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Kugineening. THE NICARAGUA CANAL, The ‘Trade Review recently referred to an able brochure by David M. Richardson, Esq., of Detroit, Mich, on the Nicaragua canal and other public quesiions, Opportunity is now taken to present the salient points of his remarks upon an inter-oceamie canal, vc- companied by a muap of the proposed route which originally appeared in the San Fran- cisco Journal of Commerce and for whieh we are indebted to Mr. Richardson. — Lt will be observed that the N agua enual is 173% miles long. ‘The section trom the Atlantic to the location marked B, is the canal pro- per, 36 miles !gng, and containing tive locks With a lift of 22 teet each, by means of which ships reach the summit level of navigation. At the point marked Ba’ dam is constructed, a favorable location with rock abutments having been selected. ‘This dam, made of cut stone, is 2,800 feet long and 49 feet high, and elevating the river above itto a height five feet below the level of Lake Nicaragua, The distance from the dain to the lake being 5246 miles, the fall is a little less than one inch per mile, which will create a current of about one and one-half miles per hour, car- rying the water, at ordinary lake level, two and a half feet above the crest of the dam. The river San Juan is improved and straight- ened before the dam is completed, and thus transformed into an estuary or extension of the lake, ‘The lake navigation is unimpeded, with an average of nine fathoms depth, al- though the lake, is in many places 15 to 20 fathoms (90 to 120 feet) deep. ‘The water is clear, tresh and sweet, ‘The extreme of high and low water at the commencement ‘and end of the rainy season, is never over six feet. ‘The area of the lake is about 14,- 000 square miles—about the size of Luke Erie, but deeper. ‘The Pacific division, from the lake to the.Pacitic ocean, has a cut of only 40 teet depth above lake level; and like the Atlantic Division, is fitted with locks to overcome the level of the laks above the ocean. ‘The canal is to be cut 28 feet deep; the locks 600 feet long, 85 feet wide, and feet deep, with iron gates moved by steam ower, which will also be used in moving sailing ships through the locks. Steamships will, of course use their own power. ‘These locks are fitted with two latteral openings of five feet diameter on each side, (or four openings in all), which will empty. or fill the lock in 11 minutes. ‘The locks will be made of concrete, faced at the top with heavy hardwood native timber, which will not be injnred by the teredo navalis, the wa- ter being fresh. ‘The supply of water isa hundred fold the capagity of the canal, and always free of floods; consequently under easy control. The delay of passing each vessel should not exceed 30 minutes. ‘Ihe rate of speed in canal proper can be placed at four miles per hour, and on the lake and slack water river summit level, approxi- mately full speed. The time to pass through can thus be calculated: Canal navigation 63 miles at four miles per hour, 1314 hours; summit navigation, 120: miles at eight miles per hour, 16- hours; passage through ten locks at 30- minutes each, five hours; total time, 3314 hours, which may be further re- duced by greater speed on summit level, which on the lake can as well be 12 or 15 milesgper hour as eight miles. ‘The distances are thus divided: Canal, Atlantic to San Juan River dam, 36 miles; Slackwater river navigation, 5214 miles; lake navigation, 68 miles; canal, Pa- citic to Lake Nicaragua, 1714 miles: total engthn, 17314 miles. Thé engineeér’s estimate of cost, (United States survey), bused upon actual close in- strumental surveys, is $41,000.000, which with 25 per cent. contingency added, makes approximately $52,000,000. ‘lime for con- struction four to five years. Mr. Richardson makes these points against the bill presented to Congress: 1. ‘The toll authorized to be charged (2.50 per ton) is excessive; 50 cents a ton would yield a_pro- bable profit of $3,000,000 to $6,000,000 a year. 2. Thereisa possibility that the canal, when done, may be operated’ in the interest of the three great Pacific railways. 3. A ma- jority of the stock might pass under the con- trol of a foreign power. By the’ terms of the bill the Government is to guarantee 3 per cent. per annum of net profits on the to- tal cost ot the caral (estimated at $150,000,- 000) for 20 years. Mr. Richardson strongly advocates the position that the Government should construct the canal. He urges: 1. That,it would shorten the water route be- tween New York and San Francisco over 10,000 miles; 2, that it would place New York “ithin 30 days sail by steam of Yoko- homa, Shanghai, Melbourne and Sidney; 3, that it would diminish freight rates between New York and San Fransisco at least one- half; 4, that the reduced rates thus secured to shippers would effect an annual saving to the cuuntry more than equal to the annual interest on the estimated cost of the canal; 5, that the business of the canal would have the advantage of continu- ing all the year; 6, that it would furnish an- other strong bond of union betwéen the eastern and western coasts; 7, that it would make this country the great commercial cen- ter of the world. He suggests that the great work be prosecuted under the direction of a commission composed of eight competent, trustworthy men, two of whom shall be ex- perienced engineers, aud the appointments divided up equally between the two great parties, He maintains that the canal can be made self-supporting at reasonable tonnage rates, und also to yield a revenue to the Government. CANAL ‘TOLLS, Mr. Hugh McLennan, manager of the Montreal Traasportation Company was seen by our reporter at the Windsor Hotel. Ina conversation about the grain trade, he al- Juded to the canal tolls and said that he hoped the government would see its way clear to remove them, Suchan act would be of much more benefit than many are aware of. For iustance, ifa merehant in Liverpool wants a certain quantity of grain, he as prices in several cities in the United States, He tinds that he can obtain it from those who ship by the Erie canal just three pence per quarter jess than he can trom those who torward by way of the St. Lawrence. It is the canal tolls that make this difference of three pence per quarter, and if they were removed this route would be placed on an equal footing with the Erie. Then the competition would be fair, and without doubt this route would receive the preference, by reason of its safety and dispatch. Mr, MeLennan was very earn- est about the removal of tolls, While in the city he inspected the stock ef the company, and was highly pleased with its condition. One thing, however, he said was, that Cap- tain Gaskin had spent as much on improve- ments as the company would make in a year. —Kingston News. ss ; gs 3 S NAN © Mt, Ce) iy, alin contains the flags, code of signals, ete. ‘The fleet consists of the schooner-yacht Rhoda, the cutter Cricket and the sloops, Ella, Lau. ra, Fascination, Katie Grey, Guinevere and Maud. Nach yacht carries, besides her reg- War pennant, the signal flags which have been adopted by the club, This signal code is complete and embraces everything for communication between yachts in all weath- er. ‘The club propose” many interesting events for the coming season and expect to give yachting such an impetus this year that the interest will inerease and the club mem- bership grow rapidly, ‘The annual regatta of the club will be held in August each year together with such other regattas as may be provided for by the club ata regular monthly meeting. NAUTICAL AND SCIENTIFIC. . $3.50 per M has been offered for lumber from Georgian Bay ports to Prince Arthur’s Landing. The mail steamers will burn coal this sea- son, and have had the necessary alteration made during the winter, There is no likelihood of the propeller James Davidson running between Chieago and Ogdensburg. ‘The crop prospects on the Pacitic coast are improving. The Argentine Republic i d to be the largest cattle raising count the world. The first schooner outward from Quebee started down the St. Lawrence river on April 16. BLEWFIELDS fi gy Yas NG *, YACHTING. Pierre Lorillard’s new steamyacht Radha, says the Nautical Gazette, is at the yards of the Pissey & Jones Co., at Wilmington, Del., where she will receive a new boiler. A grand open regatta off Nahant or Hull, where the larger class of yachts can have deep water, is tulked of by the Dorchester sent Club, to take place Saturday, June The schooner yacht Intrepid, Mr. Lloyd Phoenix, after an absence of nearly five months, arrived in New York on the 27 ult., having visited Burmuda, St. Kitts, and other West Indian ports, returning by the way of Key West, Fernandina. Savannah, Delaware Breakwater, and thence home. Wood Bros., at Jeffries Point, have con tracted to build for a Boston party a steam yacht of the following dimensions: Length, 50 feet; beam, 714 feet. Her frame is to be of white oak and cedar planking, with cop- per iecetraity oe The boilexand engine will be supplied by New York parties. She will be finished and ready for use July 1, and is expected to make at-least 12 knots an hour. The yacht Fortuna was launched at Poil- lon’s yard at the foot of Bridge St. Brook- lyn, on Thursday noon. She is owned by Henry A. Hovey, of the Eastern, New York, and New Bedford clubs. She was modelled and designed by A. Cary Smith, measurer ot the New York and Seawanhaka clubs, and is one of the finest keel schooners ever built in this country. Hei: dimensions are, 115 feet in length, 23 feet beam and 13 feet depth of hold. Mr. Gordon Bennett’s steamyacht Na- mouna has had a very narrow escape from’ being totally lost at Villefraneche. It ap- pears that Mr. Bennett, having ordered steam to be got up, put his captain and mate on shore, taking charge himself, tor the avowed purpose of showing them how to handle a yacht. Steaming out of the harbor of Villefranche, she all but collided with the French gunboat Hyene; once outside the Mole, the Namouna was steered straight for the railroad station at Villefranche, and, consequently ran full speed ashore in a very few moments, Fortunately, the beach where she struck was composed chiefly of sand; hence, after discharging some forty tons of coal and stores, she was got off by yome tugboats from Nice, apparently with- obt having sustained any serious damage. The gunboat Hyene offered assistance which, it is understood, was declined, Mr. Bennett stating that he ran the vessel ashore for his own amusement.—London World. Commodore John ‘tl. Mott, of the Oswego yacht club, has received the published code of signals, charter and constitution of the club. [tis a neat little book of 64 pages and Wy oy NICARAGUA CANAL TOTAL LENGTH 1734 MILES. ‘It is claimed that the southern New Jer- sey coast is one of the best places in the world for invalids. The Mobile Board of ‘Trade and the New Orleans Chamber of Commer¢e have en- dorsed the Florida ship canal scheme. During the month of March the German immigrants arriving here outnumbered oth- er nationalities, by four to one. The Calkers’ Association of Portland, Me., have voted that the price fora day’s work shall be $3.33 during this year. The dome-shaped steamer Meteor cannot be used tor two months yet. It has been found that her engines will not work prop- erly. The shipyard of Port Richmond, Philadel- phia—the Gorringe yard—is very busy. Eight iron vessels are now under contract there. The departure of the Britsh steamer Oceanic, trom San Franciseo for Japan and China has been postponed from thg 21 to the 24 of April. The dining rooms of. the Richelieu and Ontario steamers will be run on the Euro- pean plan this year, a change that will bene- fit sea-sick passengers more thanjthe com- pany. The Sparta and Magnet, two of the largest passenger steamersin the Richelieu and On- tario Navigation Company’s fleet, have been ebartered to: run on the Georgian Bay in connection with the Canadian Pacific rail- way. Kingston News: Captain Thomas Don- nelly, while on his way up from Brockville with the Conqueror, saw the schooner Ariel of Port Hope, ashore just opposite the camp grounds, She is light, but to all appearance | fixed firmly on the rocks. Captain Phelps refused the Conqueror’s offer to pull the ves- sel off. Arrangements have been made by which the Commercial Line steamers Cuba, Russia, Scotia, Colorado and Nebraska will carry freight eastwardand westward between Chi- eago and Buffalo for the New York, Lacka- wanna & Western Railroad. The Roanoke, of the same line, will run between Chicago and Ogdensburg. Secretary Folger had a conference with Secretary relinghuyson last week, in refer- ence tothe removal of the American Consu- late at Sagua la Grand, Cuba, to Boca Isabel. This change has been suggested by Ameri- can shipmasters on the ground that the lat- ter is a more convenient port. It is under- stood that the Secretaries do not regard a: change as expedient at present. David Kahowiler, manufacturer of Katun- weiler’s Never Sink Cork Jackets, improved patent life preservers, ring buoys, fenders and life rafts, has removed to 146, 148, an 150 Worth street, nexr Centre, New York, On xecount of the reported existence of yellow fever ino Cuonand other southern islands, the National Board of Health has decided to establish quarantine stations on the southern coast earlier than usual this year. [tis proposed to open the station at New Orleans on May 1, und those at the southern ports not later than May 15. Hight Hon, Joseph Chamberlain, Presi- dent of the Board of ‘Trade, has issued a cirs ewlar in whieh the announcement is made that the Bourd of ‘Trade has decided to pub- lish a register which shall show to what de- gree the load-line fixed by ship owners dif- fers from that required by the Board of Trade. ‘the latter, he ennounces, will make a special rule to apply te Atlantie winter yoyag The register will first: deal with steamers, The president of the Kingston Sailors, Union has been written to by Buffalo Law- yers, asking if Messrs. Stephen Casson, Bur- rie Lachance, Wm. George and Charles Dunean are known there, and if the writer can be informed of their whereabouts. ‘The men were sailors and deckhands on the pro- peller Canistee and schooner Murray, which collided on Lake Michigan in 1880, ‘The season on Lake Ontario is fairly opened for sailing vessels, though steamers as a rule, have not left their docks yet. Rates to Montreal are quoted uominal at 20 vents on flour and 5 cents on grain, without any charters reported, and while west-bound freights are not yet established, it is safe to- say they will be higher rather than lower than last year. Until recently 2 cents was the rate on grain to lower Jake ports, but it is now shaded with two charters at 11g cents, Lumber is carried at-from $1.15 to $1.25 to Oswego, the latter being the ruling rate, with return cargoes ot ‘coal at 25 cents.— Toronto Mail.. : The Solicitor of the Treasury has decided that collectors of customs should collect from the owners or masters of foreign private steam vessels carrying passengers a fee of 20: cents each for certified copies of certificates of inspection deliverec to them under the re- quirements of the act of 1882. . ‘The Solicitor has also given his opinion that he knows of no reason to change his former opinion that the collection of the above fees on certifi- cates to domestic ‘steam vessels is illegal. Collectors of customs have been instructed to act in accordance with this decision. The French Admiralty are now having thirty-one vessels constructed in the govern- ment dockyards and fifteen in private yarde.. Fourteen of them are ironclads, and ace esti- mated to cost $25,000,000. ‘The two princi-- pal ships, the Admiral Baudin and the Formidable, are. to cost $2,200,000 each. The Pulsometer Steam Pump Company,,. on account of increased facilities for manu- facturing, have lately reduced the price-list of the new pulsometer steam pumps about one-third. Business is reported constantly” on the increase. The company lately sent one of their hydraulic engineers to New Or- leang, La., to superintend the running of one- ot their. pumps on ‘exhibition at the tiead- quarters of their agents, Messrs. H, Dudley Coleman & Brother. Among the other or- ders he obtained while there, was a contract to supply a full plant of new pulsometers,. boilerr, etc., for irrigating a tract of land in Mexico, 40 by 25 miles square. Chicago Tribune: The outlook is en- couraging for vesselmen. ‘The season will probably be short and active, and also pro- fitable. Last year navigation was fairly Open by the last of March, and continued almost till December first resulting in meager earn- ings to a few and actual loss to many—pro- bably to seventy per cent of the owners of vessel engaged in the lumber trade. At times it was difficult to secure a cargo at any price, and the low scale ot. rates rendered business unremunerative. ‘his was mainly due to the prolonged season. Vessel owners. were discouraged, and could buyers have been found would have sold their’ vessels at a sacrafice. ‘lhe favorable opening of the: present season has mide them cheerful and hopefui. he present rates are far in excess of those prevailing at the corresponding pertod of last year. The wife of a captain living in Chicago writes to the Inter Ocean as follows: “Several years ago you brought happiness. to many homes along the lakes by driving female cooks off the lakes. Now I want to post you. Captains are sneaking in these women again. They destroy all discipline on shipboard, and the assertion by eaptains to owners that they are cheaper than men cooks and save money to the vessel,.is all false. ‘Then, ina storm, men cooks can take hold and help, while a woman is only in the way, or worse, for she often unnerves the crew by her alarm. Besides all this the mate wants to love the woman cook as well as the captain does, and there is often trouble between these two commanding officers. A great grain fleet is nbout leaving Chicago for below, and [ want you todrive the women off these vessels. My husband’s schooner is among the rest,” q