The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-20
steam Navigation Through the Straits
Of Magellan.

| ~~~>NI>~S>~~~~->~>--.~s
| The Dangers or Cape Orn AvOidcd-A steam
Tug Company for tho Straits-Grcat EconO-
my OF Time and Money-A Memorial to the
Government OF Chile.
An American gentleman, Mr.. W. f. Nye, resident in
Chile proposes to the government Of that country to form
company for tie purpose Of running tug steamers through
the Straits of Magellan TO tow ships from ocean to the
other thus avoiding the dangers and delays incurred in
doubling the Cape The following memorial to the Chilean
government sets forth the plan of the operation and the
requirements which the company make upon the gov
ment in order to carry /. through successfully.
MEMORIAL.
The delay, difficulty and danger attending the passage
around Cape Horn have long since engaged the attention
OF the commercial world and various projects have beea
devised in order to insure safe and speedy
municaon between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans The
railway across the lsshmus Of Panama has been IN sue
cessful operation for several wears has paid rich
reward to s projectors The idea OF constructing ship
plated although the great cost of gigantic undertake
ing and the immense physical obstacles be surmouDed,
| have as yet forbidden its commencement.
is almost needless 10 say that its successful execution
would be extremely detrimental to this country, the
principal articles Of export from Chile to Bolivia, Peru
and Ecuador could be brough. from the United States at
much lower rates; Chile would sink from of
commercial Powers Of the Pacific to second third
rank ard certainly pains should be spared the part
| of this government to aver, so ruinous result.
Nature has fortunately provided a remedy. The Grand
Canal OF the Straits Of Magellan although scarcely passa
BILE BY sailing vessels may be quickly and safey
cersed with the assistance Of steam, and perfectly
assured that the requisite number Of powerful steam tugs
for the purpose &c towing vessels through the Straits
would fully satisfy the wants cl the commercial world,
and render ali other enterprises for the purpose Of sc
tang the communication unnecessary and coseq ienty
| abortive.
We therefore propose to establish Inc Of tug
the Straits Of Magellan, and to make all necessary ar
rargemenis in connection thcre~th provided that the
Chilean government will grant us such assistance will
| he hereinafter mentioned
We conceive that the result Of this enterprise will be
emincntly beneficial 10 the commercial community al
large. Of vital importance TO this country in particular,
and that rs rracticab;v Is beyond douhta of which
shall enGcayor 10 show clearly briefly posi-
bic The advantages 10 be derived by the commercial
world By avoiding the passage around Cane Horn are 50
obvious TO require but passing notice To say nothing
OF the saving Of human lie, may remark that al
though the number Of ships totally lost OF Cape Horn is
small IN parson with the disasters occurring ia the
North Atlantic yet the great and tear OF SHIPS and
damage 70 csreoes are most preudoai TO shipowners
| and merchants.
4 This. however, mny be reduced to question Of
! time; and IN ibis time may be clearly proven
Marry Of the most scientific and experienced ravga
tors OF the age, that the time required for dou
bling Cape Horn not less than twenty five days Allowing
required for towing vessel through the Straits
/ an actual saving Of twenty days.
The average amount OF tonnage arriving annually at
Valparaiso via Cape Horn far FROM 100 600 and
the value OF the oarFoes about $4,000 600. Bv taking
the passage through the Straits then have the following
100 900 tons at $40 per ton. worth. ..s4 5000
| Interest, IN urance and wear and tear, al so per
cent per year, for twenty days............ $50 coo
value OF cargocs .Sit ,uOo,ucu
Interest and insurance al 20 per cent rer year for
twenty aays......... If'i"o
| Total $257 ,776
Thus the expense OF towing ship through the Straits
would about equal her disbursements for and prov
sioLs for twenty days have actual saving in favor
OF the foreign trade Of Valparaiso alone of s25T 80 per
annum.
Let Va extend this calculation to San Francisco and
other ports Of the Pacific The amount Of tonnage
passngCapc Horn annually from east TO west, viii not
fall short Of 400 900 tons and taking basis the value
Of the mportaons to the port Of Valparaiso have the
| 400 600 tons at $40 per ton worth SIG 900 600
Interest, insurance and wear and tear on this
amount, at 80 per cent per annum, for twenty
$3.50 900
Interest and insurance. al 20 per cent per snnum,
for twenty days........-.... ............ oszos
Annual saving. $3.50 24
Now when We consider furthermore, tina, many ships
homeward bound to Europe and the Unted States and
deeply laden with guano, nitrate copper would
take INC passage through The straits from west q east n
total annual saving to the commercial world At less than
| 81 100000
show the saving Of single snip Of 500 tons
500 tons =, s4o per ton worth. .;.....; $50 900
cent per annum, for twenty sS33 So
Wages and provisions at 800 per month for TWEEN
4 Cargo o Gour at 500 per ton. $4,000
Interest and insurance at 70 per cent per annum
LOT twenty ooc 90
Total. VI ,lb6 %
Deduct for towing at 81 80 per ton........ $50 90
In favor OF passage through the Straits Sale Is
We pass 10 subject q much more Importance % this
government, viz: the peculiar and exclusive benefits
which the enterprise would confer upon this country
The possession q that portion Of Patagonia which borders
by Chill and her nerhsor on the cppi,e side a the
tnent Chile has taken the initiative b. establishing
colony II runa Arenas and she now has i IN her rover
10 secure q position which cannot he disputed by her
rival, and which must eventually make her mistress Of
the entire territory or Patagonia -Four steamers
carrying the Chilean ing. plying regularly through the
Straits, and rendering assistance. ia ah probability To
than three hundred ships every year, would give
Chile prercudcratng influence In tina, region arsn nat
which opposition the par, Of any other Power would
be futile, and such opposition should be attempted the
enlisted IN behalf 81 the country who-c cutorprise and
bberaly bad rendered such essential service 10 their
/ commercial interests
,ho coll AVIATION * the bcrthpn c1, ~ TIC Straits q
magellan Voelt " necessary 'cn, n cus enterprise uo
ftlc-ionco has shown Tint uethcr fertile son nor
reual climate are essential o. tht foundation ot colony
nor a. ia FUcC sfI deveo'cmcnt aud tmcuE
| tXnf'e vr rfef tie hui ono Tic New tnelanf states
" s0rh Antrca wit . sol nE1fatiyeiy sterile. and
acms'r ~ nc md ryug y tsc extreme are, = pro
pcton 70 fh,r evtrt 'hf wca'hoti ard most oruous
section 10 po Uuh,a State While their srter energy.
| ntasuy AID inventive rcnlus afc university admitted
rc aniri rtsrccs q che Territory toraerit uron the
STRAITS cl Mag IAN ~cry bhl 81 forth 10 TIE report
"a laes y Governor in Jofgg - tha and tncrc oan
with prr-rv yucoura trneut might mako that wilderness
Ml0.-ftn tie Enso. fu Nf hfs To consider
fU Il ibp rrtfaSir indeed cst,,n rarse r5uc,g ~ INC
proposed csicfpfe HtCt ~ upwards ~ hve hundred
mi traErrbe 'ht Straits 1'y md ttaErirE wood
| water afd ffcst rroy scns, would eve vmurcrave ~
'nari.s ~ 0prcvsucn, q &c eoi Tor the purpose
I'll psnr vegetables art iiyc stock W csnno, halter
lHsttte tbs thsr BY citing lhc single aftcc II wood
CURED 'he ire boats n'oe hour srch boats a. woulf
" trfebc fnr 'nc rurroso wcNd cnnsne a. 'ensi ere
gcoa WOO chopper can 90 about Two cords cr igm, a.
te here We have constant occupation fot iy cnousis