The Building of the Suez Canal talk by MJ Stephen Carr-Smith
About
"The parting of the desert" The Building of the Suez Canal: 1859-1869A talk by Major General Stephen Carr- Smith
The building of the Suez Canal was both a marvel of engineering construction, and the symbolic meeting of East and West. It was the vision of Ferdinand de Lesseps, a French diplomat: whose enthusiasm won the vital backing of Louis Napoleon; whose perseverance overcame the Britih Prime Minister's determination to prevent the Canal's completion; and whose friendship with an 11 year old Egyptian boy, with a craving for spaghetti, paid dividends.
It was de Lesseps' pioneer spirit that eventually saw the project completed in 1869, after 15 years of ceaseless effort, both in planning and in construction. But he did it; and the desert was parted.
Location
Goodworth Clatford Village Club
Village Street, Goodworth Clatford, Andover, Devon SP11 7RE