New-York daily tribune., 1858-02-23
or ELEPHANTS At
CALCUTTA FROM BURkAH.
The London Daily News.

gigantic of existing quadrupeds from their berths on
board ship, and getting them shore was novel
and curous sight. The srva of tho elephants was
neuto ned in the newspapers, and many persona were
sttraced TO witness their DISQUALIFICATION. II took
place at the Government dock yard about half
mile below Fort William Strange to say, there Is no
wharf at this dock yard alongside Of which the
sells could be brought that they had 10 be moored
about fifty yards of from the shore They were, how
ever brought near jetty at the extremity Of which
Is large crane, and BY means OF this crane, aud the
tackle ON boar ship all the elephants were safely
landed The first party n the Tuba! Cain were Landed
in somewhat different manner FROM the other IN the
Belgrayia. When the animals were hoisted up from
between decks the hosting tackle was connected with
the crane chains, aud the crane oeing tnen turned
slowly round each eephan, in succession was lowered
and deposited 90 the bank OF the nyer. This plan
gave too much liberty to the elephants after reaching
terra trma for as some oi them chose 10 indulge 10
roll and bath in the shallow water after Their voyage
time o.t before the drivers could manage 10 lead
them away. Hwas therefore found more convenient
and expeditions to lower each elephau, into barge
alongside the ship and to land him atterward by draw
ing the boat the short distance To the shore.
The fifty elephants in the Belgravia all brought
between decks, part the main deck, and the
mainder in the orlop deck below. Not many vessels
would have the necessary hight between decks-trom
eight to ten feet; and there was only just space
enough in the Belgrava for the larger animals to
stand upright without touching the timbers ot the
deck above. The elephants were ranged on each
side OF the ship, strong beams beng placed 50 "a To
the ship was in motion. Everything was LETT as open
as possible for the purposes OF ventilation. but yet tho
congregation of so many large ANIMALS caused the
atmosphere to be very hot snd oppressive. Some OF
the more msChievous were tethered by q cham at
tached to one or two OF theu egs, to prevent them
from annoying their neighbors. When about to be
removed from the ship, each animal was brought
under the main hatchway, the opening d whch had
of course been heightened and widened 81 Is To admit
of their descent when they were embarked at Moul-
men. Each eephanton board had mahout. OF driver,
and coOlie servant, for feeding and cleaning nm
To these men they had become accustomed. and were
greatly subjected to their influence. Ihe elephants
mahout, assisted by the sailors arranged strong
canvas sling, grth, edged with strong rope, round
the animals carcass and the tackle being ADJUSTED.
the huge fellow was slowly raised of his feet, aud
the ascent was commenced. One Of the largest WAS
said to weigh tuns y cwt There was no opposition
to the process of hosting the part OF the ANIMALS
with one or two exceptons indeed for the most part
they appeared anxious each to have his turn as s0on
as possible for they had sagacity enough 10 under
stand it las the of quitting the ship as had
been the means of bringing them into 1t. There was
great excitement among the crowd On shore when the
boatswan whistle heard directing the sailors at
the capstan to hoist away and the falls or hosting
ropes, which were connected with the main and
mizen masts Of the ship, became strained and tight
ened presently the rough, iret-looking mass OF the
animals spine and back was seen above the deck:
time 70 tin.e prevented himself from being struck
against the sides of the hatchway as he swung round
on either side: the small, sluggish eye, which seemed
to be calmly surveying the surrounding scene; the
active proboscis forming by its constant movements
a remarkable contrast with the rest OF the passive
frame; and, finally, after the crane tackle had been
connected, the whole creature came into view dang
ling in the air, and suspended by couple OF ropes
which seemed like mere threads compared with
the size of the animal which depended from
them. He was then swung over the bull
warks, and lowered into the barge alongside.
II was amusing to observe the quiet way in which
the animal avoided the blow when his feet or legs
were likely to strike against the side of the ship aud
the way in which he assisted in taking off the strain of
the ropes aud raising himself when being passed over
the bulwalks to make his descent into the Lighted
One is hardly led to anticipate much adrotness from
such bulky creature, not merely on account OF Is
size but also because its dullooking loose hide con
ceas in great degree that evidence OF life aud pas
sion which in the horse, and most other animals Is 20
strongly marked by stating veins and the rapid mus
cular movements of its whole body. As soon Is ne
elephant in the lighter the mahout, who had got
down before him. at jumped on his neck and the
animal ediaely yielded himself to the direction vi
bie accustomed master Sometimes lie would appesr
little nervous, putting his trunk into the water to
Try s depth, with view, perhaps, to ascertaining If
I were possible to walk ashore but generally he be-
gan turning over of the fresh grass placed in the
bottom of the boat to divert his attention, and re-
NAMED quiet until the boat was brought as near The
ground of the dock yard possible. Then at sig-
nal from the mahout, after again leaning over aud
carefully testing the depth OF water with his probos-
side, then the other and in few minutes he was on
his way to the place where the rest Of his companions
were pcketed.
All the elephants were of large size. and landed 10
excellent condition. II s expected that they will al
suffer somewhat from fever after the confinement and
close atmosphere they subjected to during the
voyage, but little medicine will soon remove thls
While on board ship they were fed on rations OF rce
with an allowance of green fodder, large proportion
of which consisted of the stems and leaves OF an i'm
mepse species of pineapple found wild at Burmah
After landing, the flies in the dockyard annoyed them
greatly. Looking at their tough hides, it was not easy
to understand how such a surface could be 50 sens
tive The plan they adopted to rid themselves OF the
annoyance consisted in gathering up in the hollow ex
tremty of the proboscis quantity Of dust aud small
gravel which was either thrown over the head 80 40
force between the fore legs, to sweep away the
inruders from the skin beneath. The Captain OF the
Belgrevia brought young elephant, between TOUR
and five years old and about the size OF pony, as
private speculation 1t lived on tire upper deck, near
the Captains cabin, and was remarkably tame. Four
hundred rupees, forty poundssterlng, was the pnce
of this animal.
The Government elephants were marched up TO
Rauackpore at night, leaving Calcutta at lO P. M
after the traffic of the day was over 1t Is strange
that not only is the horse afraid of the elephant tear
which is easily cOmprehended but the elephant Is
equally tmid with regard to the horse, anu considera
BE training is required to get rid of this mutual dts
trust and alarm when the animals have been unaccus-
toned to each others society. The use tor whicn the
elephants Just landed especially wanted Is carry
ing conmssariat stores. They carry an enormous
weight, and can go in places where cart cannot
move One elephant takes with ease on his back Two
large soldiers tents complete, each made ot double
cloth, and capable OF accommodating sixteen men,
and can march at the rate of four miles an hour WITH
mis- load The driver sitting his neck, guides ana
urges him on by means OF a short iron instrument.
pointed at the end with which ne pricko hun aDou,
the head and having small sicke-like ProJec,ion .,
the SIDE which is inserted into the pendulous nap Oh
the ear ard turn him TO either SIDE As ocSa
.on requires Many of the elephants are much or
figured BY having their ear obes torn N va na"as
mart, OF the head are alone sensitive 70 the goad Of
tSe nobont. mIsket bullets glance OF the thick hide
- tha cnriC al rne nlltet lreAnent-