Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-05-15
The American Guano Islands.


Ine New YORK papers nutice the arrival in that
city of Mr.. Arthur Benson by the last California
steamer. He went out (says the Mirror) as the
agent of the American Guano Company of New
York, and has visited Jervs Island Howland's Island
and New Nantucket, in the Pacific Ocean, and brings
with him four tons of the guano as sample. In
addition, large quantity had been shipped for New
York. The supply of guano upon these islands is
reported as being almost inexhaustibe, and of quail
ty not inferior to that Of the Chinchas The follow
ing intelligence of the arrival at Honolulu of
hundred tons of the guano appears in the Honolulu
Advertiser of March 8:
ArriUal of the schooner Liholiho wih one hundred
tons of Guano.
The arrival of the fine schooner Lholiho Captain
John Patty, on Saturday, with about hundred tons
of guano, from Jervh and New Nantucket Islands,
caused no little excitement in town. When the
expedition sailed, on the 25th of December, no one
appeared to take much inter- in it. further than to
express general denunciation of all humbugs.
The appearance OF the specimens OF guano which
we have seen Is that of fine powder, very much
resembling snuff, without the strong smell of ammo
MIA which the Chincha guano has. Under micro
scope it appears entirely composed of crystallized
substance and resembles snow. Good judges pro-
it 10 be irst-quali,y guano; but what lis val
ue is, compared with Chincha guanO, remains to be
de ermined. About eight tons of this guano goes
forward by the barque Yankee to be sent on by the
mail steamer, via Panama, to New York, the object
being to land it in New York as possible
The remainder is being shipped on the clipper, ship
Aspasia to New York direct, and will reach that
port about July 25th 80 ..-...
The vessel was fen days from Honolulu to the
islands. and the same number of days loading which
effected with whale boats
On the 29th of January they sailed for Howland's
island where they arrived or the 5th Of February,
landed and erected hut, brought off sample ofthe
deposite, and set sail next day.
They saw New Nantucket on the 9th of February,
low island, which, as they approached, gave faint
slgnes of vegetation, in the shape of dry grass and
dead bushes on the waters edge. They landed on
the 10Th and were sgreeaby surprised to find the
entire surface of the island only destitute Of veg
citation, but afforjipg vast deposte of guano of the
very best quality The Lihol;ho being already well
down in the water and somewhat leaky, only seven
ty-four bags OF this guano were taken on board
The passage TO Honolulu was made in twenty three
days. reckoning from the 18th OF February until the
7th of March. Absence flom Honolulu II days.
The usual course OF the wind wal from the N. E.
or S. E.; and although the voyage was made in mid
winter, the weather was mild excepting the great
heat shore at midday. The currents appear ed to
change with changes of the moon, from The westward
or eastward, and irom one TO one and halt mile an
hour The landing might perhaps be considered
difficult by inexperienced persons, but il appears to
have presented obstacle to our enterprising voy-
ayers, ..4...... %. .-.i,.' 81 ss' -.
The agent of the company, Mr. A. Benson, erected
upon each island flag staff, upon which now floats
the American flag, and each island has on il small
house for the protection of the property of the COM
pany we'll general caveataganst all lntruders
One great drawback to these guano islands IS the
want of fresh water--not drop of which is any
where to be found Rain seldom falls, appears by
the very dry condition in which they found the guano
as deep as four or five feet below the surface
! Birds, eggs, and fish are in such abundance
almost 70 stagger faith in human testimony. At
times the birds were thick actually to cloud the
atmosphere, and it was almost impossible to step
without treadiDg on the nests Altogether, it seems
these islands by all accounts onderful place.
II appears that Patterson is not alone to be famed
for its peail fisheries. A young man in this city
found several rmall ones a day or two ago, on the
gravel opposite the State House. which were exhi6l
tex to one of our jewelers. who pronounced them the
simon. pure article We expect TO hear of parties
being formed to explore the gravel for the treasures
that are to be found in the muscle shells which abound
-S'ss Trenton Republican.