The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-27
THE CRUISE OF THE MERCURY.
five Months on the AtIan-
tic Ocean.
Officials Report Two and the Boys
Eight Missing.
MYSTERIOUS RETICENCE OF THE OFFICIALS.

MYSTERIOUS RETlCENCE Of THE OFFICIALS.
The schooship Mercury is once more comfort
ably riding at anchor on the Sound, between Hart
and City Islands, after having traversed thousands
Of miles OF ocean, and visited the different ports Of
the South Atlantic The authorities in charge OF
the Mercury appear to be fully satisfied with the
results Of the cruise, and Of the opinion that It
has proved highly beneficial to the boys, as 1t has
enabled them to form more extended estimate OF
the countries they have visited than mere geo.
graphical instruction could have arrived at. The
cruise extended over period OF nve months, and
with the exception Of little rough water when
only couple Of days out, they enjoyed very nne'
weather during the entire voyage.
THE BRIGHT SIDE
"A representative of the HERALD visited the Mer,
curry last Friday, and made some inquiries relative
to the voyage. In the absence Of Captain Girard
description Of the voyage was furnished by the
assistant paymaster. From the Information thus
obtained 1t appears that the sch0olship Mercury
WEIGHED ANCHOR
on the 10th OF December, and bidding adicu to City
Island came down through the Sound to New York
and thence down the Lower Bay, passed Sandy
Hook and stood out to sea route for the Canary
Islands. For the first few days the weather was far
from pleasant, and the old ship encountered q
heavy cross sea that made her roll considerably.
She, however, proved herself stanch In every re.
spect, and nobly weathered the storm. In about d
week, however, they fell u with favorable winds
and comparatively smooth water, SO that they ar.
rived and anchored or Los Pamas, in the
CANARY ISLANDS,
on the 18th Of January. The weather was charming,
in that locality, and the Mercury remained there
until the Odd Of January, when she got under weigh
and steered for Bahia, a port on the Brazilian
coast The course lay about south, southwest, and,
with favorable breeze, they soon passed the Cape
de Verde Islands, and then, crossing the Equator,
made for their destination. Leaving the Island Of
Fernando Noronha on their right they arrived at
their destination the 18th OF February and were
soon riding at anchor OF Bahia. During the cruise
from Los Palmas to this port the boys were given q
little daily exercise in open boat, and soundinga
were taken all along the course Specimens Of thu
bottom were also obtained and carefully preserved.
The Mercury did not remain very long at Bahia, butt
after weeks rest, she again weighed anchor and
steered for
RIO JANEIRO,
some distance further south the Brazilian coast.
This part of the voyage was very pleasant and
much enjoyed by all on board. weeks sail saw
the Mercury anchored Off Rio Janeiro, and she res
NAMED at that port until March II. The Mercury
had now arrived at the southern terminus of her.
route, and on the 18th Of March she started once
more up the coast, bound In northerly direction!
BY way of making this part of the voyage useful as
wen as instructive soundings were taken 8, every
that adhered to the lead carefully classified ana
preserved. After passing Cape st. Rogue -, the
Mercury was steered for Barbados, In the WesC
India Islands She anchored off the port Of Bridge
town on the 14th Of April, and remained there g
week. During the sojourn Of the Mercury at
Bridgetown reception was given by Captain
Girard to some OF the leading residents OF tha
place, and among those present were Consul Holly,
JudC
English man-ofwar
The guests were shown all over the Mercury
| and expressed themselves much pleased and
| Interested with what they saw. The Mercury,
ae' pleasant t'f three days sail, arrived at the
| Island of st. Thomas on the 26th, and remained
then turned ner bow homeward, and after q
pleasant trip arrived and cast anchor In her old
OF CITY order on tae
none the worse for her cruise. On the 18th Of May
an entertainment was given on board, and among
the guests were Pilot Commissioner Blunt Captain
Hardy and some twenty ship masters.
THE DARK SIDE
REPORTER-Were there no other Incidents OF puOSS
| lie interest that occurred during the voyage3
OFrIcER-None of any Importance.
| REpoRrER-Were there no deaths or casualties :,
OFFICER-A boy fell from the main yard and died
few days afterwards from the injuries he received
| but 1t Is hardly worth reporting that.
REPORTER-Can you give me some particulars
about the accident as my instructions are to pub
| lish all news
| OFFICEK-lnc name Ol Tue DOy WIS WulueE Mon.
ming; he had been in the scho0lship about six
months. He was on the main-yard one day, while
! lying ut anchor Off BrdgetOwn, when he missed
his hold and fell to the deck, injuring himself 50
severely that he died few days afterwards
! REPoRTER-Were there no boys drowned during
the cruise?
OFFIcER-Yes, boy named Michael Welsh was
lost in the surf the 18th OF January while making
landing at Los Palmas, on the Canary Islands.
REPoRTER-How did the accident occurp
OrFICER--The boat was making landing through
the SURF and the boys told to hold on, but this
was careless and got pitched out into the surf,
and 1t was impossible to save him.
REPoRTER-Were there any other casualties or
incidents OF interest during the cruises
| OFFlCER-No, sir.
The HERALD reporter then left the cabin to return
! to his boat, and on the companOnway asked one OF
the boys how he enjoyed the trip. The little fellow
said they had very pleasant time, but they
LOST EIGHT BOYS .
during the cruise He said two or three had jumped
overheard Off the coast OF BRAZIL another had
! jumped overheard while close to New York.
The HERALD representative then got into his boat
and was pulled back to WhitestOne, fully satisfied
OF the truth Of the reports that were foating
| around of the loss of life during cruise OF the