The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-09-06
NAVY DEPARTMENT.

NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Having seen in a number Of our exchanges conflicting
reports concerning the discovery of valuable guano
island called New Nantucket have asked and obtained
leave to make the following:
Extract from despatch o. Commodore William Msrpins
'nanding Pacific squadron, dated
U. s FLAGSHIP INDEPENDENCE
Harbor of Valparaiso June 80 1885,
From Honolulu directed my the latitude and
longitude designated by Mr. George w. Benson, agent Of
the American Guano Company" yis Lat Is deg N long
TIC deg 80 min w and the evening Of the 2sth OF
February, having arrived at position where it WIS
deemed prudent TO ay To- few hours the ship was hove
10 fortyve miles 10 the eastward of island known
the charts New Nantucket believed 10 be identical
with the guano island as il is in precisely the lat
tude and longitude
On the following morning filled away, and steered
that wu believed would enable sight the
island early hour during the day. In the time
however the current had increased determined from
altitude Of the at o'clock m from thirty miles in
the twenty hours M experienced the previous day
TO sixty miles during the period This created
uncertainty the real position Of the ship and in order
TO avoid getting 10 the wndward of the island, the pre-
sued line of bearing therefore crossed ana Hcrussed
in the search but nothing was Of the island until
o'clock N, when discovered the weather beam
distant about nine miles
To regain those few miles wndward against head
WIND and current OF nearly three miles per hour
found be mpraccable and after three DAYS and nights
Of anxiety and fruitless efforts compelled pursue
a retrograde in order reach position NORTH
and that would enable make another trial On
the eleventh day aera this time having been spent in
accom- pishing this obec-the island discovered from
the top-galant yard ahead bearing west distant about
ten miles
Intense interest appeared pervade all minds fore and
aft the ship neaed the promised Ell Dorado" Of the
mercantile and agricultural interest Of country. The
deuson however, was but transitory nearer view
veaed 10 astonished vision the whole island covered
with deep green mantle Of luxurant vegetation indca-
tive certainly OF the strength of the SOIL and heavy rains
common in this locality as also Of the werhiessness OF
Z he hnVn ugfe thpraD wFiglE n rOnnwra
The value OF guano is, ! believe determined by the
amount of ammonia which il contains which is generated
by successive deposes Of bird lime in rAiness districts
That there large deposite Of bird lime the inland in
state Of decomposition the vegetation and great number
Of birds lowering IL abundAntly attest The latter
circumstance and the location Of the island the only
facts in the whole statement 10 by Baker and
Lucas that correspond with observations far it
was practicable 70 ascertain the same
The island Is surrounded by dangerous reef which
the breaks very heavily, aud extends al the way
the shore The ship along the reef from the northeast
end to the southwest lee side close the breakers
II was prudent 10 approachwithin about two ships length
where II represented anchorage would be found No
bottom however found with fifty fthOms Of line and
It is believed there s not any outside Of the reef inside
sufficient for vessel Of any drAught there any
perceptb passage through the reef without incur
ring great hazard 10 life
True there evidences Of having been landed upon
and occupied prior TO visit in the erection OF flag
staff the centre Of the island and kind OF lookout
place the northeast end but visible signs Of per
son were discovered And those by whom these erect
pieces than when visited by us
In order that might not be deceived by appearance
Lieut. James T. McOausy sent in boat with instrue
ous approach the breakers prudence would
dictate for the purpose Of sounding and discovering pas
sage. His report Is herewith enclosed marked which
confirms my own observations.
The company out frame building be put up for
the accommodation OF its agents who to maintain the
possession IL follows matter Of course neither
there that the enterprise bad been abandoned in
quenoe Of the worhessDess OF the depose and indeed Of
the noneIstence Of any guHno.
On the passage the island the agent Of the company
expressed desire that should first visit another
island claimed by H. which Il said there n de-
poste Of guano assured him that would be my pleas
my duty, to promote the commercial inter
Of country bat this island out " the d.
Of that which my orders referred my FIRST
duty would be devoted H. ON taking my departure
from the island Of New Nantucket stood the north
ward and eastward get into the easey current said
extend the Pacific ocean In order to aid In work
ing far enough TO wind ward 20 fetch another island stuh
sted the equator in longitude W. being the
referred to by the agent presume that the statements
in relation 10 this island being situated in the la
ude the other hit further east devoid Of truth
those in relation New Nantucket" which is o. y
group Of four islands the distant Of vhich-"Nev
Markets. hundred and scvvnty-two miles the
neRrest-"Worhr and sand iElands-respectivcly die
thrtyssvsn and sNtyfve miles instead Of hun
dred as sworn 20 by Captsins Lucas and Baker.
Being disappointed in finding the eascrly Rcr
reaching the limits assigned 20 II and being convinced o.
tho mpossbility Of beating windwsrd against
trade wind and strong current Of reaching Il with
out pursuing crcuitous northCrly route abandoned
further pursuit with the intention Of returning Yapa-
raise through The Southern poynesan islands touching
at such a. were accessible TO this ship.