Ferdinand de Lesseps and the Suez project (1854–1869)

1. Saʿīd Pasha grants de Lesseps first concession

   Nov 30, 1854Labels: Sa d, Ferdinand de, Suez concession

   • Britannica
   • SCA History

2. Second concession sets detailed terms and neutrality

   Jan 5, 1856Labels: Suez concession, Neutrality clause, Compagnie universelle

   • SCA History
   • Britannica

3. International engineers endorse a sea-level canal route

   Dec 1, 1856Labels: International commission, Sea-level route, Engineers

   • Suez Canal
   • Commission

4. Suez Canal Company is organized to finance construction

   Dec 15, 1858Labels: Compagnie universelle, Ferdinand de, Canal financing

   • Suez Canal
   • Britannica

5. Construction begins at Port Said

   Apr 25, 1859Labels: Port Said, Groundbreaking ceremony, Ferdinand de

   • Britannica
   • SCA History
   • HISTORY

6. Freshwater reaches Lake Timsah to support workers

   Nov 18, 1862Labels: Lake Timsah, Freshwater works, Canal workforce

   • SCA History
   • Ismailia Canal

7. Ismāʿīl Pasha succeeds Saʿīd as Egypt’s ruler

   Jan 18, 1863Labels: Ism l, Egyptian viceroy, Succession

   • SCA History
   • Britannica

8. Ottoman ratification dispute intensifies project negotiations

   Apr 6, 1863Labels: Ottoman Empire, Ratification dispute, Diplomacy

   • Napoleon org
   • Suez Canal

9. Sweet Water Canal reaches Suez area

   Dec 29, 1863Labels: Sweet Water, Nile water, Suez region

   • House Divided
   • Ismailia Canal

10. Shift from corvée labor to mechanized dredging expands work

    Jul 1, 1864Labels: Corv e, Mechanized dredging, Steam dredgers

    • Suez Company
    • HISTORY

11. Waters of both seas meet, signaling completion

    Aug 18, 1869Labels: Sea meeting, Canal completion, Mediterranean Red

    • SCA History

12. Suez Canal officially inaugurated and opened to shipping

    Nov 17, 1869Labels: Suez inauguration, International ceremony, Suez Canal

    • Britannica
    • SCA History
    • HISTORY