Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-05-09
THE AMERICAN eUANo ISLANDS.

The Kew York papers notice the arrival in that city
Mr. ARTHUR BENSON by the last California steamer He
went out says the Mirror the agent of the American
Guano Company of New York, and has visited Jervis
Island, Howlands Island, and New Nantucket, in the
Pacific Ocean, and brings with him four tons the guano
as sample. In addition large quantity had been
rer Ny York The supply of guano upon these
islands is reported being almost lneaasslv ASA OF
quality not inferior to that of the Chinchas The fol-
lowing intelligence of the arrival Honolulu of one hun
dred tons of the guano appears the Honolulu Adver-
tiser of March s:
Arrtyal Of the schooner Li7ozho acith one hundred
tons Of Guano.
The arrival Of the fine schooner Lihoiho Capt John
Patty, Saturday, with about hundred tons of guano
from Jeryis and New Nantucket Islands, caused no little
excitement in town. When the expedition sailed on
the 18th eff December, appeared take much
erest in it, further than to express general denuncia-
ton of all humbugs
The appearance of the specimens of g1ano which we
have is that of fine powder very much resembling
snuff, without the strong smell of ammonia which the
Chincha guano has. Under microscope it appears en-
rey composed of crysallzed substance and resembles
snow Good judges pronounce it to be rstquality qua
but what its value is comparedith Chincha guano
remains be determined About eight tons of this qua
goes forward by the barque Yankee to be sent by
the mail steamer, via Panama, to New York the object
being to land it in New York possible. The
to New York direct and will reach that port about July
25th
The vessel ten days from Honolulu to the islands,
and the number of days loading, which effect
ed with whale boats.
On the 9th of January they sailed for Howland's
island where they arrived the 9th of February land
ed and erected hut brought off sample of the depo
site, and set sail next day.
They saw New Nantucket on the 9th of February, a
low island, which, they approached, gave faint signs
of vegetation in the shape of dry grass and dead bushes
the waters edge. They landed the 10th and
agreeably surprised find the entire surface of the
island not only destitute of vegetation, but afording
vast depose of guano of the very best quality The Lii
hoho being already well down in the water and some
what leaky only seventy -four bags of this guano
taken on board. The passage to Honolulu made in
twenty days. reckoning from the 18th of February
until the th of March Absence from Honolulu Il days
The usual course of the wind from the Y. E.
g. f.; ana, although the voyage made in mid winter,
the weather was mild excepting the great heat shore
at midday. The currents appeared to change with
changes of the moon from the westward eastward and
from to and half mile an hour. The landing
might perhaps be considered difficult by inexperienced
persons but appears to have presented obstacle to
our enterprising yoyagers.
The agent of the company Mr.. a. Benson, erected
upon each island flagstaff. upon which now floats the
American flag, and each island has it small house
for the protection of the property of the company, as
well general caveat against all intruders One great
drawback these guano islands is the want of fresh
ternot drop of which any where to be found Rain
seldom falls appears by the very dry condition in
which they found the guano deep four five feet
below the surface
Birds eggs and fish are in such abundance as almost
to stagger faith in human testimony. At times the
birds were so thick actually to cloud the atmosphere
and was almost impossible to step without treadng
the nests Altogether, it these islands by all
accounts wonderful place.