The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-16
The D0ricn Survey.
UNtTD STATES SHIP CYANE,

CALEDONIA BAY, Feb. Z 1854.
DEAR SR-The Darien Ship Canal Is impractcable The
isthmus is of precpitous mountains its streams
mountain torrents Mr.. Osborne and Dr. Cullen are
exploded Missionaries.
We entered this fine bay on the 18th ut Three days
devoted to negotiation with the Indians they
very much opposed to any one landing but at last
entirely respected made the best of the necessity They
neither numerous formidable, but from their
they did month ago four men from the Viraso, who
had been left in the mountains in charge of provisions
On the evening of the 10th ult Lieutenant Strain with
party, landed near the mouth of the Caledonia
siderable stream flowing into the bay. There is
venient landing near the mouth on account of heavy
rectly across the ishmus without instruments merely to
badly led, and NAL compost
through the woods upon the bank following the
stream wadng and crossing frequently and five miles
took the east branch. The ascent up to this point es
mated ut from so to 100 feet the river flowing rapidly
and with clear water, over pebby bottom rarely more
than knee deep Above the junction-wherc large
Indian village nearly deserted ut approach-the
course became rapid every mile and at the extreme
point then reached by of the party and myself sent
mile Finding
We returned md took the west branch, smaller but
flowing the right course The descent ascent
Of this for three miles up to second camp about
forty feet per mile Next morning progress up became
very difficult and Mt gorge in the mountain five Of the
party including Mr.. Hocomb formerly of the Panama
Rairoad "a volunteer and myself while following out
by singular change of plan their part Left to shift
for fortunately each man carried his
pr0visions) 1--WE followed the stream that day and the
next, reaching elevation of about 700 500 feet
Thence we assembled mountain Of 1900 feet per-
On. couo see mH.9 Sn smaI
followed the stream back to the seashore and reached
the ship the sixth day.
prevailed upon Captain Hons to despatch two parties
one under command of of his ofcers-to explore still
farherhe east branch Of the river and another smaller
will Mr. and led wi suitu
TOOLS to take if possible the traces of the main party
taking them some ncccssaries, and not finding them to
the ridge and follow Of the valleys towards
the Pacific. We succeeded in striking Lieut. Strains
trail followed 1t until the longer warranted
waters Of river running towards the Pacific which we
followed until six days from the ship we then ascer-
tanned to satisfaction that 1t the Chuqunaque,
which flows far to the south and east, between the
ridges of the shmus and sweeps round into tho Gulf of
San Miguel Farther progress being impossible for want
of canoes and useless turned back to the ship going
for four days on the canest possible allowance Of pro-
visions. In these two trips had had a somewhat
tensve view from high elevations the ridges of the
ishmus. The whole Is of steep, heavily wooded
mountains, which we made way with great diff
Guilty There Is no summit level between the streams
flowing into the two oceans Of less than 500 feet
thereabouts The streams exceedingly rapid falling
in cascades through goges in the hard pophyrc rock
which makes these mountains, tumblng boulders
of the same. The scenery is most romantic. Never any
where have l such difficult travelling under
gone much fatigue Nothing has as yet been heard
down stream, where we saw their trail and reached
the Pacific, whence expect of them every day
During our second absence from the ship o Fronch
steamer and an English brig and schooner, all men-of
war; had arrived on errand like Parties were
started from them under guidance of Mr. Osborne and
brief progress into the interior have all returned
trely Disguised. Mr. Osborne is fully proved to have
missated everything in refcrcpce to the country he
knoweges himself to have been completely deceived
Mr.. Osborne has to-day started with Indian to at
tempt TO find his way the Isthmus, but appears
for the present TO have given up all IDEAS of canal sur
yeys.
Twas temporarily used up my last return from the
mountains and have not since been able to prevail upon
Capt Holns to despatch another party The one spoke
Of under Of the eucnants Of the ship returned be-
Fore reporting the country still more difficult in
Caledonia Bay Is an admirable harbor with depth of
water and mpete shelter The climate is delightful
much exposure both by the exploring parties and those
engaged In the survey Of the harbor from the ship This
hst work is carried on with much thoroughncss.
Immediately upon the return Of Mr. Strains party oil
further attempts 10 survey canal route will be aban-
doned, and the ship will return to the United States,
touching at Carhagena and Havana hope to be in New
would add that in all the opinions expressed above
with regard to the canal am supported by Mr. Holccnb
TO the three expeditions.
In short the canal is impracticabe because there
summit level Of from 200 to 500 feet to be-
the whole Ishmus is traverscd by many ridges
parallel to its which only pierced by mountain
streams the winding valley gorges Of these were fol
loved the distance would be than doubledif the
ridges cut the difficulty is Of equally great be-
cause the material for twothrds Of the distance g
rock of the hardest kind and the clayatc orma
ton the Pacific side does not appear until low down
the mountains. Many other considerations will suggest
Themselves 10 you which IT is not necessary to dwell
upon
The highest SUBMITS Of the Isthmus are perhaps 1000
feet and on two occasions from different Of these
have had general view Of the toughest regions
i have seen.
have written somewhat at length, thinking you would
he interested in the subject but In haste have only
just learned that the French steamer will sail in the
morning for Carthagena, for news.