NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: this thread`s timeline will progress in NS time, ie: in about 10 days my 10 year timeline will have passed. This thread is in place to cover other events i am involved in.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
In Aschton Ministers of the Foreign Affairs, Colonial Affairs and Interior Ministries announced in a joint press conference that the Dominion would begin construction of a massive canal project in the Colony of Isthmatia. Ministers Elihu De Armitage, Ewan McLeod and Colm Flaherty entertained questions from the press corps. the Project is to involve two separate canals traversing side by side for 250 km across the Isthmatian isthmus. Each canal will have a depth of 60m, a width of 200m and the locks will be 1600m long in order to accomidate the Dominion`s Davidson-class Battleships. Civilian maritime use has the highest priority, however in the event of war the canal could be militarized for rapid deployment of Dominion and Allied warships. the Project has an estimated cost of $100.5 Billion Crown Dollars and is expected to take ten years to complete. Some labor will be supplied by Dominion prisoners and p.o.w.`s.

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Isthmatian Canal Charter

I. Purpose- The canal is to be developed from the public funds of the Aschenhyrst Dominion for the purpose of improving trade, transportation and aiding in the regional development of the Eastern Mediterranican Continent.

II. Usage-Use of the canal is primarily for civilian maritime use. Military use is restricted during peacetime to use by warships of the Dominion and it`s Allied States of the Mediterranican Union (MU). In the event of hostilities, the canal will be militarized and both lanes of traffic will flow in the same direction for the rapid deployment of Allied Warships.

III. Fees- Fees for usage of the canal will be based on the total tonnage of the cargo of any vessel passing through the canal. Warships of the Dominion are exempt from fees. Allied warships will pay the same fees as commercial ships except during periods of militarization of the canal, at that time fees will be waived for allied nations.

Port Robert, Capitol of the Aschenhyrst Colony of Isthmatia
The first of many convoys of military transports arrived in the harbor. On board were prisoners and members of Aschenhyrst`s Gallian minority, both unwanted segments of the Aschenhyrst community. They were to become of use to the nation of whom`s resources they had been draining, they were to be the backbone of the labor force to construct the 'Isthmatian Canal'. The Gallians had become 'persona non grata' in the Dominion due to the acts of the terrorist organization 'Knights of St. Gallia'. Many had perished in the bloodshed to end their rebellion, those that survived were now at the mercy of their Aschenhyrst masters. What remained of the Gallian race was in the process of being deported to Isthmatia to be used as forced labor in the massive construction project. It was said if they survived this ordeal, a new home might be found for them. The prisons of Aschenhyrst were emptied, all criminals would be forced to pay their debt to the Dominion through hard-labor. This captive work force began marching south towards the proposed canal site, their first order of business would be constructing facilities in which to house themselves.

the Western Shore of Isthmatia
Months had passed since the first laborers showed up in Isthmatia, a tent city sprang up overnight on the isolated shoreline. Similar camps were established about every 50km over the route of the canal. The work force , now numbering around 2 million, began focusing on the massive undertaking to which they had been assigned. The plan called for two channels to be cut through the isthmus with anchorages to placed at 50km intervals over the total distance of 250km, that would mean the creation of several man-made lakes to accomidate any vessel that need to anchor. Security was high on the project as much of this labor force were of the less desirable members of society, the camps and construction gangs were oversaw by the elite Sinister Rouge. Anyone trying to flee was killed.

Eastern Isthmatia
The first of four inland anchorages was recently completed. The anchorages, measuring 5km in diameter, were designed to provide a place for shipping traffic to move out of the way in the event of canal militarization. Progress on the eastern half of the canal is proceeding according to schedule.

Western Isthmatia
Construction of the first western anchorage nears completion. Eastward progress being slow to to terrain. Three of the massive locks have been completed on the way to the western anchorage.


Port Robert, Colonial Capitol of Isthmatia
Colonial officials discussed further importation of labor and supplies to keep canal on schedule. Dominion Goverment pledges more food shipments to be earmarked for Isthmatia but encourages rationing to make supplies stretch out further.

As the project enters its fourth year, progress is staying on schedule. A food riot by laborers was put down by Sinister Rouge Security Forces earlier in the year, the rioting cost 15,000 laborers their lives. Women and children are now being added to the labor force to off-set the loss of life. Completion is still expected to happen in about six years from now. Colonial Affairs officials are discussing the possibilities of a homeland for the exiled Gallians in the uninhabited lands east of Isthmatia, but nothing concrete has been decided.

Construction suffered numberous delays this year due to hostilities near Britzkium. Aschenhyrst Royal Navy deployed to region to protect shipping of construction supplies.

Twelve years after construction began, the Isthmatian Canal is completed.
At an estimated cost of $500,000,000,000 Crown Dollars and 1.5 Million Gallian lives, this project of epic proportion has been completed for the benifit of the entire Mediterranican Region.
HRH Mark II was on board the Aschenhyrst Royal Navy Battleship, HRMS Prince Robert as it made the first trip through the canal. As the canal was designed for this Davidson-class ship and the late prince was killed by the people who labored in its construction, it was an ironic tribute. Only after the HRMS Prince Robert traversed the canal in both directions was it officially opened for business.