Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

THE SUEZ CANAL. 253 where the ship had lain. Here was found a huge hole over 73 feet in depth. This is the greatest explosion of dynamite ever recorded. A fine system for giving speed to all ships in transit is in operation, much resembling the well-known railway “ block ” system. The The “Block” System. Company controls the depar- ture and entrance of all ships, the order of precedence being wholly in their hands. No ship may demand immediate passage for any reason, but preference is given to regular mail steamers under Government control. These carry blue signals and a white light at night. The Canal is blocked out in divisions, and at the head office in Ismailia a dummy model shows the exact moving position of every ship in the Canal. No vessel may proceed until the way is clear. A complete system of tele- graphic signals ensures this condition being observed. Dotted along the banks at regular intervals are small stations, each furnished with a high, masthead, from which red and yellow balls by day and coloured lights by night announce to each, vessel whether to pro- ceed through the next division or to “ tie-up ” and wait for one to go by from the opposite direction. Ships going the same way are not allowed to pass each other. Vessels of small tonnage may pass when travelling in opposite directions, or a large steamer may pass a small one, the latter drawing into the bank while the bigger one goes by. The rules governing the passage of vessels is certainly strict. Written information as to his ship must be handed in by each captain— her name, nationality, draught, and port of sailing and destina- tion, as well as his own name and that of owners and char- terers, number of passengers and crew. Naturally, nothing must be thrown overboard, especially ashes and cinders ; also, nothing is to be picked up, notice of any article lost overboard being given at the Rules governing the Traffic. ONE OF THE SHEERLEGS USED FOR REMOVING WRECKAGE FROM THE WATERWAY. WORKING LOAD, 60 TONS. (By Courtesy of the Suez Canal Company.) nearest station. No guns shall be fired and no steam-whistles blown except in. cases of extreme danger. One rule» also states that burial in the Canal banks is strictly forbidden. All sailing vessels above 50 tons must be towed ; if above 100 tons, they must take a pilot; and no sailing craft may navigate at night. Though pilots are compulsory, the entire responsibility remains with the captain. If a collision appears inevitable, all ships are instructed to run aground to avoid it, the sandy and yielding nature of the shallows near the banks offering the less of two evils ; but no floating ship is permitted to help off a grounded one. We cannot do better than describe a passage through, the Canal to show the efficiency of its working. It was dark when we entered the channel at Port Said. Along the banks we discerned, in the bright moonlight, the trees and