The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-16
THE UNKNOWN MID-COyTlNENT.
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Governmental Efforts to. I'm
lock Its Secrets.
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The Powell Exploring Expedition Of the
Great Colorado River.
NR. EAYDEN'S SURVEY OF THE YELLOWSTONE
a Reconnai ssance of Nevada by
lieutenant Whalen.
Clarence Kings Explorations Of the
Uintah Valley.
Full Account Of the Various
Expeditions.
SALT LAKE Cry, Iune 0, 1871.

west Of the Rocky Mountains and east OF the Sierra
NevadaS. Four parties have been fitted out by the
government, aided BY the Smithsonian Institute,
Tor operations tins season. and some OF
them have already stated out to COM
mence their important and dangerous labors.
Our city has naturally been the rendezvous
and headquarters OF the parties while making their
preliminary arrangements. and naturally, too your
correspondent has met and conycrsed with all the
leaders. In this communication l propose to give
The HERALD n comparatively full account OF the OBJ
jects and character OF the expeditions which
have just begun their great work. And first VIII
notice
VIE POWELL EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF THE
COLORADO RIVER.
Major Powell, who has twice visited the mysteri-
Gus country traversed by the grand Colorado river,
and VINO has shot through many OF the terrific
caions walled by massive rocks. thousands OF feet
high, and who first gave to the scientific world an
intelligent description OF the natural wonders OF
that region previously unknown, has in charge
the expedition htted out by the Smithsonian lnsti-
tute literally aided by Congressional appropriation
His wide experience gainea on previous expedi-
tiors enabled him to fit OUT his party
IN complete and sati factory
manner. He had specially constructed in Chicago
on his own plans. three boats In which his party
embarked last week, the Green river, at the sta
ton oil that name the Union Pacific Railroad.
These boats are peculiarly adapted for the danger
Gus service they VIII be expected 10 encounter IN
the irightful torrents OF Arizona ana Nevada They
are constructed OF the toughest ana highest oak,
and are divided Into five water-ght compa rtments
which give Them ample Duoyancy to carry their
precious freight, even n one or more
compartments stove in by collision
with the rocks, which partially bar
many OF the most dangerous passes OF the river
through the deep gorges. The boats have consider
able sheer both NJ the bow and stern, and q good
breadth OF beam, with hanging sides ut the midship
section, tnat they may safely ride the high waves
at the various riffs IN the torrent ana yet carry a
heavy cargo. An ample supply OF the very best oars
was laid in. By an ingenious device Major Powell
has obtained an almost perfect security his am
munition and provisions-a very important beside
ratum, since previous expeditions have suffered
greatly III consequence OF the loss OF supplies
by the capsizlng OF their boats and The
destruction OF provisions and powder by the water
He had specially made a number or donble
bags OF the very best gutta percha, which readily
stand the change OF climate, impcrvious
to water, besides possessing sufficient natation
tation 10 carry all The supplies that can be put IN
them. In case boat is overturned the bags noas
securely on, and can be readily found afterwards.
with their stores perfectly unlnjured Besides,
they are buoyant enough support a
man. and 1t is certain that they VIII be OF the utmost
service IN the dangerous navigation of the Colorado.
In these bags all the ammunition, Instruments pro-
Visions ana necessities OF every kind VIII be Sc
curely packed, aud the gallant Major is confident
that, unless some unforeseen accident should occur,
his party Will encounter hardsnps perils from
the want OF food. The expedition VIII be d.
vlded into river and land parties. The river
parry consists OF twelve men, including the
scientific corDs boatnen, cooks, &c. They
Wlii be suitably supplied Win tents for camping
the river DanKs, while ut other times they expect to
sleep IN the boats unner tarpaulins, II compelled.
The land party VIII vary in strength, according 10
the section OF the country it operates In and VIII
consist OF q party Of surveyors ana a number OF
teahsters. AS botn parties are likely to encounter
bands OF hostile Indians oil the NavaJos and Plute
tribes, who have cut of members or previous expe-
ditions, tney VIII be thoroughly armed aud pre-
pared TO hgnt or pow.wow, as the case
may be. Major Powell expects, however, TO
ee able 10 complete his labors without hindrance
since he has already entered upon preliminary rea-
ties with the chies while In their country previous
visits, Supplies are to be drawn from This Terri
tory. jacob Hamin, an ola Indian scout and trader
who was with MAJOR Powell on his former eXpedl-
tons, win arrange depots OF supplies al the juno
the crossing Of the Cunnison trail OF the Green
river; at the mouth OF the Dirty Devil river, a
stream not laid down on any map, but
winch nows portion OF Its in Utah Terri
tory; at the mouth OF the PARA river, aud at two
other points below. IL the functions of unknown or
unnamed streams with the Colorado. All military
posts and Indian agencies are TO be drawn upon Tor
supplies when needed, bu: most oil the explorers
provisions VIII be furnished from this point and
sent through southern utah.
MAJOR POWell EXPECTS 10 De absent on ms eXpedi-
ton until september, 1872, during which time ne
viii make as complete geologic, topographic and
general survey Of tue wids OF Colorado, Arizona and
Nevada as Is possible. His field Of operations VIII
embrace an area oi country extending either side
oil The Colorado FOR nfty TO one hundred mics, for
distance oil al least 925 miles III length. stretching
from Green river, wyoming Territory, 10 Coa.vilie,
New. The greater part OF the country is cut up by
tremendous gorges, canons, from 800 10 1000 rect
III depth. All the streams that come down the
Colorado river IN the region about TO be specially
surveyed rush through lrignuul canons. Indeed. 1t
consists OF eel iaDyTItD OF tremendously deep
georges, through which fearful mountain torrents
thunder along very difficult and dangerous to ex-
ploie. Tor miles and miles there way OF get
ting either III out OF the torrents, that land and
water parties must cooperate IN their thorough eA-
MAJOR Poweu's route is from the Green river sta
u0n, on the Union Pacific Railroad, IN wyoming,
down the Green river TO its junction with the Colo
RADIO. ana thence down tnay mysterious stream TO
In Nevada. As ] remarked before, Major Powell
will 10 absent niteen months. and perhaps for two
years. Prom time TO time hope TO nave the plea
sure OF hearing from HIM, he has promised 10
give the HERALD occasional accounts OF the pro.
sress OF ms explorations. His wie and family re-
IN this Cty as the mest central ana accessible
point 10 DC reacoed w messengers ana mails.
The following Is correct llst OF tue scientific por-
Powell geoogisI and chief OF the expedition; Pro-
lessor A. n. Thompson astronomer; captain +. M.
Bishop. assistant astronomer, >. V. Jones, topo
graphical engineer; U. Bcaman, photographer; j.
= stewart assIsan, seo1gssn D eemes
Powell A. J. Hatton and @. y. Bradley.
1he following u an account OF
THE HAYDEN EXPLORING EXPEDITION TO THE YELL
LOwsTONR River
The Hayden expedition was formed under the
auspices OF the IN tnsonan Institute, aided by do
nation from Congress, for the purpose OF making
thorough exploration and survey or the head
waters OF the Yellowstone river aud "A portion OF
Dakota aud Montana territories. IL arrived last
week from he last ana went into camp al ogden,
small town about forty miles from here. at the
junction Of the Union and Central Pacific rail-
roads. The entire week has been spent in
completing the necessary arrangements lor the hnal
Start. The wagons aud general outntwe Obtained
al the military posts East; and nom Lieutenant
Dlnwldde. oil the second calvary, Acting Quarter
master at Camp Douglas, Dr. Hayden obtained
tho provisions necessary 10 enable him TO reach
Fort Hall, IN Montana Territory, from which point
the expedition VIII plunge into region OF
country perhaps never before pressed by