REPORT OF BOARD OF CONSULTING ENGINEERS, PANAMA CANAL.


 The Board then considered the second resolution submitted by the Executive Committee. After discussion the resolution was amended as follows, and adopted:
 (2) Resolved, That the Board considers that while, under the terms of the law, provision must be made for convenient passage for vessels of the largest tonnage and greatest draft now in use, and such as may be reasonably anticipated, and shall be supplied with all necessary locks and other appliances to meet the necessities of vessels passing through the same," this language does not imply that provision shall be made to enable vessels of very exceptional size, such as will probably rarely pass the canal, to attain the maximum speed usually permitted, that is to say, a speed of 6 miles (10 km.) per hour. To do so, as estimated at the Navigation Congress which assembled at Brussels in 1898, would demand a minimum cross section four times the maximum midship cross section of the ship. It will be sufficient to apply this rule to the largest vessels which will usually pass the canal. The minimum cross section of the canal may then be estimated by deducting 10 per cent from the product of draft and beam and multiplying the result by 4.
 At 1 p. m. the Chairman announced that the Board would take recess, and report again at 3 p. m.

 At 3.05 p. m. the Board reassembled, all the members being present.
 Mr. Noble read for the information of the Board a paper which he had prepared giving his views on the subject of dimensions of ships and the use of the proposed canal by shipping.
 The following resolution was submitted by Mr. Parsons, and adopted:
 Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to have the minutes of the Board, together with all written documents pertaining thereto, printed and delivered to the members as soon as possible after they have been approved by the Board; also that all papers submitted by the foreign members be properly translated.
 The Chairman stated that it was in order to consider the third resolution offered by the Executive Committee, as follows:
 (3) Resolved, That the minimum depth in the canal should be 35 feet, and the minimum width at bottom should be 150 feet.
 The above resolution was adopted without amendment.
 The fourth resolution of the Executive Committee was considered, and, after discussion, Mr. Welcker presented the following in its stead, which was adopted by the Board:
 (4) Resolved, That, leaving out of consideration the deep cut at the Culebra, in accordance with the conclusion reached at the Navigation Congress at Brussels there should be a horizontal berm of such width and height, and a slope above the berm, as shall be proven adequate to each location at the time of execution; that the slope in rock shall be as nearly perpendicular as possible, if not almost vertical; that, however, for the purpose of making estimates-but only for that purpose-the Board shall suppose the construction of a horizontal berm 10 feet in width, placed about 6 feet below the water surface, with slopes above the berm revetted to a height of about 7 feet above the water level.
 The Chairman stated that the Executive Committee recommended that at the next stated session the Board take under consideration the conditions affecting the construction of dams, with a view to preparing for future studies of which they form important elements.
 It was moved that the Chairman inform Mr. Lindon W. Bates that the Board would hear him on the subject of his projects at 60 Wall street, New York City, on Tuesday, September 12, at 10 a. m., and would accord him the time until 1 p. m.
 The motion was carried.
 The Board adjourned at 5.25 p. in., to meet at 60 Wall street, New York City, on Tuesday, September 12, at 10 a. m.
 JOHN C. OAKES,
 Captain, General StaJ, Secretary.


 FOURTH MEETING.
 60 WALL STREET, NEW YORK CITY, September 12, 1905. In accordance with the resolution passed at the last regular meeting, the Board met at 60 Wall street, New York City, at 10 a. m.
 Present: The CHAIRMAN and Mr. PARSONS.


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