Chapter 405: The Central Canal Project in East Africa
Date: October 4, 1872
Location: Third Town, East Africa
King Constantine embarked on a visit to Third Town to personally inspect the progress of the ambitious canal project. Third Town, once the capital of the East African region (Upper Coastal District) during the colonial era, had retained its prominence and remained the second-largest city in the coastal province. It was only surpassed by Tanga City, the provincial capital and a bustling seaport.
This canal project, spanning multiple sections, was conceived when the Ndebele people were relocated to the Central Province from East Africa. Among these sections, Canal No. 1, connecting the Little Rhine River to the lower reaches of the Wami River, had progressed most rapidly.
Canal No. 1 commenced its journey in Third Town (Kitunga), a mere eight kilometers from the First Town, and extended to Mwomero village on the Wami River.
With the reorganization of administrative divisions in East Africa, Third Town, once at the same level as the First Town, had seen a swift decline in its status. It appeared increasingly likely that it would eventually be absorbed into the First Town, mirroring the fate of the Second Town (Rufu). The development trajectory of the First Town mirrored that of other major cities in the region, focusing on westward and northward expansion, aligning its growth strategy with the neighboring cities of Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo.
The engineer in charge of Canal No. 1 provided Constantine with an update: "The total length of Canal No. 1 is 44 kilometers, with a channel width of 20 meters and a depth of 6 meters. Over 5 million cubic meters of earth and rock need to be excavated. We employ a workforce of 50,000 laborers, and based on our current progress, we expect to complete it within six months."
Perplexed by the remarkably swift pace of construction, Constantine questioned the engineer, drawing a comparison to the construction of the Suez Canal: "When we began planning the East African canal, we anticipated that upon completion, it would be of similar length to the Suez Canal. However, as I understand it, the Suez Canal took a decade to construct. Why is our canal progressing so much faster?"
The engineer explained, "Your Majesty, while the length of the Central Canal can be compared to that of the Suez Canal, other critical parameters differ significantly. Take, for instance, the canal's width. Our design calls for a width of twenty meters, while the Suez Canal spans over two hundred meters, ten times the width of ours. Moreover, the depth of the Suez Canal is more than double that of the Central Canal. As a result, the volume of earth and rock that needs to be cleared for the Suez Canal is at least twenty times that of ours. This comparison only pertains to Canal No. 1. Canal No. 2 and Canal No. 3 will need to make certain concessions due to terrain constraints, resulting in narrower and shallower channels."
Constantine grasped the logic behind the differing timelines. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but feel that the construction pace was exceedingly swift. He voiced his concerns, asking, "Won't such high-intensity work take a toll on the laborers? I've heard that many laborers perished during the construction of the Suez Canal."
The engineer clarified, "Your Majesty, a detailed understanding of the Suez Canal's construction reveals the reasons behind the high mortality rate. The Suez Canal treated Egyptian laborers as expendable resources, not as human beings. The canal passed through a desert region with scorching heat and a dire lack of water. Many laborers perished daily from dehydration—circumstances unimaginable to us.
Water was not provided, and the dietary conditions were abysmal. The amount of food supplied by the Suez Canal Company was insufficient to quell hunger. Workers toiled while malnourished and under extreme conditions. Given these circumstances, it's remarkable that more lives weren't lost during the Suez Canal's construction. Egypt sacrificed a staggering 120,000 lives for the Suez Canal, averaging 783 deaths per kilometer."
Constantine probed further, "What are the conditions for our laborers in this project?"
As the canal project was initiated under Constantine's directive but executed by Ernst, he wasn't privy to all the project's specifics.
The engineer reassured him, "Your Majesty, we have a firm grip on the provision of drinking water. We've introduced basic purification processes to the drinking water supply. Additionally, our dietary provisions are well-conceived. We distribute food based on labor contributions, ensuring that even indigenous workers with the lowest contributions receive their daily sustenance."
Eager to see the conditions firsthand, Constantine was led to the construction site's mess hall. It was divided into two sections: one for East African nationals, primarily supervisors, and the other for indigenous workers.
The supervisors' mess hall resembled standard public cafeterias in East Africa, with the main distinction being the significantly harsher working conditions typical of a temporary construction site. Conversely, the indigenous workers' mess hall was quite novel. Rather than traditional tables, chairs, and benches, it was a vast, open space. Workers chose their spots to eat freely.
Pointing to a pot of food, Constantine inquired, "What is this?" The substance appeared to be a mushy concoction.
The cook replied, "Tapioca-fried rice, Your Majesty."
"Fried rice!" Constantine was surprised. Had it not been explained, he would have assumed it to be porridge. Yet the aroma was quite inviting.
Constantine probed further, "What method do you employ to make this dish so fragrant?"
The chef disclosed, "Your Majesty, the key lies in adding generous amounts of oil once the pot is hot. We also incorporate a dash of spices for added flavor. We pour soaked cassava into the mixture and finish by seasoning with salt."
Constantine, concerned about the cost, questioned, "Is it necessary to use such a large quantity of oil?"
The engineer interjected, "We must ensure that the indigenous workers receive decent meals. This directive came directly from His Highness Ernst, who emphasized the importance of using ample salt and oil to bolster the strength of the indigenous labor force. After all, these workers will be sold to other countries in the future."
Pleased with this approach, Constantine's demeanor shifted. Just as pigs were fattened before being sold, providing a substantial diet was essential. He inquired further, "Is this their sole meal each day?"
The engineer responded, "Your Majesty, certainly not. We rotate their diets with items such as corn and soybeans. On weekends, they enjoy variations like vegetable and fish soup."
The living conditions and food quality of some indigenous laborers in East Africa were far from poor, exceeding the standards of many nations worldwide. While East African nationals received modest incomes, their living conditions were on par with those in Britain and the United States.
In fact, colonists in East African territories enjoyed relatively comfortable lives. Neighboring Mozambique, for instance, was home to Portuguese settlers who encountered no issues securing food, shelter, clothing, and transportation. Their primary goal was to accumulate wealth and eventually return to their home countries to enjoy it.