Page:Notes of a journey across the Isthmus of Krà.pdf/51

 prove our position; and if we can show, that by the saving of the two first of these items, we can establish communication across the Isthmus of Kraw, which shall also beat all present lines in point of the third, and most valuable item, time, we think it unnecessary to examine into the contingent saving which, to any one who will give intelligent consideration to them, will manifestly appear enormous.

19.—In the third clause of the seventeenth para. we have shown the saving in fuel and establishment of running steamers to be five lakhs per annum, representing a capital of one million sterling. Can the communication by Kraw be established within this sum? If so, all the contingent savings and gain in time go to the profit of trade, as well as any difference between the cost of the said communication and the keeping of it up. Our consideration of the subject of the communication across the Isthmus of Kraw has brought us to the following conclusions:—

1st.—That there should be two or three tug steamers with long fiat bottom boats, to carry goods and passengers from the five fathom anchorage of the large steamers twenty-six miles up the river Pakchan, as shown in the sketch map of the Isthmus by the dotted green line, in which distance the river is nowhere less than one fathom at dead low water spring tides. There is a rise and fall of eight feet. Time three hours towing.

2nd.—At this point (see plan), opposite Namoy river, a railway terminus and hotel, whence a railway will proceed (leaving Kraw to the north) by Tasan to Tsoompeon, on the shore of the Gulf of Siam, distance fifty miles, time three hours.

3rd.—Allow another six hours for discharging in the Pakchan, and loading at Tayoung on the Siam side (where there should be another railway terminus and hotel,) total time twelve hours, which is more than that required by the P. & Co. at Suez, on whose arrangements we will suggest further improvements.

4th.—There need be only a station in the centre of the line, where the rails should be double on either side, for the distance