New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-09-01
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH EXCURSION

From Our Special Correspondent.
ST. JOHNS, N F., sa'urdsy, Aug. 1s 1855.
avail myfef of the opport nifty afforded by
the steamer Osprey, which lea7es this place on
Wednesday next for Halifax, TO send you a brief
record of our progress, reserying the detailed ac
count for more certain mail
We left Halifax at sunset on Friday, the 10Th,
ard after a good run along the coast Of Nova SEQ
fla and Cape Breton, reached Port-aux- Basques, at
the southwestern extremity Of Newfoundland, a.
II o'clock on Sunday morning. The bark Sarah
L. Brant, which sailed from LONDON on the 18th
Of June. With the submarine cable on board, had
not arrived although daily expected, and it was
therefore decided that we should make trip to
St Johns in the interim port-sux. Basques is one
Of the loveliest places in the worlds cluster Of
about seventy fshermen's huts on bold, rocky
coast, with q range of sterile hills in the back
ground not tree nor even large shrub Is to De
seen TIE inhabitants nevertheless, Are a thor
ouphly vigorous, healthy, and honest race and
appear TO be perfectly contented with their pow
erty and isolation. They subsist entirely by fish
ing as the country is wholly uneultvated There
is but single garden in the place. The telegraph
roles ere erected to the point of departure from
the island and the wires already stretched. We
landed thirteen Of the operators brought out by the
Company, with their batteries and instruments
Prof Sheppard also went ashore, with the design
Of making geological exploration of st. Georges
Bay ard the Humber River, on the western coast
On the morning after leaving Port-aux Basques
we passed the French islands Of MiquelOn and St
Pierre near enough to the latter To distinguish the
light house and entrance to the harbOr. In the
evening we ss the light on Cape Pine. about
twenty five n lies west of Cape Race and as the
right was thick stood out go as to g7e the latter
Cspe a wide berth. We made Cape Spear at day
light, took pilot aboard about half an hour after
ward. and by o'clock were quietly mOored in thu,
beautiful barbor. We were-all equally surprised
apd delighted with st. Johns. The activity, bustle
and cbeerfulness of the place formed marked
contrast 10 the quetude of ialifax, while In point
of scepery I know of no place on the American
coast which can equalit. The harbor Is entered
by a narrow passage between almost perpendlcu.
lar cliffs of Old red sandstone, six or seven hundred
feet in hight Inside of this is quiet and-iocked
basin. about ue in length, with plenty of water
everywhere. and excellent holding ground.
We were received by the officers OF the Colonial
Cove,nment and the inhabitants Of st. Johns gen.
erally with unbounded cordially. Every atten-
tion which the most liberal hospitality could sug
eest has been bestowed upon u.s. The doors OF all
the principal citizens nave Deeh thrown "iue "Peh
IN receive u.s. horses and carriages have been con
staDtly at our disposal, and not day mas passed
without excursions into the country IN all direc-
tiops. or pic MICS on large scale IN some OF the
picturesque cOyes and harbOrs OF this truly PIC
iuresaue' island The weather has been delightful
SUNNY and 81 ded, but always clear, though the
foo sometimes lies like white wall miles away on
the ocean outside. The four past days, and the
greater part of the four past nights, constitute
season of unminqled enjoy ment, which am sure
none of us will ever look back upon with lndiier-
ence. Gov Darling Las been confined to his bed
by illness during our stay, but the honors OF the
Government House were gracefully borne by his
accomplished lady. G.
On "wednesday dinner to the citizens of st.
Johns Was given on board, followed the next even
inc by grand ball to the officers of the Telegraph
Company and their guests, In the Colonial buiid'
ipgs Both entertainments passed of with the
greatest spirit and good feeling on both sides. Our
time since then has been wholly taken up by break
fasts, dinners, pic MICS and excursions. We leave
at noon to-day for an excursion outside the harbor
with large company of the gentlemen and ladies' OF
81. Johns on board After returning to land them,
We shall sail Immediately for POrt-aux. Basque1.
where we shall probably arrive on Monday morn
ing. If the Sarah l.. Brant should not have ar.
rived, presume we shall remain there some days.
The appearance here of the James Adger has
produced great sensation. She has been crowded
from morning till night with visitors, who inspect
her cabins and engine with the greatest won
der and admiration. In fact since the great fire Of
ls47, St. Johns has never been in such ferment
But we are about to leave, and must close, re-
serving full particulars for the mail from HALIFAX
Z. T.