New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-07-27
LOCAL MISCELLANY.

T-uF NICARAGUA FAP' ,,x,,o,,,>yr,roN
RETURN OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE
PROPOSED CANAL.
Early last Spring party of engineers was
srganized by the Government TO make survers OF q
canal route from the Atlantic TO the Pacific through
Nicaragua. The Government OF that country had
appealed to the United for this purpose as It
lacked and FOR the work. and the interests
of induced the United States to comply WIN
the request for aid The party included Commander A
T. CrOssnan, u. s. n; Lieuts c. A. schetky, D. T. Noel
". W. Roades, c II. c. Leutze, L. 5. n. Master j. f.
Mosor, u. s N. Doctor j. W. Elston, u s. N; Midship
men j. D. Keller f. NJ. Hughes, +. Winslow u S. M
Cyi Engineer Menooal, and Assistant Civil Engineer
j. f. Crowell b. S. Whtfall. Professor of Chemistry
and Geology n Mississippi College, accompanied the
expedition as geOlogist They started for Key west by
the steamship CITY of Houston, on March TO- ana arrived
OH March o. having encountered severe gales They se
sail on United States gunboat Kansas for Graytown
Nicaragua where they arrived on April T. Owing 10 the
shifting OF the harDor bar, Commander Crossmah anu
four companions, while undertaking to cross IL IN
whaloboat, were thrown into the water Inc Oom
mauder told his to obey his orders ana proseu W
save them They attempted to bail out the boat, but
soon became exhausted Each one struck out Tor Tue
land. and all were rescued except Commander
Crossuan The accident seen from the
ship and all available boats were at once
manned The first cutter was upset as the whaleDoat
had been aud its officer, Alfred Fore Of Kentucky,
Master in the navy and four seamen were drowned
Commander Crossman native OF Missouri, but re-
sided in Philadelphia. The body of q seaman named
Ely was washed ashore two days later. Another body
was seen surrounded by sharks The rest of the bodies
not recovered.
Commander Hatfield OF the Kansas took command, and
the party pushed rapidly possible and on reach
ing Virgin Bay began operations This route rather than
the Ishmus line favored because there is body
of water the Isthmus sufficient TO feed canal aud
entire ridge of rock in COO feet IN night
would have 10 be down to the ocean level; while Lake
Nicaragua winch is about 100 by 40 miles in extent ana
The highest level OF the route Will furnish an ample sup
ply OF water Rivers too Will feed the few more ele-
waited parts of the canal The space between the Lake
and the Pacific, about II miles in width, was
the only ground surveyed. -Four routes were lald
out. The Lake is 12S feet above the
level OF the Pacific and 1871 feet above that OF the At
lantc difference ascribed TO peculiar tidal currents on
the Atlantic side. The highest point OF the line sur
yeyed between the lake and the Pacific is Al feet above
level of the lake The River san Juan Will feed TINS
the canal Records OF tidal variations were kept
az several points, which will be the basis OF better
knowledge of that subject In those seas The tempera-
tUro varied from $50 TO So in the shade aud III the
sun 70 1882 On the whole the climate was delightful.
The next expedition will probably be sent out az the
beginning the dry season IN December The Nicaragua
Minister gave dinner TO the party last evening at the