Bottom width of channel, minimum, 9 miles, Culebra cut. There will be 12 locks in the canal, all in duplicate three pairs in flight at Gatun, with a combined lift of 85 feet; one pair at Pedro Miguel, with a lift of 30 feet, and two pairs at Miraflores, with a combined lift of 543 feet at mean tide. The dimensions of all are the same-a usable length of 1,000 feet and a usable width of 110 feet. Each lock will be a chamber, with walls and floor of concrete and water-tight gates at each end. OTHER INFORMATION. No vessel will be permitted to enter or pass through the locks under its own power. Electricity will be used to tow all vessels into and through the locks, and to operate all gates and valves, power being generated by water turbines from the head created by Gatun Lake. The entire length of the canal from deep water in the Atlantic to deep water in the Pacific is about 50 miles. Its length on land is about 40 miles. In passing through it from the Atlantic to the Pacific, a vessel will enter a channel with a bottom width of 500 feet in Limon Bay, follow this for about 7 miles to Gatun, where it will enter a series 1 Exclusive of usable French excavation. 2 While Jan. 1, 1915, is the date set for the official opening of the canal, it is the intention to allow vessels to utilize the canal as soon as practicable. Present indications seem to bear out the opinion previously expressed by the chairman and chief engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission that this can be accomplished during the latter half of 1913, although it is too far in advance at this time to fix any definite date. Shipping interests will, however, be advised without unnecessary delay as soon as the commission feels assured that vessels can be passed. of three locks in flight and be lifted 85 feet to the level of Gatun Lake. It will sail at full ocean speed through this lake, in a channel varying from 1,000 to 500 feet in width, for a distance of about 24 miles, to Bas Obispo, where it will enter the Culebra cut. It will sail through the cut, a distance of about 9 miles, in a channel with a bottom width of 300 feet, to Pedro Miguel. There it will enter a lock and be lowered 30 feet to a small lake, at an elevation of 54 feet above sea level, and will sail through this for about 14 miles to Miraflores. There it will enter two locks in series and be lowered to sea level, passing out into the Pacific through a channel about 8 miles in length, with a bottom width of 500 feet. The depth of the approach channel on the Atlantic side, where the tidal oscillation does not exceed 14 feet, will be 41 feet at mean tide, and on the Pacific side, where the maximum oscillation is 23 feet, the depth will be 45 feet at mean tide. In the sundry civil act of March 4, 1911, $2,000,000 were appropriated for the construction of seacoast batteries on the Canal Zone; and $1,000,000 for seacoast cannon, equipments and arsenals to cost ultimately not exceeding $1,966,000. SUEZ CANAL. Without locks, connecting the Mediterranean with the Red Sea, opened for navigation November 17, 1869. Cost, as originally completed, about $100,000,000. Length of canal from High Lighthouse at Port Said to its junction with the Red Sea, about 87 nautical miles (66 miles actual canal and 21 miles lakes). Width of the floor (originally 72 feet) now 121 feet throughout, and is to be widened in southern portion to 148 feet. Width at surface, 420 feet. Depth throughout main navigable channel nowhere less than 31 feet, admitting vessels of 28 feet draft. Dredging now going on, and within next five years it is proposed to obtain a depth of 344 feet throughout, which will afford a safe passage through to vessels up to 31 feet draft. Sidings, called "gures," excavated for passage of vessels at several points, radius of the curves, 2,000 feet. Tariff for transit when first opened was 10 francs ($1.93) per ton, and 10 francs ($1.93) per passenger. Rates have been changed, at present being 7 francs 75 centimes ($1.50) per ton, and 10 francs ($1.93) per passenger. Latest report of annual receipts, about $21,000,000. Time of transit ordinarily from 16 to 19 hours, but depends entirely upon circumstances, as the vessel is in charge of the official of the company, who determines the hour of departure of each ship and all subsequent stopping and restarting, as well as all other movements of the ship, in such manner as to give full security for the navigation, as well as to insure as much as possible the rapid passage of mail steamers. No ship can demand as a right an immediate passage through. Maximum speed of all ships is fixed at 10 kilometers, equal to 5} nautical miles per hour. Vessels proceed under their own steam. PERSONNEL OF THE NAVY. OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE ACTIVE LIST OF THE NAVY. Officers on the active list of the Navy, November, 1911, consist of the following: Admiral of the Navy. Rear admirals. Captains... 96 Commanders... 116 Lieutenant commanders. 211 Lieutenants.. 351 Lieutenants (junior grade). 128 Ensigns. 421 Chief boatswains. 101 Midshipmen at sea.. 281 Boatswains.. Medical directors. 15 Chief gunners. Gunners.. Passed assistant surgeons.. Assistant surgeons.. Acting assistant surgeons. 9 Carpenters... Pay directors.. 14 Chief sailmakers. The total of 2,967 officers is divided in the various branches of the naval service as follows: Total number of line officers.. Total number of staff officers... Total number of midshipmen at sea. Total number of warrant officers.. Total.... OFFICERS ON THE RETIRED LIST OF THE NAVY, NOVEMBER, 1911. 1, 354 664 281 645 2,944 PETTY OFFICERS AND ENLISTED FORCE OF THE NAVY. Number of petty officers, seamen, land men, boy, etc., for each year from act of Mar. 3, 1885, to and including act of Mar. 4, 1911. Act of Mar. 3, 1885 (48th Cong., 2d sess.).. 8.250 8.250 8.250 8.250 8.250 8.250 8.250 8.250 9.000 9.000 9,000 10.000 11,750 13.750 20.000 20.000 25,050 28.000 31,000 34.000 37,000 37.000 38,500 44,500 44.500 47,500 47.500 Entire pay of officers and men of the Navy for each year from act of Mar. 3, 1885, to and including act of Mar. 4, 1911. Act of Mar. 3, 1885 (48th Cong., 2d sess.). $6,940, 780. 00 7, 000, 000, 00 7, 000, 000, 00 7,082, 404. 00 7,250,000.00 7,250,000.00 7, 300.000.00 7,300,000.00 7,300,000.00 7, 475, 000, 00 7,649, 329. 00 8, 100, 873. 00 8, 235, 385. 00 9, 125, 460. 00 13. 500, 171. 00 12,810, 897.00 15. 200, 284, 00 16, 138, 199, 00 17, 706, 099. 00 19, 324, 093, 00 Act of Mar. 2, 1905 (58th Cong., 3d sess.) (Reappropriation $2,500,000). 17,500, 000, 00 1 Under act of May 4, 1898, the Secretary of the Navy was authorized to enlist as many seamen, landsmen, and boys as he deemed necessary. The greatest number in service during 1898, 22,822; the greatest number in service during 1899, 24,123. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENLISTMENT IN THE NAVY. An applicant for enlistment must be a citizen of the United States, native or naturalized, between 17 and 35 years old, of good character and habits, able to read, write, and speak English. A minor under 18 enlists for minority only, and must furnish sworn consent of parent or guardian. Applicants over 18 enlist for four years, and minors must furnish a birth certificate or verified written statement of parent or guardian as to their age and height. All applicants must be in good physical condition, free from any disease or deformity, at least 64 inches high and weighing 128 pounds for an adult, with weight increasing in proportion to height. A minor must be at least 62 inches tall and weigh 110 pounds, increasing proportionately with age and height. Detroit, Mich., Bamlet Building, Griswold Street and Grand River Avenue. Chicago, Ill., 208 North Fifth Avenue. St. Louis, Mo., Twelfth and Olive Streets. San Francisco, Cal., 268 Market Street. Portland Oreg., Railway Exchange Building. Substations are maintained in smaller cities. Enlistments are also made at all navy-yards and naval stations. CITIZENSHIP OF ENLISTED FORCE. |