Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-05-17
Turks Islands.

Turk Turks Islands, March 49, descriptive of mat
tiers and things in Turks Islands, we copy from the
Baltimore Patriot:
There exists no longer any question to this be-
ing the island upon which Columbus first landed in
the Western World the fact having been short
time since clearly proved by George Gibbs Esq, Ga
citizen of the island, in lecture before the New
York Historical Society and of all the Bahama West
Indies the climate Of Grand Turks is, perhaps, the
most salubrious-it being highly so. It is common
to hear it remarked, with an air of assurance that
"no die here - and it is true that but few
sick, especially with any serious malady.-
The age of some of the islanders is truly remarkable
Many nvalids have resorted to Grand Turk for the
purpose of restoring their shattered constitutions
and none to our knowledge, have ever been disap-
pointed in their hopes in that respect Besides this,
it is the most prosperous British island OF the whole
West India range 1t, with g Salt Key and "Calcos
the other two islands under the same distinct Col
onial government that make salt, export, of that
great staple, 100000 bushels annually enough,
would suppose, to- preserve all flesh for time.
They ship each year about fvesixths of this amount
to the United States in American vessels which fur
nishes idea of the proportion of trade carried on
here by American vessels, in comparison with that
of all other countries in the world together and
who cannot what result this must sooner later
produce The people of Turks Islands, in conse-
duence of their great commercial intercourse with
the States, have become highly Americanized, with
out seeming to be much aware of it, and not only is
it the with them, but also those Of the other
Next to salt, the only staple article shipped from
here to our shores is whale oil. Two whaling
panies are established this Island, and large
humped-back whales are to be seen in abundance,
at this feeding and sporting along the reefs
surrounding the island the whalers almost nyaria-
bly, taking them in sight of land. They captured
two on the 18th inst, large and small one from
which they will save 80 or 90 barrels of oil contain
ing &c gallons each They have taken one whale
81 feet long The harpoonsmen are Americans. It
IS q CIPht -ho1O hoc
the wharf for dissection to see the motley mass of
human beings white, black and yellow, (the latter
always forming the larger portion in climate like
this; and where flesh, and turtle and other sours
abound of all ages and Sizes of either SEX many of
them IN perfect state of nature and most of them
IN scanty, or astonishngy short accidental cover
luxurlatlng among whale fat and entrails, with q
hot tropical sun pouring down upon them, (and at
no season do we know what it is to shirer here
nothing but sunshine perpetual green, SALT and the
broad ocean, from Christmas to Christmas, various
~ engaged in making way with the whale (not a
bit of which is allowed to be thrown away or to
spoil) while the waves dashng it, and the nu-
merOus sharks around it, momentarily threaten an
inhalation to those farthest out upon it, at work
some securing the bubber, and others grabbing for
the heshy parts for table use, and which they eat
with great relish Nearly the whole of the curious
most of the genteel, male and female, and all who
can either ride, walk crawl, of the 1000 inhab-
tants of Grand Turk, to be seen Within or near,
the whaling establishment at such time, and shall
not soon forget the diversion that this last occasion
caused me. The most exciting spectacle is to stand
upon the wharfs and observe the fights between those
who are engaged in cutting up the whale and the
sharks. The latter almost invariably killed,
foated ashore, their ivers taken out, and the Oil
tracted from them,-one of which will sometimes
yield quart of OIL The size of some of the sharks
would astonish any one who had never before seen
them and to speak of the contents of the stomachs
of many larger ones that have been killed here by
the negroes before alluded to, would excite mere
duity even in the most credulOus One taken
that measured II feet, having in it green turtle
that weighed 23A lbs. besides number of salt cod
fish that had been lost from wreck 10 miles from
the spot where he was taken. Another was captured
measuring ISL feet. in the stomach of which was
found large land key and half-grown kid that
had not long been thrown overheard The shark
killers - daredevil fellows, and perform as
many surprising feats in tumble-catching, wreck
saving, and diving as in shark-killing. They will
fearlessy up to large hawkbill turtle that is
not likely to weigh less than so lbs and spring
into the sea, will swim after it until they catch it.
4 and mounting its back, carried through the
water, and often beneath the wave, at swift rate
until the turtle gives up, and is secured in a boat
Bat the diving of these fellows is wonderful
| They will dive 10 athoms to clear anchor for 81
or under large ship, to examine her bottom, fol-
so cents, going down on one side and coming up
the other. They often dive into the holds and cab
ms Of wrecked vessels and bring up booty with them
Il When no such profitable employment be had
they will dive for queen conchs and sell them t
L g the Yankees for SO cents more each. The,
also gather large quantities of the beautiful ant
various kinds Of little shells that lie in great abun
bance on the shores of any of the islands (fourteel
in al comprised within what is called the Prestbur
] of the Turks and Caicos Islands Certain kinds o
shells the islanders make into beautiful shell flowers
which so like real flowers, that, at distance
they could hardly be distinguished from them; be
ing so delicate, pearly and tasty, they would max
beautiful ornamental bridal wreaths.
III GEORGIA BURR SToNEs-The schooner Hartford
arrived at this port few days since from Savannah
with Al lot of 81 feet of Georgia Burr mill stones,
II be used in the mills of Hacksball, Brother & Co.,
Ii Richmond City Va. It may somewhat astonish tn
A importers of the French burr to learn the fact tina
81 the South will not only in future quarry their ow
II mill stones but it will not be year hence befor
81 they will be furnished for all Touring mills tina
If may be erected in this or the Western States TIL
H Georgia Stone, have been informed by manu-
facturer of this city, fully equals the best French
and he says, although be is engaged in the importa
ton of the French burr that the Georgia Stone wi
inevitably take the place of the French in this cour
III try" Sic transit gloria Franc'e- Scientf. Aner.
81 SHOE MANUFAcrURE.-The annual production
s Massachusetts, of the kind of shoes known " brC
gans' is stated to reach value of sec. O00 000 an
&. to afford employment to some 10000 persons.
III The SUGAR Crop OF TExAs-The Sugar crop {
III Texas for 1850, is estimated at 10000 hogsheads
It is also estimated that in less than five years tn
.s crop will be increased to 25 900 hogsheads, an
rs that in ten years from the present time the quaint
IS ty grown in Texas will equal that of Louisiana.
Il. REMEDY FOR DELIRUM TREMENs.-Half dram
the tartrate of anthony, with two ounces of waite
Z and drachnl of tineture of opium, and equa
quantity of nitrous ether or colchcum, are said
be efectual cure of delirium tremens-allayin
4 f1o oft hp hr0iO and th