THE SUEZ CANAL

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1929, Page 7

THE SUEZ CANAL

AN ANCIENT PROBLEM. Seventy years ago, on April 2j, 1859 the first spadeful of sand was turned near the site of Port Said, and the work of constructing the Suez Canal was begun. This was not the first attempt to unite East and West by a waterway. More than 3000 years ago when the civilisation and commerce of the world centred about the Mediterranean Sea and the Egyptians thought it important to find a market for their goods in the East, they too, built canals to carry on commerce with Arabia Persia, and India (says the New York Times.)

EARLY CONSTRUCTION. Seti 1., who reigned about 1380 B.C. is supposed to have built the first canal connecting the Nile with the Red S'ea. He reigned but a few years, and it is probable that his son, Rameses 11, contributed to the building of the canal, which diverged from the Nile at Bubastis,.and continued to a port on the gulf which no longer exists, but is known as the Bitter Lakes, through which the Suez Canal makes its course But 3000 years ago Egyptians believed some legend to the effect that the level of the lied Sea was nine meters higher than~that of the Mediterranean. If a canal were built to unite the two seas, an inundation of Egypt would follow, they thought. And so they hollowed the canal from Bubastis and utilised that branch of the Nile, known as the Pelusaic to complete the passage to the Red Sea, whore merchandise was transferred to ships. After a time the “Canal of the P,haraohs” became clogged with silt, and Pharaoh Necho built another one. Herodotus tells us that in the undertaking 120,000 men lost their lives Tiough the work was not completed until 632 ,B.C. when Darius undertook it. Pile canal was abandoned during the 'ong wars and invasions to which Egypt vas subjected from the death of Darius to the reign of Ptolemy 11., who repaired it. He made a continuous canal and inserted locks at both ends.

Dining the Arabian period the canal vas hollowed out again under* Caliph Omar, by ’Amr, who conquered Egypt n 639 A.D.

The Ci usades gave a new impetus to ,rade with Hie East and as far hack as he thirteenth century France began to make definite plans, at one time and •mother to open a route over the isthmus. When more is known of the poetical motives of Napoleon it will be onUsed that Ins thoughts . centred limit trade with the Orient. So that ■ hen Ferdinand de Lesseps undertook - carry out his idea- of the Suez Canal e found that other countries beside ranee sought the • key to tfiide with India, and they offered the greatest esistance to the accomplishment o§ his purpose. He laid his plans at the i'eet of Mohammed Said Pasha, the Viceroy of Egypt,'* who immediately ordered a survey at his own expense. The ngineers Linat Bey and Mougel Bel •■•ore engaged to draw up plans. Said :, asha gave his consent to go ahead vith the work.

At the head of the canal on the Medi ierranean Sea stands the monument of Ferdinand de Lesseps. He beckons to (he ships as they arrive, and with outstretched hands directs the way to the Orient.