The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-08
THE DARIEN EXPEDITION.
The Forthcoming Omclal Report.


correspondent of the Boston Adsertiser
gives the following as the principal points
of The official report, now preparing, of the sur
Neying expedition which was sent out by our
Government, under Commander T. o. Selfridge
TO ascertain awhether an interoceanic canal
across The lsthmus of Darien was practicable
The expedition sailed from New York last
January. The survey begun at Caledonia
bay in the latter part of February. This bay is
OF easy access, and perfectly protected from
northern winds and heavy seas There are but
two other harbors on the Atlantic coast of the
Isthmus which are adapted to the terminus of a
canal-the Gulf of San Bias and the Gulf of
Uroba or Darien. The surveyors found the
country covered with primeval forest. They
would have been obliged to cut their way
slowly and with great labor, through dense un-
derbrush, guided by the compass, as even the
sky would be scarcely visible had not the com
mander determined to follow the different
water.courses: These gave, of course, the
lowest level of the csuntry, and if any passes
through the mountain ridge existed they would
lead TO them. Reconnoissances with the baro-
meter were made up all the streams emptying
into Caledonia Bay, including the Aglamate,
AglaZenigua, and Washington rivers. While
these were in progress q reconnaissance in
force was made over the mountains to the
Pacific slope, down the Sucubti, until the vii
lagos of the mountain Indians, the Sucubh
tribe were reached.
These preliminary explorations failed to show
signs Of pass, and the line up the Aglazenigua
river, thence over the mountains, giving the
lewest average level, was selected as the o3e to
be surveyed. A line of levels was carried from
the sea over the dividing range at an altitude of
1900 feet and down to the Sucubti of point
about three miles below its sources, where an
altitude of $50 feet was evidence sufficient that
no pass below that altitude existed in the divide
This river with its tributaries, the Napsau and
the AsDati, drain large area of country, of
which its bed must necessarily represent the
lowest level. Careful observations with the
mercurial barometer we're made down the Su-
4
which was found an altitude of 159 feet. Ten
miles down the Chucunagua fan altitude sof 80
feet was obtained
All hope of finding pass was abandoned, and
the only remaining question was what len 9Th of
tunnel would be necessary. 1t was found that
tunnel of 10 miles, from an altitude of 200 feet
on the Atlantic slope to a corresponding point
of the Pacific slope, beneath the heights of the
Sucubti, would be needed. Another survey in
the vicinity Of the Sasserdi ever, 10 miles north
of the previous surveys, showed that tunnel
of eight miles would be sufficient by that route.
Still another route was surveyed from the Gulf
of San Bias, where the lsthmus is but so miles
wide. The line of levels was carried up the
Mandinga, the largest river emptying into the
Atlantic between the Chagres and the Atrato
and crossed the divide at an altitude of 100
feet. 1t was continued in s. 8. E. direction
down the Pacific slope, till at distance run by
level of % miles from the sea, 1t met at the
junction of the Marmoni and San Jose rivers, with
the survey of Mr.. Kelley's in 1864, whose engi-
0eerS ran u line Oh leVelS from the racine up
| the Marmoni to this point.
The result showed mountain area of ten
miles that would require to be tunnelled. The
! other portions of this route present the most
favorable aspects. The southern portion of the
! isthmus still remains to be explored. The
| Government propose to continue these surveys
| the coming season, " hich will be carried up the
! valley of the Tuyra, across the divide to the
! Cacarca Lake, not far from the mouth of the
! Atrato. This region was visited by Hellert, an
| experienced German traveller, in 1915, who
! reported the divide not over 200 feet; but this
| is very untrustworthy, as he lost his instru-
ments before it was reached. The expedition
returned to New York in July.
"A Washington despatch gives the folio wing
upon this subject
| Commander Selfridge, who has been here for
! several days in consultation with the naval au-
thorities about renewing his explorations of the
| Darien routes for a canal across the Isthmus,
! left tonight for the North. He will return
about the middle of November to receive his
| final instructions, and will sail as soon there
after as the necessary arrangements can be
completed. The composition of the expedition
| will be about the same as last year.
The Nipsic is now on her way from tho fish
| ing grounds to the Washington Navy Yard, to
| be made ready for this service. Commander
! Selfridge yet entertains hopes that he may dis
cover practicable route although the general
| opinion of the members of his expedition is un-
! favorable. Captain Shufeldt, commanding the
| Tehuantepec expedition, will sail in the Kansas
eaaly next week, and will probably touch al
| Vera Cruz on his way.