The New York herald., 1872-11-16
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
DnAn Ann Z

Patagonla, August IL 1877.
The United States steamship 0ssipee, third rate,
eight guns, Commander ]. n Miner, United States
Navy, commanding arrived at this place on the
18th inst. from Payta and Valparaiso via Smyth's
Channel and will leave tomorrow for Rio Janeiro
en- route from the Pacific fleet to New York. The
0sspee has been employed on the Pacific since
April, 1867; has been flagship OF the North Pacific
squadron, and latterly lin 1S71-72) was flagship OF
Commodore d. McDouga commanding South
Pacific squadron. who, 1t will be remembered, vim
dicated the honor OF the American nag in his at
tack on the Japanese forts and vessels at Simona-
sak Japan, in 1864. In May last the vessels OF the
South Pacific squadron separated nom their rem
devious at Callao, Peru for different points, the
ossipee being directed TO proceed to and survey
the harbor OF Chimbote, Peru, which duty being
completed she sailed for Payta, arriving there ON
May 20.
On the morning OF June l everybody was SUR
prised and pleased on hearing the news that the
0ssipee was to sail forthwith for New York. on
June she sailed from Payta for Valparaiso, and
everything was propitous for pleasant and favor
able passage until June 20. when, at about seven
o'clock in the morning, the alarm was given-"A
man overboard' The life buoy was let go a boat
was manned in the short space OF two minutes and
pulled towards the man, who, unfortunately, could
not swim ana OF his shipmates, James Ben
son, jumped overheard and gallantly rsked his
man. All efforts to save the poor fellow proved un-
successful and after vigilant search the boat re-
turned TO the ship, picking up Benson on the way.
The name ofthe drowned man was John X. Smith, a
native OF New York. This accident, occurring, as
u did, on the passage home, cast gloom over
the ship which did not soon wear OF.
Nothing OF further interest occurred, and the
vessel arrived at Valparaiso on July 6, after IA
vorabe passage of thirty days only remaining In
that place just long enough to take in stores sail
ing from there on July Is for Rio Janeiro. After
leaving Valparaiso head winds ana bad weather
reach the entrance to Smyths Channel which, under
more favorable circumstances, would have only
taken ten days. Smyths Channel Is general term
applied to the different straits and channels lead
ing from the Gulf of Pehas to the straits OF Magel-
Ian, between the coast Of Patagonia and the
islands to the westward; and, although there are
but two really difficult places for vessel TO pass
be advisable for vessel Of small steam
power or one on 20 OF & any great SIZE or length
unless IN charge of a person having
good local knowledge OF it, on account OF having to
make an anchorage every night and the days days
weather is also great drawback, heavy snow
storms and thick weather prevailing, together
with severe gusts OF wind, which are often encoun-
tered, called wilewaws 1t took the Ossipee If
teen days to reach this place from the northern
entrance to the channel, the distance being only
six hundred miles. Anchorages were made When
possible before night set in, and some of the OIL
ecrs went in search of game at places where it was
reported to abound, but returned empty handed,
either because the game was scarce OF the shot too
scattered. Others obtained some fine specimens of
musses We're found which proved to be very eat
able. The scenery is simply magnificent, the land
rising to a considerable height, the hills being
thckly wooded on the lower parts and covered
with snow on the peaks. Several glaciers were
also seen, but none of apparently great extent.
The vessel was twice visited by natives, who Qf
they may be taken as specimen Patagoniansl, do
not sustain the old theory of Patagonan giants
They are below the medium size copper colored
very lean, with hardly any snews, and OF moderate
intelligence. Their dress, male and female con-
sisted of seaskins thrown over their shoulders
with no covering to their lower eXtremities. They
live In canoes, having their whole family with
them, the canoe being about twenty feet long
by two feet wide, with a fire burning in the
centre, and their food consists principally Of she'll
fish. The Ossipee will leave here tomorrow for
Rio Janero, where she expects TO arrive about the
10th prOX. Her officers are:-
COn,1odnder'-J. n Miner, Commanding
lieutenant CODldad1lders-Francis Morris, EXecu
tive Onicer Horace Elmer, Navigator.
LieaAeaaRt-Frank Curtis.
Maste,s-Charles b. Adams and Gottlried Block
linger.
Eltsfgns-U. r. Harris and Herbert Wiuslow.
Midshipnlda-M. ID. Hyatt.
Assistant Surge0n-Iiolmes Wikon.
Past Assistant PdDrndSte1-J. Porter Looms.
E7tgfneeas-Chief A. j. Kiersted Assistant, II.
+. Rhoades.
Lieutenant or Mdrines-J. C. Straler
Pay Cle1k-Samuel Jenkinson.