On Monday, the work of removing the rocks of the
Iron Gates—the huge submerged cliffs which block the navigation of the Danube, and form a series of almost impassable rapids —was inaugurated near Greben, the Greben Rock being formally blown up by dynamite before a distinguished body of the representatives of all the riparian nationalities, except Roumania. The plan which has been adopted for improving the greatest water-way of Europe, and which is being carried out under the direction of Austria- Hungary, consists in removing a portion of the obstacles by blasting, and in constructing short canals to turn those of the rapids which cannot be disposed of by means of the former expedient. It is curious to remember that the Emperor Trajan actually began to dig a navigable canal for the purpose of avoiding the Iron Gates, and that traces of his attempt remain to this day. When the work is com- pleted, the countries bordering the Danube and the Black Sea will be greatly benefited, for ships of heavy tonnage will be able to come into the heart of Europe, and Pesth and Vienna will be practically converted into seaport towns. As soon as this is accomplished, the engineers had better turn their attention to making a ship-canal between the Danube and the Rhine, by way of the old Nurnberg portage. Imagine the convenience of water-carriage between the German Ocean and the Black Sea, and of water-carriage with no risks whatever !
Previous page
