable conditions.
CANAL OF COMMUNICATION.—For the canal of communication,
we have first to erect pumps of 500 horse power in
the aggregate, in order to provide amply for all the
incidents of navigation, irrigation, losses by filtration
and evaporation; as, for irrigation and navigation we
only require 800,000 _metres cub. per diem_, while pumps
of 500 horse power will supply 1,296,000.
STEAM PUMPS.—The steam pumps that have been erected in
Egypt, have come to 2,200 _fr._ per horse power, fixed
and mounted complete; for this item, therefore, there
will be an expenditure of 1,100,000
BARRAGE LOCKS.—There will be six barrage locks with
draw-bridges; the locks will be 12 _met._ wide and 54
_met._ long between the gates. The cost of each barrage
lock complete will be 300,000 _fr._ and for the six 1,800,000
CULTIVATION OF LANDS.—For bringing the lands into
cultivation we must reckon 200 _fr. per feddan_, or 500
_fr. per hectare_. It is true that land may be bought in
the country, all prepared with agricultural buildings,
magazines, cattle, plant, &c. &c., at the rate of 250
_fr._ the _feddan_ (625 _fr._ the _hectare_), but the
agricultural system established on these lands is very
defective.
The expenditure for 40,000 _feddans_, or 16,000
_hectares_, will be 8,000,000
FIXING THE SANDS.—For fixing the sands we have seen that
the cost would be 66 _fr._, 80, the _hectare_. It appears
to us advantageous to carry out this operation on a large
scale; we have therefore adopted the figure of 24,000
_hectares_ (60,000 _feddans_). The expenditure for this
item will be 1,603,200
CONDUIT PIPES.—For the conduit pipes, of which there
will be a total length of 80,000 _metres_, we adopt
those on the Charmeroi principle, although there are now
earthenware pipes very suitable for water courses, and
which do not cost half what the Charmeroi pipes do. These
latter, 0 _met._, 10, in diameter, which is the size
adopted, are laid complete, including the trenches, 1
_met._, 40 deep, at 6 _fr._, 30 _per metre_. On account
of the carriage, we put the _metre_ at 8 _fr._, which
makes an amount of 640,000
LIGHT HOUSES AND BEACONS.—We assume that there will be
two lighthouses, one at the Damietta point, and the other
on the Red Sea, at Raz Mohammed. There will be besides,
two beacons at the head of the jetties at Pelusium and
at Suez. The lighthouses with their lenticular apparatus
will cost, the two 150,000 _fr._
and the two beacons 20,000 _fr._
in all 170,000
There will be houses for the officers, barracks for the
workmen, stables for the animals, magazines for the
provisions, materials, &c. &c., for which we set down an
approximate amount of 1,000,000
-----------------
Total cost of Art. II. for Works of Art _fr._ 84,233,200
Total cost of Art. I. Earth-works 72,000,000
-----------------
Total cost _fr._ 156,233,200
We assume that it will require full six years to
accomplish the works, and that the expenses of
administration will amount to two and a half _per cent._
on the total cost; therefore for this item will be
required a sum of 3,905,830
A farther sum for contingent works, unforeseen 2,410,970
-----------------
Grand total of the cost _fr._ 162,550,000
DISTRIBUTION OF THE WORK.—Let us now see how this sum
is to be expended, and in what manner the works may be
distributed, in order to their completion in the space of
six years.
The first thing to be done is, evidently, to bring the
fresh water into the Isthmus, in order to supply the
workmen, and to effect the transport of provisions and
materials.
The canal of communication, with its locks, the
irrigating channel, and the water conduit, may be easily
executed in the first year, since these works only
represent 12,539,384 _met. cub._, or, at the _maximum_
6,269,692 days’ work, at the rate of two _cubic metres
per diem_. Taking 300 working days in the year, it will
require 20,898 men. In this part of Egypt from 30 to
40,000 may easily be had if necessary.
In the same year the grand yards will be formed at the
quarries, with all the railways, quays, and landing
places, for the extraction and supply, on a large scale,
of the stone necessary for the moles, jetties, and works
of art.
Contracts will be made with the manufacturers for the
supply of dredges, lighters, towing barges, boats, and
other machines to be employed in the execution of the
works. In this first campaign, the expenditure will be
approximately _fr._ 12,000,000.
In the second year, eight dredges will be mounted in
the harbour of Suez to excavate the channel and the
foundations of the jetties. The operations at the
quarries, the erection of the jetties, and the barrage
lock, may therefore be pushed on with all desirable
activity.
Fresh water will be thrown into Lake Timsah, to set to
work all the other disposable dredges; 30,000 workmen
will perform all the clearance in the extent of the
Bitter Lakes, and for the remainder of the Canal. They
will prepare a trench in the ground to 1 _met._ 50, below
low water, and so form a channel 15 _met._ wide, which
will enable the barges and machines to pass and repass
the whole extent of the Isthmus. All the force will be
applied this year to open a communication between Suez
and Lake Timsah, and consequently between Suez and the
Nile.
The fixing of the downs, and the cultivation of the
lands, will be commenced. The expenditure of this
campaign will be approximately _fr._ 25,000,000.
In the third year the communication of Lake Timsah with
the Mediterranean will be opened, and all the disposable
force will be employed in making the scouring basin and
erecting the jetties. The earth-works will be continued,
the dredging also, the sowings on the downs, and the
agricultural labours. 20,000 workmen will be employed
this year, and the expenditure may be set down at _fr._ 30,000,000.
In the fourth year, the same works as in the preceding,
that is, the earth-works will be continued both by hand
and by the dredges, the jetties, the barrage locks, and
the quay wall in the Lake. Moreover, the defensive mole
will be commenced; the sowings and cultivation extended.
It is estimated that 20,000 workmen will still be
required, and an expenditure of _fr._ 33,000,000
In the fifth and sixth years, the same operations will be
continued, but so many men will no longer be required;
for the dredges will perform the principal part of the
work, and the operations at the quarries can then be
pushed on with all possible activity.
We assume for each of these years an expenditure of
_fr._ 31,000,000; for both _fr._ 62,000,000
Which will make up the amount of the estimate _fr._ 162,000,000
INTEREST TO BE PAID TO THE SHAREHOLDERS.—As it is usual
to pay interest to the shareholders on the amounts
subscribed, in proportion to the paid-up capital, it is
necessary to take an account of the interest so accruing,
and to carry the amount to the cost of execution.
Interest on 12,000,000 _fr._ subscribed the first year
at 5 _per cent._ for six years _fr._ 3,600,000
—25,000,000 2nd yr. 5 _per cent._ 5 yrs. 6,250,000
—30,000,000 3rd ” ” 4 ” 6,000,000
—33,000,000 4th ” ” 3 ” 4,950,000
—31,000,000 5th ” ” 2 ” 3,100,000
—31,000,000 6th ” ” 1 ” 1,550,000
----------------
_fr._ 25,450,000
Total of interest payable to the shareholders, to be
added to the estimated amount of expenditure 162,550,000
-------------
188,000,000
-------------
Let us, however, carry the _maximum_ capital to be
applied in the undertaking to _fr._ 200,000,000