Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 1.djvu/476

 proposed to construct along the old route from Keneh to Kosseir, which might thus — again become one of the chief commercial outports of the Nile Valley. Here the large steamers plying on the Red Sea might ship goods, thereby saving the heavy transit dues across nearly tue whole of Egypt to Alexandria. In 1862 an alternative but longer line was proposed by the English, running from Keneh to the ancient port of Berenice, and mainly following the old Roman route. Were this

railway constructed, sailing vessels would be enabled to avoid the tedious and dangerous navigation in the northern waters of the Red Sea.

The present town of Kosseir stands on an almost flat beach, in front of which the shipping is obliged to anchor in an exposed roadstead. But the smaller Arab craft find a shelter close inland, where they are protected by a coral reef from north and north-east winds. The dilapidated fort commanding the town was built by the French during the Egyptian expedition under Bonaparte. Kosseir is badly supplied with wells, which explains its scanty vegetation. The only real fresh water comes all the way from the Nile; but most of the inhabitants are fain