CORINTH CANAL:GREECE

 

CORINTH CANAL:GREECE

AN ENGINEERING WONDER

SARASIJ MAJUMDER

 

Canals Are Man Made Waterways—Rather Links, Connecting Two Large Natural Waterbodies, Separated By Land. There Are 16 Very Important Man Made CANALS For Navigation, Mostly Connecting Seas, And Some Are Connecting Rivers. They Are All Engineering Marvels. I Will Share With You The Interesting Information About All Of Them.

All Of You Know About Suez, And Panama. But  Another Canal, Built, And Very Useful For Greece, And Europe—It Is Known As  “CORINTH CANAL.” Toay I will Discuss About It.

The Corinth Canal, is an engineering marvel in Greece, serves as a crucial maritime shortcut link  that connects the Aegean Sea to the Ionian Sea. Spanning approximately 6.4 kilometres (4 miles) in length, the canal significantly reduces the maritime journey between the two seas, eliminating the need for ships to navigate the lengthy and hazardous route around the Peloponnesian Peninsula.

Historical Background:

Attempt to construct the Canal was going on for a long time, about 2,400 years.

1.0   FIRST ATTEMPT:

The time clock turns back to the late 7th century B.C., and specifically in 602 B.C. At that time, the tyrant of Corinth Periander decided to connect the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf. His purpose was to try and open a canal in the isthmus of Corinth which would allow the avoidance of a dangerous circumnavigation of the Peloponnese and to shorten the navigation route.

According to testimonies Periander gave up his plans when he heard the ORACLE and her prophecies. “Don’t fortify the isthmus nor dig it. Because Jupiter made an island here ever he thought was right” --said the Oracle’s prophecy.

2.0 SECOND ATTEMPT:

Periander’s vision found a follower, after nearly three centuries. Demetrius Poliorcetes in 307 B.C. decided to put back in place the plan for the opening of the canal. However his initial enthusiasm couldn’t continue as the engineers he brought from Egypt had persuaded him to abandon the project. The engineers assured him that the waters of the Corinthian that would have been poured into the Saronic would have drowned it, in consequence the drowning of Aegina island and its neighbouring islands.

3.0 ROMANS:

The hegemony of Rome gives a “fresh air” to the project, after about two and a half centuries. It started by Julius Caesar in 44 A.D. who failed, just like Caligula did, in 37 A.D., and also the other emperors Hadrian and Gaius. But the plans were abandoned for military and political reasons. Indeed in 40 A.D., Gaius, delegated to the technicians the study of the project.

The most important step however occurred when Nero got the rein of the Roman Emperor about 66 A.D., at the age of 29 when he was at the Isthmian games. There he decided, as Lucian mentions, to proceed with the project and he announced it to the Greeks. A few months later in 67 A.D., he makes the opening of the projects on November 28 at an impressive ceremony, where he used gold mattock under music trumpets.
Nero worked with enthusiasm very intensely for the project, on which thousands of workers worked for, slaves and convicts who worked very hard. Indeed only from Judea 6,000 Jewish prisoners were sent.  However the turbulence in Rome forced Nero to return and to face General Galva’s rebellion. Projects stopped abruptly because of the rebellion and definitively after Nero’s assassination, despite the fact that the projects were carrying on with an amazing progress. Herod Atticus and the Byzantines followed him after, but again without any result…

The traces of the opening project of 3,300 metres length were maintained until recently. After centuries and the final opening of the canal, 26 wells on a trial period with 10 metres depth each and several ditches of the Nero era were found, that showed how many important steps were made.

PROJECT REALIZED

It couldn’t be done until the late 19th century due to technological and financial constraints. The canal’s construction was spearheaded by French engineers and was completed in 1893, showcasing advanced engineering techniques of the era.

Engineering and Construction

The canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, a narrow strip of land that separates the Aegean and Ionian Seas. The construction involved extensive excavation and engineering feats, including the removal of approximately 11 million cubic meters of earth. The canal's depth is around 8 meters (26 feet), and it has a width of 21.3 meters (70 feet) at its narrowest point, which limits the size of vessels that can pass through.

Significance

The Corinth Canal plays a pivotal role in maritime trade and transportation by saving ships from the long and perilous journey around the Peloponnese. It is particularly beneficial for commercial shipping, allowing for faster and safer passage between the two seas. However, its narrow dimensions mean that only smaller vessels can use it; larger ships typically must navigate around the Peloponnesian Peninsula.

Economic and Cultural Impact

Economically, the canal supports Greece's maritime industry and contributes to the country’s tourism sector. It has become a notable landmark, attracting tourists and maritime enthusiasts who come to witness its impressive engineering and strategic importance.

Modern Challenges

Despite its advantages, the Corinth Canal faces challenges, including sedimentation and maintenance issues that occasionally lead to its temporary closures. Efforts are ongoing to address these challenges and ensure the canal’s continued functionality.

Overall, the Corinth Canal remains a testament to human ingenuity and a vital link in maritime navigation, reflecting the intersection of historical ambition and modern engineering prowess.

 

References:

1.0  Corinth Canal, Greece, Completion Report: By Steers - Grove · 1949. Availabe in Library of USIS as ‘REFERENCE BOOK’. Army Engineer Division, North Atlantic, Grecian District.

2.0  https://books.google.com/books?id=JHg7CQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=corinth+canal&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiT26D2lMeIAxU9yjgGHUuCEuYQ6AF6BAgLEAI

3.0  https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/corinth-canal-greece/index.html

4.0  YOU TUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK-BujpY_uY

IMAGES:-- Google/ The photographers unknown—and acknowledged.