DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL


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 ArTLm To-GULr SHIP CANAL ANNEX To REPorr or BOARD OF REVIEW
 ACTIVITIU
 Organrzation.-At its first meeting the representatives of the War Depart-
ment and those of the Public Works Administration unanimously selected Mr.
Walter J. Douglas as the fifth niember and Maj. Brehon Somervell as recorder.
At its next meeting Mr. Douglas was chosen unanimously as chairman.
 Inspection of ste.--With full membership, the board made an intensive in-
spection of the site of the proposed canal and of other work of a similar nature
now under way in Florida. Special care was taken to compare the difficulties
of construction and the character of the material as shown by the borings on
the line of the proposed canal with those observed on work in progress. The
character of the terrain, the existing transportation facilities, and other con-
ditions controlling costs of construction, were examined.
 Other investigations.-A careful study was made of the report of the special
board of Army engineers, and of the extensive data assembled by the Army
engineers. The estimates prepared by the Administration of Public Works
were also studied by this board. These studies were supplemented by original
investigations made by its members on methods of construction which were
worked out In some detail, on costs of similar work falling within their experi-
ence, on available water supply, on ground water, on bridges, and other
appurtenant structures.
 Views of local interests.-Those desiring to present their views were heard
by this board and such written data as were submitted were given careful
consideration. As a result of these studies and investigations we unanimously
submit the following:
 PLANS AND ESTIMATES OF ABMY BOARD
 The special board of Army engineers, after considering 28 different locations,
determined1 the most practical and economical route for a ship canal across
Georgia and/or Florida to be one following the St. Johns River, Fla., from the
Atlantic Ocean to about Palatka, Fla., thence in a general westerly direction to
the Gulf of Mexico, near the mouth of the Withlacoochee River, Fla. The plan
of improvement adopted by this board was for a lock canal with a canalized
section through the high ground in the center of the Florida Peninsula and with
sea-level approaches up the St. Johns and Withlacoochee Valleys.
 Type and dimensions of canal recommended by Army special board.-A sum-
mit level was selected at between 40 and 45 feet above sea level with three sets
of locks, one at the Atlantic end and two at the Gulf end. The canal con-
sidered as best meeting the prospective demands of shipping was one 35 feet
deep with suitable provisions for overdepth and 40 feet over the sills at the
locks. Bottom widths for the channel of 250 feet in land sections, 400 feet in
open-water reaches, and of 500 and 1,000 feet in the Gulf were adopted.
 Water supply.-The water supply for lockages and for maintaining the pool
levels in the summit section was to come from Silver and Blue Springs and
from the Oklawaha and Withlacoochee Rivers. An examination of the prospec-
tive traffic and of the water required for lockages, seepage, and evaporation
showed that pumping would be required after the contemplated traffic material-
ized. The Army board also called attention to the uncertainty of the supply
from Blue Springs if the head on the springs be raised to the height adopted
for the summit level.
 Appurtenant works.-Generous allowances which took cognizance of the
recommendations of the Florida Highway Department and the Bureau of Light-
houses were made for appurtenant structures such as bridges, including high-
way and railway relocations, aids to navigation, water-supply works, and ferries.
 Estimates of cost.-The special board of Army engineers estimated' that the
total out-of-pocket cost of the work would be $190,481,000. That board also
estimated that the cost of a canal of 30-foot depth, but otherwise similar in
all respects to the one first described would be $171,382,000.
 PUUe.O WORKS EBTIMATS
 The estimates of cost prepared by the Public 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-
 I Not yet reviewed or approved by the Chief of Engineers or the War Department.
 SFor details see table 1 herewith.