New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-14
THE DARIEN EXPEDITION.
ARRIVAL OF THE GUARD AT TIE GULF OF
DARIEN-THE PROPOSED R0UTE-STARTlNG
THE EXPEDITIONS.

ARRIVAL OF THE GUARD AT TIE GULF OF
DARIEN-THE PROPOSED R0UTE-STARrING
THE EXPEDITIONS.
u. S. SHIP GUARD, MOUTH OF THE ATRATo
RIVER, Jan lit Is nearly month since the U. B.
Exploring Expedition, under the command OF Thos "
selfrdge Commander L. s. N, sailed from Newfork on
the Guard for the purpose of deciding whether 1t Is or Is
not practicable TO divide the Isthmus Of Darien by
canal through which the largest vessels may pass from
the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean 1t will be recolected
that the Guard used last year for similar purpose
and that the san Bias and other routes then examined
and surveyed found TO offer fnsurlnOuntDle osta
ces to the construction Of the proposed canal Leaving
New-YOrk the Sd OF last December, the Guard made
quick passage OF days TO Cartagena the capital OF
Bolivar. There through the courtesy OF Mr. HamDerg
the American Consul, Commander senrluge sufceeuea
These men become exceedingly vigorous anu Marcy
by passing more than hat the year N f anew %otuS oc ~
guides and to cut such lines as " may be necessary 10
open during the survey While az Cartagena' tne naval
Guard in honor OF the inhabitants. The President OF
Bolivar foreign COnsuls and most Of the elite OF the
city were present and the entertainment passed OH III
most enjoyable manner. on Christmas day deega-
grand bah to he given them the following night by
the citizens of Cartagena. The invitation was accepted
and from the fact that the boats used by exploring par
ties have since been named Rapherana, Anita ana Co
Omba IL would seem that the Young ofhcers were more
than pleased with their fair entertainers.
When anchor was again weighed, day s run Drought
our present anchorage i'll the Gulf OF Daren other
entrance, miles of the Isla de los Muertos
Qsand OF the Dead The topography OF the country IN
the immediate vicinity Of the shore-ne Is exceedingly
monotOnOus The land formed from the deposit OF the
AtratO river. is low and marshy and covered with
luxuriant growth of tropical vegetation. The beach Is
everywhere OF fine sand destitute Of shells, and runs off
very gradually to deep water. There Is no lack OF
anchorage however for vessels OF the largest size.
From information furnished by agude VINO has passed
his life in gathering caOutch0uc on the banks or the
AtraO River and its tributaries, Commander Selrdge
feels confident that practicable route for ship canal
across the sthmus Daren viii be the fOOwing Enter
the Arao by CanO Coquto OF the l3 arms through
which its waters flow into the sea- follow the Atrato
about 80 miles into the interior to the CacaIlca er
follow the Cacarca up until reaching the Indian
the Atlantic and Pacific slopes TO the village
and river OF Paya go down the Paya River 10 It's juno
with the Tuyra and down the Tuyra TO san Miguel
Bay and the Pacific ocean. IL Ia said TO he less tan
of the Paya that we have at once continuous con
nectOn Of running water between the two oceans, WIN
the exception Of single break caused by range OF nils
described much higher than the masts OF our ships
Yesterday morning the first exploring party lelt the
shin under the command of Master A. X. COnden u D.
Barnes, esq, chief engineer of the expedition M
charge of the survey assisted by Mr. A. d. Beach. IhS
party ordered 10 proceed soon as possible 10 te
junction of the Cacarca with the Arao, ana 10 carry
The survey that point up the former river 10 the
Paya trail Tomorrow Commander Selfrldge VIII starr
the steam aunch and make rapid reconnaissance OF
the entire the village of Paya ON the Pa
report given by him his return VIII OF
course waited for with the hveest Interest, as III VIII
almost decide the praCtcabilty OF the glgtlc enter
mise Another surveying party will start out tomorrow
under the direction Of A. Leslie Davou, assistant eng-
Ger TO the expedition. He will make a preliminary eA.
animation of BOca and C9nO COquO, and run line OF
levels to the junction Of Che Cacarca with the ao