The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-14

The Survey for an Inter
sea oceanic Canal.
Progress Of the operations-The Line Com
mcnced at the Mouth of the 0chomogo
observation-disclosures Of Lakes
Nicaragua and Managua.

LA VIRGEN, JAM II, 1873.
In letters last year the HERALD was duly advised
OF the surveys made by the United states surveying
expedition for an interoceanic canal through this
isthmus under the command or Captain Chester
Hatfield, United States Navy, who, for the short
time he had here for the work, accomplished
much, but, on account Of the rainy season, was
compelled to return home. Captain Hatfield was
very active and competent, and deserves great
credit for the services he rendered the government
THE UNITED STATES SURVEYING EXPEDITION.
On the Sd inst Captain Edward p. Lul officers
and men of the expedition arrived here in the lake
steamer, and took quarters at the same places az
the former expedition last year, Captain Luil beng
the guest of MIR. Ran Runnes, and the officers &C.,
occupying one of his cottages. Mr.. Runnels' long
residence In this country enabled him to give mucn
valuable Information and services.
The object OF the expedition is to make surveys
and ascertain the most practicable route for an
interoceanic canal through this Republic, and has
come out under the command OF Captain Edward
p. Lull who, the moment he arrived, organized
and despatched the different parties for their re-
spective fields Of operation. Party number one
Ia composed OF Lieutenant Leutze tn command),
Lieutenant J. W. Miller with the level Assistant
Civil Engineer J. F. Crowell with the transit in
strument, five petty officers and seamen acting as
polemen, rodmen and chainmen and twelve
natives as macheter0s, cooks and muleteers.
The route this party is now surveying conf
mences at the mouth Of the Ochomog0 River, goes
up to its head. and then crosses over on the
Pacific side to the port OF Escalante. The exact
distance has not yet been determined, sut IL Will
Lieutenant w. w. Rhodes commands the second
party, First Assistant Engineer George N. Greene
running the transit and Lieutenant J. F. Moser the
level. There are about the same number OF rod
men, chainmen &c. as IN party No: !; ms nne
out to the palms. crosses the cordillera and runs
down TO the port OF Brito on the Pacific side. The
distance Is about sixteen miles. This will doubt
be the route selected for the canal, unless better
one should be found between this and San Juan
A tidegauge party has gone to Brito in charge
Of Ensign Kosworth Niles, with petty orlcers and
The Sapra line which was surveyed last year, fs
the old favOrite route of the French company and
Monsieur Felix Belly. But the United States Sur.
veying party found it to be impracticable, as the
summit over the cordillera is 100 feet above the
level Of the sea- This is to be regretted as IL has
one OF the best ports-at Salinas-on the Pacific.
Midshipmen ]. d. Keeler, Francis WnslOw and
E. N. Hughes return to the United States. These
officers remained here during the past rainy sea-
launch and were engaged in hydrographlcal sur
veys on the lake.
A. G. Menocal and Master J. M. Hawley. will make
reconnaissance through the lakes Of Nicaragua
and Managua to the Bay OF Fonseca, on the Pacific.
This line was indicated by Louis Napoleon while
prisoner at Ham. Should the reconnaissance show
anything favorable in that ine, then regular sur.
vey will be made of
The officers OF the expedition have made very
favorable impression upon the people Of this coun-
try, and the commander is considered to be 1.-THE
right man In the right place."
When the surveys between the lake and the Pa
cinc Ocean have been completed the expedition
will then 60 down the San Juan River and COM
mence work, then to the port of GreytOwn, or
Monkey Point on the Mosquito coast.
The line from the lake to the Pacific runs through
many beautiful cocoa and indigo estates, and the
most OF them are in good condition Of cultivation
The climate here Is healthy for foreigners, and
labor from abroad will, no doubt, be brought here
for the works OF the great enterprise, should q
practicable route be discovered. ss1H t~