At the port of Valencia (in Spain), the extraction of large blocks, the transport to the quay and loading, only cost 4 fr. 25.
Hewn Stone.—The hewn stone for the barrage, came from the quarries of Toura and Massara, at an average distance of 33 kil. from the place where used. These stones were first transported a distance of 6 kil. to the banks of the Nile, by means of bullock carts, then transferred to sailing barges, and carried by water to the distance above-mentioned.
The price per cubic metre was 24 piast. (6 fr.) for extraction, and 18 piast. (4 fr. 50) for carriage; in all 10 fr. 50.
For the works of the Maritime Canal, stone will be used coming from quarries now in work on the banks, at the level of high water for the whole extent of the Gulf of Suez, and also from quarries on the shore of the Red Sea, at a distance of about 10 kil. from Suez, which furnish a shelly calcareous stone, soft when extracted, but hardening by exposure to the air, and also in sea water.
This stone has been successfully employed in building the Grand Hotel of Suez, and has cost 33 piast. (8 fr. 25.) the cubic metre, hewn and delivered at the quay.
We have adopted this price, increased by 60 per cent. in order to cover the distance, and to arrive more easily at the comparison which we wish to establish.
Bricks.—The bricks used in the barrage were made by steam machines, and cost, on account of extraordinary circumstances, 26 fr. per thousand. Those which will be made by hand or by means of bullock machines in the Wady Tomilat, will not cost half so much; for they can be made in the whole of that valley at the rate of 6 to 7 fr. per thousand, on account of the great quantity of combustibles found in that locality.
We have however assumed, that on account of the expense of transport, from Pelusium to Suez, the bricks will come to the same price, as at the barrage, which is evidently an excess.
Lime.—The lime cost at the barrage, 8 fr. 70 the cubic metre, delivered on the spot. That which is made at Suez comes to 7 fr. 75 delivered. This lime is made in the valley of Guébé, with the combustibles found there in abundance, and which only cost the labour of cutting and transport.