LARGELY on account of the sand storms prevailing in that region, the Suez Canal, which has a length of about 100 miles from Port Said to Suez, is gradually shallowing at a rate of from 2 inches to 18 inches annually In recent years the depth of the Canal has proved insufficient for some large modern ships with increased draughts, and it has been found necessary to deepen it.

Some time ago I.H.C. Holland obtained the order for a powerful cutter suction dredger, especially designed not only to produce and maintain a depth at 46 ft in the Canal, but able also to give a depth of 60 ft if and when necessary. To ensure that the craft complied in every respect with the rigorous requirements of the Suez Canal Company, there were months of discussion and preparation for the construction of this dredger, named the Louis Perrier, which was recently completed.

As she must be in operation night and day without interruption, a crew of 65 men have to live on board permanently, and spacious accommodation has been provided on two continuous upper decks

In view of the hot Egyptian climate, a special system of ventilation has been provided, but there is also a heating system, since the nights can be cool at times.

Ships pass through the Suez Canal in two convoys, in both directions, every 24 hours. The Louis Perrier works in the middle of the Canal and, therefore, has to interupt dredging operations while the vessels pass, and must be quickly moored at the bank together with the floating delivery pipline. This, of course, required special provisions both for the dredger and the pipeline.

The principal dimensions of the Louis Perrier are 197 ft x 44 ft x 13 ft. She is propelled by a steam turbine. Steam is supplied by three Foster-Wheeler boilers working at a pressure of 425 lb per sq. in. The installation is provided with an automatically controlled oil burning system. A steam turbine developing 3,000 H.P. drives the powerful dredge pump through a gear box, and a second steam turbine, developing about 1,000 H.P., drives the generators which supply current for the auxillaries, deck winches and the cutter motor.

The Netherlands-built dredger - "Louis Perrier"