Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-06-04
FAILURE OF THE EAST AFRICAN Ey
PLORlSG EXPEDITION

The department of State has received dis.
patch from the United States Consul at the
Island of Zanzibar. dated November LIST, 1895.
in which he communicates the failure OF the
s'East African Expedition which was fitted
out from that place during the wear 1865, for
the purpose OF exploring the northern rivers
Of Africa The expedition consisted of one
river steamer, and steam launch and tender
accompanied by ten Europeans and thirty ma
tiyes. and sailed from Zanzibar on the 18th of
June, 1865, under convoy of II. Is. NJ ship
Lyra. After touching At Lamso and Toula,
where the Lyra left them, and exploring the
ToLla and Shamba rivers. which were found
10 be only inlets of the sea, they arrived of
Juba, some mes called Rouges river, early in
August, and landed at Cape Bissell. Like
most African rivers, the Juba has danger
Gus bar at Its entrance, in crossing which the
tender was lost, ana the steamer narrowly es.
capped shipwreck. The party which had
travelled across from Cape Bssell was denied
entrance into Jubatown, but the whole expe.
dition was finally allowed to land, and re-
ceIved tolerably good treatment at the hands
OF the Somalies, although every obstacle was
thrown in their way to prevent their farther
ingTess into the country. Nothing dauntad
however, by opposition, the Baron Won der
De cken, chief of the expedition, although suf-
ferng from a severe attack of cholera. by
which disease several of his party had already
DIED. left j ubatown on the 10th OF August, and
pushed up the river as rapidly possible
As they proceeded slowly up the river they
found the country on both sides extremely fer
tile. though uncultivated, and Astounding in
game, and the natives, who, at first showed
signs OF hostility, gradually became more
friendly. On the 10Th OF September the ex-
petition arrived at Somaletown of
Badeira; here the steamer grounded, and they
We're obliged TO land their goods to rppair
damages. The party pitched its camp on
lever SPOT surrounded by a jungle, and ap-
peared to have such confidence in the good
VIII OF the natives that no precautions were
taken for safety. The Baron and DIR. Link, ac-
companled by few natives, LETT the party
here to travel back overland to Badelra to get
information in regard TO steamer reported at
the mouth of the river, and expected TO return
IN about four days. On the 25th of September
at noon, without moments warning, the en-
campment was attacked by a large number of
Somalies, who, rushing upon the Europeans
with spears. killed two. Mr.. Trenn, the artist
and the hunter, before the latter could reach
their arms. The remand der of the party after
killing number of the natives, succeeded IN
driving them into the jungle. but found il use.
less to attempt to defend the camp against such
ODDS, and made their escape in the steamers
boat, carrying with them all of the papers and
yaluables they could, and after rowing five
days and nights reached the river in safety
and got on board vessel bound for Zanzibar
where they arrived on the oath of October
Five Europeans and eight natives are all that
are known TO be alive of the expedition, and il
is believed that the Baron was killed before
the attack was made on the camp. This expe.
dition was fitted out at the Baron's expense
and would probably have cost f2O,O0Q. It's OH
ject was to ascend the Juba river as far as pos.
sible ia steamers, then to travel overland to
the Nile and follow that river to its mouth
The Chevalier Ritter Won Schiekh, Lieuten-
ant Austrian Navy, who was second in com.
mand OF the expedition, after making his report
TO the Hanseauc Consul, left Immediately for
Bravo, and H. B. NJ. $. Vigilant leaves in a
few days for the coast IN hopes of obtaining
some information of the missing ones.