Ubani Canal
| Canal | |
|---|---|
| Length | 816 km (507 mi) |
| Maximum boat length | 300 m (984.25 ft) |
| Maximum boat beam | 34 m (111.5 ft) |
| Maximum boat draft | 15 m (49.21 ft) |
| Locks | 25 up, 25 down |
| Navigation authority | Ubani Canal Operations Commission |
| History | |
| Original owner | Compagnia del Canale Ubani |
| Construction began | January 7, 7563 |
| Date completed | December 15, 7607 |
| Geography | |
| Start point | Tanga Moji Sea |
| End point | Vovodran Sea |
| Connects to | Phasian Ocean from Ovestan Sea and vice versa |
The Ubani Canal is a ship canal that links the Ovestan Sea to thePhasian Ocean across Negasi in southern Tharna. The total route is 816 km (507 mi) long, but it makes use of approximately 678 km (421 mi) of existing waterways, such as rivers and lakes. Although some of the waterways required dredging or other improvements, the canal system only relies on 138 km (86 mi) of "constructed" waterways. The canal's route involves elevation changes of some 626 m (2,054 ft) over its course, necessitating 25 locks on each of the upward and downward sides of the route. Despite its length, the Ubani Canal remains the only ship connection between the Ovestan Sea and Phasian Ocean.
History
Auresia decided to build a canal across present-day Negasi to link the Ovestan Sea to the Phasian Ocean after discovering how far inland they could go on the Babukar River. The river empties into Abavo Bay at the west end of the Tanga Moji Sea and is navigable for some distance inland. Nonetheless, the planned route involved considerable change in elevation and a substantial dug canal distance to connect existing rivers. Auresia formed the Compagnia del Canale Ubani to build and operate the planned waterway. While the cost and sheer magnitude of the engineering required for the project was exceptional, the world's great powers of the time saw the potential trade benefits. Ithrien, for example, was early to support the Auresian effort and other countries, such as Livaria, Anisora, Halland and even Kamura, provided funding from early on.
Construction began on the first set of locks in 7563. Other work included dredging portions of the Babukar River to ensure the ability of the passage of vessels to the planned maximum draft of 15 m (49.21 ft). Building the locks was daunting work, considering the great elevation changes involved, even with a central cut to shave off some 95 m (312 ft) from the total elevation change needed. The tropical climate presented impediments to the work, as well, especially in constructing the canal's western portion, the longest man-made portion of the waterway.
While work continued fairly consistently over the decades, construction was delayed, and even stopped for many months, during the Great Scourge (7598-7603). Afterwords, completion became a new priority, and the waterway was completed before the end of 7607. A ceremony to open the canal took place on December 14, 7607, presided over personally by Dynast Emperor Cephorus IV. The first official transit of the canal by the ANS Ciclone took place starting on December 15, 7607. The ship sailed westward and entered the Vovodaran Sea some 34 hours later on the evening of December 16th.
A statue of the emperor commemorating his state visit to open the canal was erected in 7610 and stands overlooking the canal's eastern gates. (This is subject to change.)
Canal
Layout
Tolls
Canal usage tolls contribute significantly to the economy of Negasi, as do ancillary services, such as ships services. Tolls variy on the size of the vessel, with minimum tolls depending on the ship's rated capacity or its fully-loaded weight. In this manner, the ship's capacity determines its minimum toll charge while its loaded capacity determines its maximum toll charge.