From Temsah Lake to route crosses Temsah lake to Toussoum and the Serapeum cutting, through a plateau 46 ft. above the sea, where the waters were let in by the prince and princess of Wales, Feb. 28, 1869. There is a space of 8 in. from Temsah lake to the commencement of the Bitter lakes, which had to be dug to a depth varying from 30 to 62 ft., according to the undulations of the surface. In these deep cuttings, owing to the great width of the canal, the quantity of sand to be dug out (for it is nearly all sand, though sometimes agglomerated with clay) was enormous, requiring the constant labor of a large number of powerful dredging machines and elevators. In passing through the Bitter lakes, there was more embanking than excavating to be done, seeing that the bottom of this region is only two or three yards above the intended bottom of the great canal. From the southern end of the Bitter lakes to Suez, a distance of about 13 m., there is another series of heavy cuttings through the stony plateau of Chalouf, varying from 30 to 56 ft. in depth. Where cutting is thus difficult, the surface width is reduced considerably from the regular width of 327 feet. The canal is intended through out to be 72 ft. wide at the bottom, and 26 ft. deep.
On Nov. 16, 1869. the Suez canal was opened in form, with a procession of English and foreign steamers, in presence of the Khedive, the empress of the French, the em peror of Austria, the crown-prince of Prussia, and others. On Nov. 27, the Brazilian
went through; a ship of 1809 tons, 3S0 ft. long, 30 ft. broad, and drawing from 174 to 204 ft. of water. Since then, the canal has continued in successful operation, and pas sages have been made almost daily, chiefly by British vessels. The cost of construction of the canal was said to have reached, in Dec. 1869, the total of £11,627,000. In 1870, 491 ships, of 436,618 tons, passed through; and in 1874, 1264 ships, of 2,424,000 tons. About 70 per cent of the shipping and tonnage belongs to Great Britain. The great advantage of the canal is, of course, the shortening of the distance between Europe and India. From London or Hamburg to Bombay is by the cape about 11,220 m., but by Suez only 6,332; that is, the voyage is shortened by 24 days. From Marseilles or Genoa there is a saving of 30 days; from Triest, of 37. The rate at which steamers are allow ed to pass through, is from 5 to 6 knots an hour. The canal charges are, 10 francs per ton, and 10 francs per head for passengers. The receipts for 1873 amounted to 22,755,862 francs, or £911,032; for 1875 (when 1494 ships passed through), to 28,879,735 francs, or R1,155,185; for 1876 (1457 ships passed), 31,143,762 francs (£1,245,750).