The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-19
THE DARIEN EXPLORATION.
Herald Special Report from
the Expedition.
Wreck of a Launch Belonging
to the Resaca.
A SEAMAN DROWNED.
.-~--,,~->~--.-~~~---->
Sufferings and Final Escape Of
the Survivors.
TEE EXPLORATION COMPLETED.
The Dividing Line 7l6 Feet in
Altitude.
A SEAMAN DROWNED.
TIE EXPLORATION COMPLETED.
49, - - F---f1-'f*.-
TELEGRAM To the NEW YORK HERALD.

KINGSTON. JAMAICA MAY Is, 1871.
The correspondent OF the NEW YORK HERALD
with the Darien exploring expedition forwards the
following report OF the progress of the exploration
VIA Panama the 12tif lnst:--
WRECK or A LAUNCH.
A twelve.oared launch belonging to the United
States war steamer Resaca, carrying the mails from
Chipagana to Panama q distance Of 1870 miles. was
capsized on the Sth inst. when or Chepua Island.
One man and all the letters and Official documents.
together with 81 900 In specie were lost.
ACCOUNT or TIKI DISASTER
An account OF the disaster says that Lieutenant
Commander Barclay left the Resaca on the 9th inst
with four men, the weather being calm and plea 8.
ant until the boat cleared the Gulf OF san Miguel
on the Thursday following. wnen a storm arose
1t was safely passed through however, and Friday
dawned fair, with the thermometer at eighty de.
grees. At four O'Clock in the afternoon there was
sudden squall, which struck the boat capsizng her
and emptying her OF her contents.
SEIZED BY A SHARK.
The oars were promptly recovered. and It seemed
az II there would be no fatal result the accident;
but in attempting to save the mails seaman named
Charles Bradenhall sank beneath the water and was
not again. 1t Is supposed that the unfortunate
sailor was seized oy shark, as there are number
OF them always in that locality.
RIGHTING THE BOAT.
After struggling In the waves for some four hours
Lieutenant Commander Barclay and the three re-
naming seamen succeeded IN righting the boat, oil
hands beng water up TO the neck. They rowed IN
this state some twenty -four hours, amid the most
Intense suffering, and gradually neared the shore.
REACHING THE SHORE.
After the wreck OF the boat the party lashed them
saves to the oars. and finding that 1t was imposs-
BILE to force the boat through the surf, they were
forced TO abandon 1t and plunge In. They nearly
persisted before .aey reached the Shore but gain
ing land they found man who occupied hut on
the beach, where they spent the night.
HARD JOURNEY
Next morning not vestige OF the launch was to
be seen. The wrecked party were then thirty miles
distant from Panama, and no conveyances were
to be mad. They accordingly walked through the
woods, suffering greatly from the Intense neat, ex-
haustion and insects. Halfway they stopped at the
house OF Senior Arosemana, who treated them very
kindly.
ARRIVAL IN PANAMA.
The party arrived in Panama on the nth Inst,
and were well cared for. Lieutenant Commander
Barclays GOODNESS and courage during the eventful
scenes through which himself and the others
passed are highly praised by the seamen who ac-
companied him.
THE EXPLORATIONS COMPLETE.
The operations OF the expedition exploring the
isthmus were nearly finished. The Resaca was
awaiting the arrival of o party from the divide.
She was to return to Panama in few days.
HEIGHT OF THE DIVIDE.
The two exploring parties met at the end or April
at the point selected for its depression near Paya
After thorough survey, the lowest elevation was
found to be 716 feet In January last Commander
Selfridge who merely reconnotred the locality esti
mated shis altitude OF the divide with pocket CON-
passes and the actual survey just completed settles
the question. In his Official report Commander
Selfridgc will recommend tunnelllng
SICKNESS.
The explorers on the Atlantic side have suffered
terribly from sickness, but fortunately there have
been no deaths. Those on the Pacific side, includ-
ing the doctor and the officers were oil GONZALES
cent. Both parties expected to return shortly to
the Guard and Resaca.
THE ROUTE IMPRAcTICABLE.
Your correspondent with the expedition reports
tnat the practicabity Of this route Is unfavorably
regarded.
The storesnip Guard is expected at Aspinwall to-
day MAY 1sl, and Will Immediately SAIL for New
York.