The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-12

route, az saw him busted among the pots and
pans mosquito bars and hard tack, leggings,
knapsacks and all the other necessary appur-
tenances, could not help being reminded OF his
wonderful perseverance, ana enthusiasm. What
ever merits or disadvantages his proposed canal
route presents, there be but one opinion as to
the unnagging energy OF its discoverer.
FACTS AND FIGURES.
SO much having been said In reference to the
Atrato Napp route, propose at this stage to give
without comment merely brief outline OF Its
general bearing With the Gulf Of Darlen for q
harbor on the Atlantic side, the line ascends the
Atrato River for $50 miles. The proposed route
for q canal starts from the Atrato about three
miles below the mouth OF the Napipt and runs
almost due west, and never at distance OF more
than half mile from the Nappi River till near the
mouth OF the Doguado. The canal then bends with
q curve towards the river, ana crosses the Napipi
below the junction OF the Doguad0. II follows
close to the right bank OF the latter in general
southwest direction and enters the Pacific Ocean
at tho mouth OF q small stream called the Chiri.
Chirt, the name OF the bay which forms the west
ern terminus. This artificial cut or canal is to be
twenty-eight miles in length. According to Com
mander Seliridge the country is nat along the
Doguado for two miles, when there Is found
gradual rise OF sixty feet.
THB PROPOSED TUNNEL
is to be three and half miles from the Pacific and
Ii continued for three miles, passing under the
divide which Is about 600 feet above the sea- The
dimensions Of the proposed canal include depth
OF rs leet and width at bottom OF earth OF so feet
and In rock OF 60 feet, giving q working surface
width Of 10 feet The tunnel 10 to be liz feet high
and 60 feet wide, leaving 81 feet In the clear
above the surface water. 1t is further proposed
to construct three sidings six miles apart, 1900
V,n
permit them to pass each other on the canal. The
water TO fll the canal would be drawn entirely
from the Napipi River which, at the summit level,
would include also its two principal tributaries,
the Murindo and the Doguado. THIS route requires
q system OF twenty locks-eght from the Atrato
River to the summit level and twelve, which follow
one Immediately after the other, to the proposed
harbor OF Chir-Oh on the Pacific. The entire
cost Of construction OF the proposed canal route.
including twenty -nve per cent added for contin-
gencies, Ia estimated by Commander Seiiridge ct
500 $50, 1l6 have thus briefly called attention to
q few or the main features Of the route, and Will
take occasion at q later period to refer more
mlnutely to the details.
IN CUPICA BAY.
Scarcely had the Saranac dropped anchor in Gu
plea Bay when the beauty OF the surrounding
scenery burst upon the view. Towering hills. COW
cIcu Will ucu6c lOHdk0 VI buo UrlkuLebt RTecOs
rose almost perpendlcularly from the waters edge
but perhaps the very last thing to suggest itself
would be the prospect OF an interoceanic canal in
this desolate region. We anchored about mile
from Shore along which the long, sweeping bill
lows OF the Pacific spent their strength in endless
foam. No sign oil life was to be seen, and alto
gether. more lonely situation could hardly be
conceived, unless 1t be the grave. But the rainy
season had already begun to announce its arrival,
and little time could be spared In contemplating
the Wild grandeur Of the place. With character
istic alacrity Commander Selfridge went ashore to
ascertain from the inhabitants OF q solitary hut
near the beach II the Indians whom he had en-
ployed on his previous visit ten days BEFORE with
Lieutenant Sullivan, who was now in the interior
awaiting our arrival, had succeeded in conveying
. communication TO the Atrato, requesting one
OF the natives to have his canoes and guides in
readiness At the head OF navigation on the Napipi
River.
THE THREE STRANGERS
When Commander Selfridge reached the shore
he was soon lost In the density OF the forest ana
1t was not until late the afternoon that he re.
turned with three stalwart looking natives, whose
airy costume would quickly attract the attention
OF q New York policeman. Indeed, the parsimont-
GUS scarcity OF their apparel was not at all en-
couraging to the tailoring trade. But what they
lacked in clothing they made up In paint, and the
style in which their jaws were irescoed ELECTED
various interesting comments. Each OF them car
ried machete and his earthly possessions averag.
ing about one pound troy weight. Although some-
what timid at the sight OF the warlike surround
ings on the vessel they nevertheless paid grateful
attention to the .'hard tack" and pork with which
they were regaled. In storm or sunshine the PEG.
pie OF this desoate region are entirely Invested of
raiment, except that which modesty imperatively
demands. without much ado the anchor was
weighed and the Saranac proceeded to Limon Bay
o charming retreat three miles further down.
where the Indians were landed with orders to
hasten over the trail and announce the arrival of
the vessel to the chief oil the guides and canoemen
In order that they might be In readiness 10 convey
the party to the Atrato when they should reacn the
head Of navigation on the Napipi.
PRELIMINARY SEASONING,
From on board the Saranac roaring cataract
could be seen far up in the mountain, and, upon
the suggestion OF Commander Selfridge the party
went ashore on the following day. and assembled
on foot stream known as the Lmon River, but
which was rather a series Of tortuous rapids.
Compelled to walk in the bed Of this river progress
on the banks being impossible, 1t may readily be
inferred that promehading was risksome busi.
ness, misfortunes frequently attending the more
Of the travellers, who in bounding from
rock to rock, slipped and took an involuntary
path. But they were all the better it, since this
was regarded as sort of trial trip by way Of
preparation Tor the grand tramp over the divide
that was soon to test tile patience and the mettle
OF those who were to view the Darieu panorama
in all its wildness and inhospitality. After many
mishaps the party reached the waterfall; but, the
precipitous side of the mountain preventing any
further ascent in that direction, we returned to
the ship thoroughly drenched, and satisfied that as
a place of amusement Darlen might be counted
out.
THE PROVISION PARTY.
At dawn on the morning OF the 10th inst. the
provision party, ssting OF one ofncer, a guide
and twenty-five sailors, started from the Saranac
to carry provisions across the trail and deposit
them at the Rancho Grande, where the canoes
were TO be in readiness Tor the party. From the