The New York herald., 1870-11-23
THE SHIP CANALS.
The NEW EXPLORING EXPEDITIONS.
Tho Dariea and Tehuantepso Survcys-Desorip-
ton Of the Field Of 0peraions-Tho
Naval Force Employed.

Auc PTtV1IdiOu3 i0I INC b0COuU buTVtyIuH CHpc-
ditlon on the Istilmus OF Darlen are progressing
with all possible despatch. The United States sIdp
Guord, Commander T.. p. Lull. is nearly rccalked
and generally repaired and Will 10 ready for sea by
the lst day OF December. number Of nat boats
for the navigation Of rivers and streams In the
tropics. having but little water in their beds. have
been specially constructed for the expedition
ana arc safely slowed away on the Guard.
They will be used In exploring the head
waters Of tho Darien or AtratO river. which,
taking It's rise amsng the mountains dividing the
Isthnus oil Darien, nows In an almost due northerly
course ana emptIes into the Gulf Of Daren. The
steamer Nipslc, Lieutenant Commander Byron VIII
son, now fitting out at the washington Navy Yard
Ia to be assigned to the Daren expedition, which Is
to be under the charge OF Commander Thomas O.
Scfrldge. wao commanded the expedition OF last
winter in the same quarter. The Nlpsio aud Guard
will constitute the force ON tho Atlantic side, and
VIII rendezvous IN the Gulf OF Darien or tho mouth
Of the river Atrats which win be the base OF opera
tions on this slde. The steamer Saginaw Meuten-
anS Commander Samuel D. Greene, Is daily
expected at San Francisco from the Midway
Islands, and when re1tted win bo despatched
to Panama 10 receive Commander Selfrldge's and
o surveying party and convey them TO the Gulf
of San Miguel south or Panama, when limo OF sur
vey will be run up the Darien river ana over the
'diylde" to Join the party from the Atlantic side.
AS the Sagnaw cannot well reach Panama before the
middle or January Commander selfrsdge viii
leave ON the Guard about the 1st OF December and
proceed directly to tho mouth OF the Atrato river
and organize the parties for the photographic work
and the line OF levels over the "divlden Early In
January he will go to Aspinwall In tho Nipslc to
join The Saginaw at Panama. Commander Lul, OF
the Guard, viii have charge OF the party
on tho Atlantic side, Commander Sell
fridge taking ohargo OF tho large
and more Important party. penetrating the isthmus
from tho Pacific sli,. Commander Selfridge has
every confidence that he will be able this line
discover the most feasible route for ship canal.
Old Spanish documents snow that two centuries ago
small canal was cut to connect the head waters OF
the Atrat0 with those OF the Daren for the transfer
Of canoes and barcas Small vessels) from the At
lantc to the Pacific. Although this is not feasible
for route for o ship canal, Commander Selfridge
hopes 70 find pass BY striking In nom the Cacarca
rassable for ships by means OF eight LOCKS and
straight cut. The Atrato ID described as deep,
sluggish RIVER, with marshy banks extending back
discovered. Tho divide Is not more than 200 feet
s Of s a. o & aa
covered which Is not impracticable for canal piir-
poses by reason OF physical Obstacles The breadth
OF the lsthmus In direct line at this point Is not
moro than forty miles; but, OF course, the canal
WILL II constructed, be longer, as IL must CONFORM
sure following the lines Of the principal water
courses. Of course no estimate can be made OF the
q 9 sa Da an w wHrs s
government to enect channel Tor commerce Dc.
vast benefits to the world, and especially
to the United states, would he regarded cheap at
By with every means thas = can be sux
gested to aid him IN attaining complete success
In his undertaking.. Steam launches VIII be sup.
isthmus, and much valuable time aud great labor
will be saved by the use OF these efficient and handy
craft A large force OF marines and ample detach-
ments or sailors thoroughly armed, will be attached
to the expedition to guard parties against attacks
hinder the execution or the great work. Portions
or that tropical country will be penetrated by wnte
men for the rst time. ana 1t is 10 be hoped that the
expedition may return home safely and successful
In ali Its undertakings.
Captain shufeldTs expedition to survey tho
counts, at Sisal Yucatan, aud Is undoubtedly now
o. vora Cruz making final preparations for the
ereIed that CAPTAIN SnueIdt was SO unfortunate az
to lose his steam launch IL the cyclone through
which the Kansas and Mayfowel 40 happily passed.
Tho presence OF the cholera at MinatttIan VIII possi
bly, rctard the commencement Of his abors for
week or two, but it ought soon to disappear. Nina
side, where provisions wnl be kept and from which
point parties VIII start out on their photographic
surveys OF the 0oatzacoa!cos @ n river and lts nu,
the Coatzacoalcos river win be carried on in
canoes distance Of more than sixty miles, to q
pont called Suck, little village al the foot OF tho
mountainous country which constitutes the divide
between the Atlantic and the Pacific. The surveys
Of this region, extenain9 about forty-elght miles,
to he very carefully made, as IL Is here the cle
ments for successful solution OF the great problem
OF the feasibility Of the route for a arst class ship
canal are TO he found. The headquarters OF the
veymg parties Will be established at Tarifa, small
village on the Tarlfa plains. From this station
parties will be sent out the line OF the proposed
canal and TO the eastward, the latter IN search OF
water for feeders Of the summit level. Other
parties win be despatched to the lagoons on
the Pacific side to ascertain their adapta-
bility Tor harbor purposes. II Captain Shuieldt
can complete his work IN time he viii undertake TO
run line over the Nicaragua route TO ascertain Its
feasibility Tor ship canal IL ID doubtful, however.
whether this task Can be undertaken this year. Tho
work on the Tehuantepec line will consume all the
time at his disposal before the rainy season sets In
ana stops work. Captain Shuieldt is confident that
he has the true route for ship canal. No man !.
better able than he to mako survey which shall
finally settle that question. He has been thoroughly
sustained by President Grant and Congress, and we
hope for the best results from has lab0rS Which,
evir expedition discovers the feasible line, both
will bear with them the best wishes OF tno .unlry