A Succinct View of the Importance and Practicability of Forming a Ship Canal across the Isthmus of Panama Informative Summary

Overview:

This 1845 pamphlet argues persuasively for the construction of a ship canal across the Isthmus of Panama, highlighting its potential to revolutionize global trade. The author, H.R. Hill, stresses the historical significance of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, a goal sought since Columbus’s voyages. He dismisses the notion that the project was impossible due to its longstanding lack of implementation, pointing to the recent advancements in technology, like steam navigation and railways, which were once considered fantastical.

Hill also addresses the concern of the challenging climate on the Atlantic side of the Isthmus, acknowledging the potential for disease. However, he insists that proper planning, including the construction of protective housing and the implementation of robust health regulations, could mitigate these risks. The pamphlet details the proposed route, emphasizing the strategic advantages of using the navigable rivers of the Chagres and Rio Grande, and underscores the economic viability of the project, presenting estimated expenses and potential profits. Ultimately, Hill’s compelling argument highlights the pressing need for a ship canal through Panama, advocating for a private enterprise to undertake the ambitious project and reap the significant rewards it promises.

Key findings:

A ship canal through Panama is economically and strategically vital, offering a shorter route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The Isthmus of Panama is the most favorable location for a canal due to its relatively narrow width and the presence of navigable rivers.
The climate on the Atlantic side of the Isthmus, while challenging, can be managed through proper planning and precautions.
The potential for profit is significant, with estimated returns exceeding 14% on the proposed investment.

Learning:

Importance of International Trade: This text highlights the immense value of efficient trade routes, illustrating how connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans would drastically shorten travel times and facilitate global commerce.
Advancements in Technology: Hill emphasizes how scientific and technological breakthroughs, like steam navigation and railways, have challenged previous notions of impossibility, suggesting that the construction of a Panama canal is within reach.
Overcoming Challenges: The author acknowledges the difficulties associated with constructing the canal, such as the challenging climate, and advocates for a proactive approach to address these obstacles. He outlines specific measures, such as proper infrastructure and healthcare, to mitigate risks and ensure the project’s success.
The Power of Private Enterprise: Hill champions the potential of private enterprise to undertake this ambitious project, arguing that a Joint Stock Company, with financial backing from major maritime powers, could effectively realize this vision.

Historical context:

The text was written in 1845, a period of global economic expansion and technological innovation. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, with steam-powered transportation revolutionizing travel and trade. The growing importance of global trade, particularly with East Asia, intensified the need for faster and more efficient shipping routes. The United States had recently annexed Texas, igniting tensions with Mexico and raising the stakes for control over the Western Hemisphere. This context provides the backdrop for Hill’s passionate plea for the construction of a canal, demonstrating the political and economic urgency of his proposal.

Facts:

The Isthmus of Panama was discovered shortly after the discovery of America but its features remained unknown for centuries.
Robertson’s history of America incorrectly stated that the Isthmus was traversed by a continuous chain of mountains.
The chain of the Andes terminates near Porto Bello, to the east of the Bay of Limon, and the Isthmus in this region is a flat country.
Lloyd surveyed the Isthmus in 1828 and 1829, dispelling previous misconceptions about its geography.
The difference in tide levels between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans on either side of the Isthmus is not significant, only 13 feet at high water.
The city of Panama was founded in 1521 by Spanish emperor Charles the Fifth.
Panama was sacked and destroyed by the buccaneer Morgan in 1670.
The current city of Panama is located on a tongue of land shaped like a spearhead, extending out into the sea.
Panama’s harbor is protected by islands, offering excellent anchorage and access to fresh water.
The town of Chagres is located on the north bank of the Chagres River, which flows into the Caribbean Sea.
The Chagres River is navigable to Cruces, which is located five leagues from Panama.
The River Trinidad is navigable to Embarcadero, which is located five leagues from the mouth of the Chagres River.
The River Farfan is a branch of the Rio Grande and flows into the Pacific Ocean near Panama.
The Bay of Limon, also known as Navy Bay, is located east of Chagres and offers a large and spacious harbor with enough depth for large ships.
The Bay of Chorrera is located west of Panama and could be used as an alternate harbor.
The Lake of Vino Tinto could be incorporated into a ship canal route.
The distance between the River Trinidad and the navigable portion of the Farfan River is only 25 miles and does not involve high lands.
The proposed canal route would either utilize the rivers as part of the navigation or use them to supply water to the canal.
The mortality in the lowlands around Chagres is attributed to the imprudence of European visitors who sleep in the open air and engage in excessive drinking.
The government of New Granada has offered to grant land for the construction of the canal, free of rent or burdens, for a period of 60-80 years.

Statistics:

The estimated annual tonnage of vessels belonging to England, France, the United States, and Holland, trading in countries that would benefit from the canal, is 799,427 tons.
The estimated annual tonnage of vessels that would use the canal is 800,000 tons, taking into account the expected growth in trade to the South Seas and the shift from the Cape of Good Hope route.
The estimated annual revenue from a tonnage duty of $2 per ton on 800,000 tons is $1,600,000, equivalent to £333,333.
The estimated annual expenses of operating the canal are £40,000.
The estimated annual profit from the canal is £293,333, representing a profit of over 14½ per cent. on the total estimated outlay of £2,000,000.
The estimated length of the canal, if it were to be cut across the whole width of the Isthmus, is 58 miles.
The estimated cost of constructing a tram-road across the Isthmus is £40,000.
The estimated number of workers already enrolled by the government of New Granada for the project is 4,000 or more.
The estimated difference in height between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, according to M. Garella, is 2 meters and 80 centimeters (9 feet and 2 inches).
The estimated highest point that must be overcome along the canal route, according to M. Garella, is 120 meters (131 yards) above sea level at Panama.
The estimated length of the tunnel proposed by M. Garella is 5,350 meters (about 3 miles).
The estimated cost of constructing the tunnel proposed by M. Garella is 44 million francs (£1,760,000).
The estimated length of the canal, if it were to be cut along the shorter route utilizing the rivers, is 25 miles.
The estimated depth of the Chagres River to its junction with the Trinidad River is from 16½ to 22 feet.
The estimated width of the Chagres River from its mouth to the Trinidad River is 220 feet.
The estimated depth of water at low tide in the Ensenada de Voca de Monte, the proposed Pacific terminus of the canal, is 4 meters (13 feet and 1 inch).
The estimated depth of water at high tide in the Ensenada de Voca de Monte is 7 meters and 20 centimeters (23 feet and 6 inches).
The estimated depth of water in the Bay of Limon, the proposed Atlantic terminus of the canal, is 10 meters (35 feet and 5 inches).
The estimated number of locks needed for the canal, based on M. Garella’s proposed route, is 30 at each declivity.
The estimated height of the tunnel proposed by M. Garella is 100 feet above the surface of the canal.

Terms:

Isthmus: A narrow strip of land that connects two larger land masses, often with water on both sides.
Desideratum: Something that is greatly desired or needed.
Buccaneer: A pirate or privateer, especially one operating in the Caribbean Sea.
League: A unit of distance, typically three miles.
Tonnage: The weight or volume of a ship’s cargo or the capacity of a ship to carry cargo.
Tram-road: A road built with rails for the transportation of goods, often by horse-drawn vehicles.
Malaria: A mosquito-borne disease characterized by fever and chills.
Declivity: A downward slope or inclination.
Locks: A system of chambers used to raise or lower ships in canals.
Terminus: The endpoint of a route or journey.

Examples:

Columbus’s Voyages: The author uses Columbus’s voyages as an example of the historical desire for a faster route to the East Indies, highlighting the long-standing goal of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Steam Navigation and Railways: Hill cites the recent development of steam navigation and railways, previously considered impossible, as evidence that the construction of a Panama canal is achievable.
Caledonian Canal and Amsterdam Canal: The author points to the successful construction of the Caledonian Canal and the canal between Amsterdam and Niewdiep, both expensive ship canals, as evidence of the feasibility of the Panama canal project.
Havanna Railway: Hill uses the construction of a railway in Havana, which was built mainly by Irish laborers, as an example of how to recruit and utilize skilled workers in a tropical climate.
M. Garella’s Survey: The author cites M. Garella’s survey of the Isthmus of Panama, commissioned by the French government, as evidence for the practicability of the canal project, despite conflicting reports about the severity of obstacles.
M. Morel’s Survey: The author details M. Morel’s survey of the Isthmus, which identified favorable routes and navigable rivers, further supporting the feasibility of a canal.
The Bay of Limon (Navy Bay): The pamphlet describes the Bay of Limon as a large and spacious harbor with sufficient depth for even the largest ships, making it an ideal location for the Atlantic terminus of the proposed canal.
The River Chagres: Hill details the navigability of the Chagres River to Cruces, highlighting its potential to be part of the canal route.
The River Trinidad: The text describes the River Trinidad as navigable to Embarcadero and emphasizes its potential to serve as a vital part of the canal route.
The River Farfan: The pamphlet mentions the Farfan River as a branch of the Rio Grande, highlighting its potential for use in connecting the canal to the Pacific Ocean.

Conclusion:

This 1845 pamphlet makes a strong case for the construction of a ship canal across the Isthmus of Panama, outlining its economic and strategic importance, the practicality of the proposed route, and the potential for significant financial returns. By addressing the challenges of climate and labor, and highlighting the recent advancements in technology, the author, H.R. Hill, persuasively argues that the project is not only feasible, but necessary. He champions the role of private enterprise in realizing this ambitious vision, suggesting that a Joint Stock Company, with the support of major maritime powers, could effectively develop and operate the canal. Ultimately, this text offers a valuable historical perspective on the early discussions about a Panama canal, showcasing the compelling arguments that fueled this transformative project and set the stage for its eventual realization in the 20th century.

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