Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London/Volume 1/Account of Operations to find Water in the Desert between Cairo and Suez
'We have been favoured with an interesting account of some successful attempts made with great energy and perseverance by Mr. Samuel Briggs, of Alexandria, to find water in the Desert, between Suez and Cairo. This is not only an important discovery for the natives of the country, but will also prodigiously facilitate the intercourse with India by steam.
The first experiments were made in the valley of Kesche, where the workmen bored, in one instance, to the depth of one hundred and sixty feet, through a fine sandstone, mixed with clay, without finding any humidity; and in another place to the depth of fifty feet, principally through a rock composed of fragments of silex and jasper, where .they met with a hard rock which broke the instruments, and the attempt was consequently relinquished on that spot. The operations were transferred to the valley of (Candelli. Here water has been found in a clayey stratum, at the depth of only thirteen feet, where a well is already established, to which the Arabs come for their daily supply. Above the clay is a bed of calcareous sandstone, five feet thick, through which the water filters; and in the stratum of clay three lateral galleries have been ingeniously struck to the extent of twelve or fourteen feet, which not only serve to collect the water, but, together with a further continuation of the well, to the total depth of twenty-one feet, form a reservoir of one thousand two hundred cubic feet of water. The whole is to be lined with stone and mortar, which will render it a work of perfect art; and what is most important is, that the water being found so near the surface, neither the labour of camels nor of machinery will be required to draw it.
'Two other wells have been commenced in the same valley, with the same prospect of success. It is believed that, as the spot is only an hour or an hour and a half's journey from the great chain of mountains which stretches across the Desert from the Nile to the Red Sea, the waters have there their source.
'This enterprise has been pro'ected by, and carried into execution at the sole expense of, Mr. Bnggs. He has in his employ an able mineralogist, Mr. Albert Gensberg (a Swiss, we believe), who is still continuing his researches, and is confident of finding water, and establishing wells, at other parts of the route. The practical artificers are two Englishmen, named Hancock and Wood. The place of their labour will probably soon become stations, or villages, where men and animals will not only be supplied with water, but with all other necessaries in their painful journeyings; and the names of the projector and executors of this work will be remembered with gratitude by all future travellers in this hitherto sterile desert.
'Above all, it is hoped that the enlightened ruler of Egypt will appreciate the merits of Mr. Briggs, whose success will facilitate the commerce and promote the prosperity of that country.'
To the above may be also subjoined the following extract of a letter from Mr. Briggs himself to the Earl of Munster, who has communicated it to the Royal Geographical Society:—
'My attempts to discover water in the Desert between Cairo and Suez have been crowned with success; and I hope all future travellers to and from India will feel the benefit of it, as well as the pilgrims to Mecca.
'I have had two English borers at work during a year and a half at my expense; and I mean to persevere till I have found water also on the other line of communication, known to you between Cosseir and Thebes, or Kenné.
'Ibrahim Pasha gives me every assistance in guards, tools, masons, &c., wherever sweet water is found; but the Hadgi know it is to the English they are indebted for this boon.'