Seattle's Half-Million-Dollar Gamble to Dig a Canal to the Sea

By maintaining Lake Washington at a constant level it will be possible, by means of a proposed cut through the hills, to reclaim the land on Squak Slough. These lands approximate in area 1,000 acres, and on account of submergence are now comparatively worthless. When relieved from the floods, however, they will be of great value on account of their rich alluvial character, making them valuable for market gardening, and from the fact that they will have cheap water transportation, by which each farmer can carry his produce to market in his own boat if necessary. With slight dredging at one or two points, Squak Slough can be made navigable for the 'Mosquito fleet,' which will then ply to all points on Lake Washington and Sammamish, bringing the produce of an immense territory to market cheaply, and furnish traffic for the canal.

When the waterway connecting Lake Washington with Puget Sound is completed and the tide lands are filled in, as intended, the works will be the wonder of the world and Seattle will be an ideal commercial city. With ample flat space for business and manufactures, where railway trains would meet the ships on the same level, her light retail streets will be on the slopes of the hills, and her residences will overlook the water.

The old-time spirit of bygone days has been revived in the good people of Seattle, and they are putting every effort forward to raise a half-million-dollar subsidy for the Lake Washington canal, which will unite that lake with salt water. A large part of the amount is already subscribed, and the remainder is expected to be raised by private donations. The citizens of the Queen City are equal to the task, and the requisite amount will undoubtedly be raised ere many moons roll by, as that city has always been noted for its wide-awake and pushing spirit, and it surely will not let such a beneficent project as that fall through for want of $500,000. If the scheme is but pushed it will be one of the most gigantic undertakings ever promulgated on the Pacific coast, as it will necessitate the expenditure of six or seven millions of dollars and will not only benefit Seattle but the whole of Western Washington.