108 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL

 retimates of ooat.-The special board of Army engineers estimated that
the total out-of-pocket cost of the work would be $199,481,000. That board
also estimated that the cost of a canal of 30 feet depth, but otherwise similar
in all respects to the one first described would be $171,38000
 PUBLIa WORK ETIBMAR

 The estimates of cost prepared by the Publlc Works Administration were
made before plans of the canal were fully matured and before the subsurface
and other investigations which were under way at the time could be com-
pleted. Provision could not be made, therefore, for certain conditions which,
though suspected, had not yet been fully developed.
 Dimensions of canal and number of locks.-Furthermore, though these esti-
mates contemplated a canal along the same trace as later proposed by the
special board of Army engineers, it was to be one with only two sets of locks
Instead of 3 and only 30 feet in depth. The locks were also somewhat nar-
rower than those provided in the later report and the provisions for appurte-
nant structures and control of underground water less extensive. It must be
remembered also that there has been a definite and substantial increase in
construction costs since the compilation of the figures on which the estimates
of the Public Works Administration were based.
 These figures showed the estimated' cost for the smaller canal to be
 $100200,00, exclusive of Interest during the period of construction.
 INDrIes or BOARD or BItZEW

 Estimates for lock canal by board of revoie.-This board of review finds that
 by reducing the berms along the canal from 200 feet to 100 feet, by providing
 bridges less elaborate than those requested by the Florida highway department
 but still adequate and safe for prospective trame and by eliminating the cut-
 off below Palatka that a 35-foot lock canal otherwise the same as that pro-
 posed by the special Army board can be built for $177,454,000.'
 A 30-foot canal but with locks as for the 35-foot canal to provide for future
 enlargement, can be built for $151,394,000.' Neither can be constructed for
 these sums in less than 6 years. The estimates are based on present-day costs
 and on the assumption that allotments of funds will be made regularly and
 continuously to the Army engineers so that the work can be prosecuted to the
 best advantage.
 The board of review desires to, Invite attention to the cost of operating the
 locks, estimated at $820,000 annually; to the possible shortage of lockage water
 previously discussed which would further increase capital and operating costs
 for a lock canal. Pumping stations are estimated to cost at least $500.000
 and operating charges* at $36,000 per year. Without considering the extra
 cost of lock construction or of sealing the canal prism to prevent excessive
 loss of water, both of which are unascertainable, the capitalized cost of lock
 operation and pumping at rates of 4 percent interest would be over $20,000000.
 Sea-level canal.-These uncertainties and the substantial sums involved have
 led the board of. review to consider the possibilities of a sea-level canaL
 With such a canal the uncertainties as to water supply, seepage, and hazards
 of construction would be eliminated, as would the extra cost of operating the
 locks and pumping should the water supply be inadequate. The time of transit
 for ships passing through the canal would be reduced by the time for lockages
 and Increased by the greater length of the 250-foot channel in the sea-level
 route. These differences practically offset each other.
 The sea-level route presents fewer hazards to shipping than does a lock
 canal and might draw shipping to it at a faster rate than indicated for the
 lock canal.
 SFor details ee table 1 herewith.
 SFor details see table 2 herewith.
 SFor details see table 8 herewith.
 SFor details see table 4 herewith.
 SOperates part time only.