The Boy Travellers in Mexico / Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey to Northern and Central Mexico, Campeachey, and Yucatan, With a Description of the Republics of Central America and of the Nicaragua Canal

by Thomas Wallace Knox

NATIVE BOATS, LAKE NICARAGUA.

"What is the estimate of the amount of business of the Nicaragua Canal, and the revenues from it?" queried Frank.

"I can best answer that question," replied the Doctor, "by quoting from a writer in Harper's Magazine. He says the wheat trade between our Pacific coast and Europe requires a million tons of shipping, and as each ship must pass twice through the canal, this trade alone would be two millions of tons a year. The coasting trade between the Atlantic and Pacific ports of the United States would add another million tons, and the tea trade between Europe and China and Japan, the guano and nitrate trade of South America, the whaling trade of the Pacific, the wool trade between Australia and Europe, would altogether bring the business of the canal up to five or six millions of tons a year. At two dollars a ton, the toll that is charged by the Suez Canal, there would be a revenue of ten or twelve million dollars without considering the growth of the world's commerce from year to year. It is estimated that the running expenses and repairs to the canal would not exceed half a million dollars annually, so that there would be a good profit on the outlay of $100,000,000."

Fred asked what saving of distances would be effected by the canal.

CENTRAL AMERICAN HACIENDA.

"Between the Atlantic and Pacific ports of the United States," was the reply, "the saving would be 8000 or 9000 miles over the Cape Horn route. From New York to ports in Asia and Australasia there would be a saving of 500 to 3000 miles over any route except by Suez, and between Europe and Japan sailing-vessels will save 3000 miles by taking the Nicaragua route. There can be no reasonable doubt that the world's commerce will be greatly benefited by the opening of the proposed canal, and in a few years we may see it operated to its full capacity, of every year passing eleven thousand ships from ocean to ocean."

Fred was ready with another question, but before it was put a friend called to tell them that a steamer for Havana and New York had just arrived at Progreso, and would leave in a few hours.

Nicaraguan canals and all other Central American subjects were dropped, and preparations immediately made for departure. Already their farewell calls had been made on friends and acquaintances at Merida, baggage was quickly in readiness, they were at the station in ample time for the train, and before sunset were on the deck of the steamer, which speedily put her machinery in motion, and steamed away to the eastward.