New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-08-18
THE JAPAN EXPEDITION.
Eva Corrssnonient Of rhe Tribune.

Correspondent
ON BOARD STEAMSHIP - ~ North
Monday, December 8, 1891 :
AT last we are in blue water, and under weigh for
long long voysge full of adventure and danger bus equally
m of opportunities for studying Nature and Art and
acquiring new knowledge OF every kind. As often as
circumstances viii admit intend to let you know what
see-and commence at once, here, in the middle Of che
Atlantic 600 miles away from the United States, and
400 from Madeira
Having to take in some provisions before putting to
sea az Norfolk lying at the entrance OF the Chesapeake
Bay in the State of Virginia had an opportunity Of
seeing the widely celebrated NayyYard there It fell On
me to take some of inyads to the Marine Hospital
and then TO fetch twelve men from the Receiving Ship
When had executed the first part Of my mission
went mile up the river to the Pennsylvania ia order 10
get MY men The Pennsylvania is a ship Of 20 guns.
and As far know the largest in the world swinging ike
huge mountain at her massive anchors, and serving At
present as floating prison aud Relief Ship. Her d-
mensons are truly colossal and yet owing to the beauty
Of her lines she does not appear large she really
She is fourdecker and requires something like so
men to fully equip her.
The Navy Yard itself is spendidy arranged, and in
rare order. The Dry Dock, built entirely OF granite is
large enough to receive ships Of the greatest dmen-
sons and at the very time of my visit there first
class war steamer in it, supported on wooden rollers
and lifted entirely out of the water It was curious
SIGHT the seeing thus the elegant build and glorious pro-
portions of SO fair vessel from her keel upward The
buidng Of this single dock cost over million Of dollars
snd required nearly ten years labor.
Two ships Of the first class, the Columbus and the
Delaware each Of 100 guns, lay dismantled In che river
ssve as two fieates and three brgs frgate and tgo
brics together with steamer, ready for service
and two old frigates we're being br0kenu up
Vast basins contain large stock of the valuable nut
wood which kept under water IN order 10 preserve
Reyoud these are massive buildings containing masts,
suar. ropes sails and all other materials required the
constructing aud fitting out Of ships further off still
long rows Of anchors arranged according % their Length
and WEIGHT the largest Of them being Is feet long and
weighing lO5OOpounds.
B,reafh two colossal wooden buildings two new
vessels one shp-of Of the first class and the other
frigate stall The stocks. Enough; The Navy Yard
sfNoriolk gives good idea OF the artistic great
ness Of the American Navy
While | was still engaged in getting in some stores
two Of the new tried to desert Ortgnatey per
ceiyed them in time. As the Off answerabe for bis
crew he is Obliged hunt them up, however painful il
may ultimately prove for the men. As the boats crew
had Witnessed the attempt was under the dsagreeabe
essiry OF reporting IT, consequently the poor devils
hogan their new by undergoing OF the
puDishu ebts allow ed shipboard. This the first
and until this moment the only disagreeable thing thai
has happened TO me since entering the service.
Al last on the Sd of December, every thing was on
board and the signal Ready for start" flying at our
.uas-Lead We ran through Norfolk Bay again into the
Cherapeake, passiog Cape Henry about midday To
ward shutdown We ost sight Of the white roofs and babe
farewell r long long time to America. Our course
nce that time has been eas-soutn-eds. ""r the hesi
few days bsd strong north wester, which knocked
our steamer about somewhat Atlength got into the
trades which We have held to until nos and should
DO accident happen in six days shall be in Funcha
Roads at Madeira, where we shall take IN coal and some
fresh provisions
end December, Il deg north. Up 70 the 18th Of
December our voyage proceeded whOutany further adj
venture on the evening Of this day however land Wa
sighted 10 eeward, and a strong south wester was
blowing the time lay all night, and 4ssed ia the
morning round the eesde Of Madeira, that had au
opportunity Of sc eng the north side this losey Island
This side Of the Island presents many picturesque
views SharPjUtling rocks ascend nearly perpendica.
arly from the see, which only few cable lengths from
the Shore has DO bottom heavy surf thrOssup mass
u lite foam the high peaks of the distant mountains
were tuyelOped in thick heavy clouds and al different
points water fas similar 70 those Of staubbaeh aaa
P'.se.Bach in Switzerland, dashed over the rocky
heights Tbs Wild and glorious scenery vas jus, suai-
eiIy tanned By two three villages scattered Oyerthe
plains distinctly visible from their he houses aud liz
lie churches.
Nearer the eastern extremity Of the Island lay in the
middle Of tOlerably wide plain high aud entirely $50
lated rock called the " Eagle Rock" and tie Cape
vlcb forms the eastern end OF the Isfnd consists OF
great Dumber Of tall rock. and cliff which spring from
H. sea in variety Of singular and picturesque fOrms.
a. aeon as this Cape Is doubled the character Of the
scuery changes at once, ami presents an rucommony
mid and lovely aspect gently swelling hills stretching
ayay dov 20 he sea covered with country houses aud
surrounded BY vineyards take the place Of the rocks
Here and there too these hills are separated By little
plains thru h which small brooks run merry along and
sometimes quiet little village built along thestore.
In the afternoon the weather changed for the better
and toxard evening We in sight Of Funcha whose
white houses ghmmered in the broad sunlight At SUD
down We anchored about quarter Of mile from an
i,olared rock called LooRoek, which little fort
has been built
After long voyage, the sight Of land, az dread
full thought even fit the Mosquito Kingom ITSELF
il al al times pleasant how much agreeable, then
e. be lying at Funchal the south side Of Madeira in
bay whose coasts formed nearly regular half circle