THE SUEZ CANAL.
A well-informed correspondent says : Many have been the rumors about the failure of the Suez Canal, either from the drift sand of the desert or from evaporation, but very few of us were prepared for the contingency of its being salted up. It appears, however, that the whole canal is likely to become a colossal salt-pan. The sun is fierce in the land of Chem, and added to it is the hot blast produced by the burning sands of the desert. Under such conditions the evaporation must bo great. The water was let into the canal some six years ago, and a correspondent furnishes the Morning Post with some interesting data, which indicates the action which has been going on. Thirty-seven pounds of seawater is said to contain 1 lb. of salt; the water of the Red Sea at Suez contains something like this proportion, as indicated by the salinometer. In the Bitter Lakes it has been found that every 37 lbs. of the water already holds 2 lbs. of salt in solution. With this fact before us, it seems certain that the fate which befel Lot’s wife will be that of the Suez Canal. If the amount of salt is doubled in six years, how many years till it becomes a'solid mass ? The answer cannot be difficult. When time has realised this sad history, a pillar of salt will then be a most fitting monument upon which to write the epitaph of M. Lessep's grand work. Scientific facts and figures seem as cold and remorseless as an Oriental executioner ; and the one wipes out a great and useful work with as much indifference as the other sweeps off the head of a victim. As no one can look on, or even listen to the tale of an execution without some touch of sympathy, so no one could possibly hoar of the Suez Canal becoming useless without a pang of regret; it is therefore satisfactory to know that there are some other elements to bo considered besides those already given. Water can only hold a Certain amount of salt in solution, after which it will oomo to the surface and form a crust. Such a crust
is to be seen on the borders of the Dead Sea, and on the Salt Lakes of Ladak, only it is to be remembered that these lakes are fed by streams, or rivers of fresh water, such as the Jordan, and contain an infinitesimal amount of salt in comparison to that which flo\ys into the Bitter Dates from the Red Sea. - What has taken thousands of years to accomplish in the Dead Sea will be produced by the evaporation of sea-water in a land like Egypt in a comparatively short period. When the white crust is formed it will, to a certain extent, protect the water from the sun, but it cannot stop the evaporation. . Dong before the steamers which pass through the canal begin to be constructed with extra iron plates on their bows, as if intended, for the Arctic regions, and which may possibly, become necessary to protect the sides'of the ship when the crust in the Bitter Lakes has become thick, and masses of salt are floating about, these Same vessels will be bringing home or taking out that - most useful commodity from this great saltpan, and be thus diminishing the accumulation. The power of production will so great that .the whole world may be supplied. In many countries salt is scarce. In Abyssinia pieces of it are used for money. India could take large quantities. Turkey, Austria, Italy, in fact the whole of Southern Europe, are all now, by means'of the canal itself, close to this great manufactory. Asia is on one side and Africa on the other, and all require salt. Should this useful article become a nuisance in the canal, no doubt facilities would be given to those who came to remove it. Already, the same writer says, the Khedive has given, or is about to give, a concession for the manufacture of salt on the Bitter Dakes. Sow far the commerce of this article will in the future affect its accumulation is a question as yet beyond solution. The facts aro stated, as far as they are known, and it is certain that whatever affects such a great public work as the Suez Canal must be of interest to all.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18750911.2.18
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4517, 11 September 1875, Page 3
Word count
Tapeke kupu
736THE SUEZ CANAL. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4517, 11 September 1875, Page 3
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.