science · 25 April 1859 · 165 years ago
In 1859, ground was broken for the Suez Canal in Egypt. The first blow of the pickax was given by its French engineer, Ferdinand vicomte de Lesseps at Port Said. He initiated and supervised the project to link the Mediterranean and the Red Seas. The 100-mile long canal cuts across the Isthmus of Suez, providing a direct transportation route for trade between Europe and Asia. With the consent of the Ottoman governor of Egypt, the Suez Canal Company was formed (1856) with the rights to construct and operate the canal for 99 years. Digging began by hand, with forced labour. Progress improved with European mechanical dredgers and steam shovels, but was delayed by labour disputes and a cholera epidemic. Four year later than originally planned, the opening ceremony took place on 17 Nov 1869. After this success he began building the Panama Canal, when he abandoned when funding ran out.
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