Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-12-21
A PERILOUS VOYAGE.
A Passage through the Grand Canyon Of
the Arkansas Rivera Boat Dashed to
Pieees-The Daring voyagers' Escape
Grand Scenery.

Very many adventurous spirits have
looked upon the canyon of the Arkansas
river, above Canyon City, with longing
desire to make the voyage of It's entire
length, but the frowniug rocks, the preci-
pltous walls, the dashing current aud the
tleacherous whirlpools have deferred the
attempt Heretofore. Tue Canyon City
Times, of last week, gives the following
account of the manner in which a trip was
attempted, and how the parties Jared on
their way through; Not long since, a
party determined to attempt the passage
through the grand canyon ofthe Arkars sas.
For this purpose they procured boat,
and after providing themselves with blan-
keis, camping outfit, etc., they launched
forth on their dariug mission, with the
intention of thoroughly examining the
canyon. For a time all went well, but
upon entering the caynon unlocked for
obstacles were encounted at every turn.
Once started there was no possibility OF
turning back with the rocky walls rising
perpendIcuarly from the waters edge to
n height of thousand feet or more, and
the water rushing through with such tre-
mendons force that nothing could stand
before ii, there was nothing for II but to
press forward. Not without many MS
givlngs did they proceed.
At several places immense rocks have
fallen into the stream, dividing the vol
ume of water and in measure checking
its flow, from which temporary confine-
ment It rushes on with such force as TO
carry everything floating upon It's surface
down into its depths.
The canyon had been entered but a
short distance before the boat was dashed
to pieces on the rocks, and the ship
wrecked mariners, after each had gained
place of temporary safety, began 10 look
for means Of escape. Looking mp, the
walls seemed to rise above them to an
enormous height, cutting of all hope OF
escape by climbing out; up the stream,
the swift current whose power they had
Just experienced, forbade all hope Of es-
cape in that direction down the stream
was the only avenue Of escape open to
them. Viewing their situation, and rec
ognizng the danger Of trusting themselves
TO the mercy of the angry waters, they
/ took another look for other aids, and,
stranded along the shore they discovered O
number of logs, which they fastened TO-
gether, and on which they completed theil
voyage.
In many places the rock walls rise per
I
/ fording no footing on which the traveller
may rest at others, the wall is on bui
one side, with narrow strip Of land be
tween the water and the mountain, and
again .he strip of land is found on either
side.
AT several points ties (from the drive O.
the past summer) were found which hat
been drawn beneath huge rocks by thu
current and held so firmly by the pressure
of the water that it was impossible t
move them.
The scenery of the canyon viewed from
below is said to be of stupendous gIan
deur, and those who have looked down in
to It's depths aud seen the silvery rlbbol
thousands of feet below, can well imaginl
what would be the impression upon tn
mind Of those looking up from its grea
depths and seeing nothing above but
narrow strip Of blue sky.
The daring voyagers, after many shiT
wrecks and the loss of all their stores an
Ammunition, and being without food fo
forty eight hours, finally emerged fror
the cauVOu.