DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL


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of a waterway across the peninsula of Florida to connect the waters of the
Atlantic Ocean with the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. About 1880, a half
century later, the matter was revived through surveys made by General Gil-
more, who was then with the Board of Army Engineers. In General Gilmore's
surveys it was found that feasible routes existed for the construction of this
waterway. At that time the commerce of this country and the commerce of the
world had not reached a development sufficient to warrant the construction of
the canal. Also, American waterway development was then in its infancy, and
funds for such purposes were not then available as they are today, and not
much more was said about the project until about 10 years ago.
 Four years ago physical surveys of this canal were authorized by the Con-
gress, following preliminary surveys which were made some 6 or 7 years ago.
The preliminary surveys warranted the Board of Army Engineers in making the
physical surveys and the Oongress in passing an item In the rivers and harbors
bill of 1980 for physical surveys. It was my pleasure to introduce both survey
bills. About $800,000 or $380000 has been spent by the Federal Government
in making these surveys of a waterway to connect the waters of the Atlantic
Ocean with those of the Gulf of Mexico through the southern part of Georgia
and/or northern portion of Florida. A large number of routes were surveyed
and this chart or map shows several of those which were considered and upon
which careful detailed physical sure were made. Among these is one lead-
ing from the entrance of the St. Marys River across the southern part of Geor-
gia, through the Okefenoke Swamp to the Suwannee River, and, by the way,
the Suwannee River is a rather large stream, and thence down the Suwannee
River to the Gulf of Mexico, coming out at the month of the Suwannee River.
Also, surveys were made branching off in the vicinity of White Springs, Fla.,
from the Suwannee River, going on out southwesterly to the Gulf of Mexico
in the vicinity of Deadmans Bay and also westerly to the Gulf of Mexico south
of Tallahassee, Fla. Another survey began at the Atlantic Ocean Just east of
the city of Jacksonville, a., and went northerly from the city of Jacksonville,
on the southern part of the Okefenoke Swamp, through what is known as the
south prong of the St Marys River, and on in the vicinity of Jasper, Fla., and
near the Suwannee River and thence south and on through the routes as
indicated in the south Georgia survey.
 Another entered from the Atlantic Ocean, by way of Jacksonville and goes on
down the St. Johns River to Black Creek, on in the vicinity of Middleburg, then
across the peninsula of Florida, just north of Starke and Lawtey, Fla., and
High Springs, Fla., and thence on to the Suwannee River across to Deadmans
Bay, at the mouth of the Steinhatchee River, and into the Gulf of Mexico.
It also carried a survey through the Suwannee River in a southwesterly direc-
tion to the mouth of the river. This proposed route or survey extends only
about 70 miles from tidewater of the St. Johns River to tidewater of the
Gulf of Mexico.
 Also, we have had commercial surveys of this route for a steamship canal
across the peninsula of Florida. This is the shortest possible route that could
be utilized. It is less than 70 miles from tidewater to tidewater. It will also
incur a low strip of land in the vicinity of High Springs and from there to the
Suwannee River on to the Gulf of Mexico and, in the opinion of many engi-
neers, if the most feasible possible route across south Georgia or northern
Florida from the Atlantic to the Gulf waterway.
 The Board of Engineers also carried their surveys from the Atlantic Ocean
by Jacksonville, Palatka, and on down the St. Johns River to the Oklawaha
River.
 From the Oklawaha River across a low strip of country to the Withlacoochee
River and on out to the Gulf of Mexico in the vicinity of Port Inglis, Dun-
nellon, and Yankeetown. This survey also carries another route from the
vicinity of Ocala, Fla., in a northeasterly direction, then in a westerly and a
southwesterly direction to a point between Cedar Keys and Port Inglis and
Dunnellon. That also encounters a low strip of country which is easily
dredgeable and through which a canal can be constructed with a minimum
degree of cost. This St. Johns-Oklawaha-Withlacoochee Rivers route via
Ocala is considered very feasible.
 There is another route branching off also from the St. Johns River, going
 across Santa Fe Lake, down the Santa Fe River on to the Suwannee River,
and on out to Cedar Keys, Fla. By some of the most learned engineers in
America that has been approved as one of the most feasible routes for a ship
canal across the northern part of Florida and the southern part of Georgia.