The New York herald., 1874-09-17
THE TRANSIT OF Venus.
The American Commission for Observation
Landed at Cape Town, Africa.
A Quick Run on the United
States Ship SWatara.
SCIENTIFIC ARRANGEMENTS
Terrestrial and Oceanic Facts by a
Herald Special Correspondent.
UNITED STATES STEAMER SwArARA, J
CAFE TOWN, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE,

UNITED STATES STEAMER SwArARA
CAPE TOWN, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
August s, 1874.
fhe United States steamer Swatara, with the
Venus Transit Commission on board arrived here
this morning, ffty-nine days from New YORK, In
cluding four days spent at Bahia Brazil, where we
touched Tor coal and fresh provisions. This is an
unusually quick passage, and gives us all the
more time here for preparing the ship for the real
work OF the expedition, and affords ample oppor-
tunitles TO the officers Of the commission for regu-
latng their chronometers, arranging details aud
putting the finishing touches to their outfits. At
the Cape there is no teegraphic communication
with the rest OF the world, and the mails
are very uncertain, otherwise 1t is Pc
culiarly well fitted for starting point for the
transit expedition. Not only because it Is q free
port ana sea stores, provisions and clothing
Of all kinds are cheap and good, but also for the
reason that the longitude OF the place has
been very accurately determined by the
English National Observatory here, and conse-
quently the astronomers OF the commission will
have no difficulty in rating the thirty odd chr0-
n0meters, upon which they will be obliged to rely
In determining the geographical position of their
stations.
THE VOYAGE FROM NEW YORK.
Cape Town Is about 1000 miles from New YORK,
and lies almost directly to windward so that IN
making the passage under sail vessel Is obliged
TO make three long stretches, crossing the Atlantic
each time. This swels the distance to nearly
1900 mies-long miles, too Tor they are made with
the yards braced sharp up and che shee's hauled
nat aft. First we sailed across to the southwark
and eastward toward the Cape de Verde
Islands, SO as to be able to take ad vantage
OF the northeast trade winds, which we
pick up about midway, carrying them as far as
the Doldrums, or the Equatorial belt OF Gains,
storms and varlables; when, if disgusted with
the climate, they soar straight up and take the
back track leaving US 10 furl our canvas and make
the best Of our way across the debatabe water
between the TWO great trade wind belts under
steam; across q region where the weather is IOr
ever unsettled where Eous seems to be always
tuning his bagpipes, where there Is no Old Proba-
bties, no clerk OF the weather; latitude where
the wind plays at rry-go-round, shifting thirty
ave points in as many minutes, blowing high ana
blowing low; where the very mercury in the
barometer seems to have given up all hope OF
Keeping the run OF things, and has crawled away
down out OF sight, as If TO keep out OF the rain,
which comes down in unceasing showers; where
the sky Is o mass Of disorganized, savage-looking
Bquall clouds, each one sailing, apparently, under
Aroving commission, and all cOnverglng upon the
vessel; where the sea Is tumult OF confused
waves, cruising around in bewildered sort OF
way, as il looking Tor the winds which had brought
them so lar ana deserted Them,
NE COMMISSIONERS NOT PROOF AGAINST SEASICK-
NESS.
Hitherto the motion OF the vessel had been
rather inslnuatlng, but graceful and easy-a kind
o. waltz movement, q combination Oh The glide and
the Boston dp-and very lew had been actively
sick. But when the ship encountered the heavy,
Irregular sea OF the D0ldrums nearly every mem
ber OF the commission succnmbed. Nature seemed
these scientists, whose business it IS to pry into
her secrets, and gratlted 1t accordingly. The
notion was 80 violent, indeed, tnat John Foster.
ntou nj tha OIL nd oh
boAtswalns mate, IN conclave with some half
dozen other old zo6phltes and sea skimmers, de-
eided, with heavy hearts, that the weather would
not admit Of the performance OF the traditional,
nme-honored larce OF "crOssing the ne," and so
the greenhorns and landsmen escaped Tor this
time. However, AFTER Tour days OF this battledore
and shuttiecOck, We crossed this part of the ter
ribe zone and ie in with the southeast trades.
which begin to play their part in maint taning the
perpetual commerce OF heat between the Equator
and the Poles IN latitude one degree south, ana,
would draw, one fine, breezy afternoon saw US at
HARBoR OF BAHIA,
sne-haf OF the distance to the Cape accomplished
In thirty days. Bahia is q picturesque unsavory
Did city, very much like Lisbon ia appearance,
with its narrow street and overhangng balco-
MES 1t Is situated upon the north snOre OF the
large Bahia lbay de Iodos los los santos. am Ihe , real
Or other the whole world have dropped into the
habit Of calling 1t Bahia 1t Is famous for the vel
low lever for It's oranges (the finest in the word.
or its whale fisheries, i0r being the outlet OF the
Brazilian diamond mines and tor us churches and
EOQVeuCb, IL UebuS Iue dICHeplSCOpdl CitJ VI Did-
EiL 1t is noted, too, Tor being the scene OF the
capture OF the Confederate cruiser Florida during
the war Of the rebellion ana, finally Tor being the
port from which Robinson CrusOe sailed upon his
memorable cruise.
MILITARY FACTS.
They keep considerable military force
stationed here, and in one OF the regiments the
patron saint OF the city lne blessed San Antonio.
holds a commission. He rendered some mracu-
l0us service to the Bahianos during the old bucca-
0eerlng times, for which ne was appointed q ser
geant; later ne was promoted TO a captaincy,
he holds to this 0aV. and priests have
erawn his pay and allowances for lights, wash
nc, fuel, &C., for nearly three hundred years.
PHOTOGRAPHINd THE EXPEDITION.
They have two seasons here the wet and the
uhowery, and while We were here 1t ralned every
day, but Tits did not prevent the photographers OF
the expedition from taking dozens OF views OF the
city and surroundings. And here we lett one OF
or the Chatham Island. He had been so pros
Erated ty sea sickness that the surgeon OF the
swaa fearing tnat IA anGsner n 6 TRIP wSoa prSXe
Bunler, his senior assistant takes his place.
THE swATARA-HER PERFORMANCE AT SEA.
We remained here for four days ust long enough
to Ill our bunkers with coal and our lockers
with oranges-then steamed out, bound for the
Cape. Just outside we met with weather which
gave us an opportunity, for the first time, OF
testing the seagoing qualities OF our ship, and,
tines. lie u swatara Is new ship. Just from the
hands OF the naval constructor, and Is fitted with
compound engines, designed and built oy the
Navy Department, and, beng the first OF the type
ever used In inc navy, there was some question
d to whether they had power sufficient TO control
Su0 MoNcMehts VI VIC suip wien VIC dIINcu III
The stormy regions OF the Crozet and kerguelen
stations which lie right In the track OF the 'brave
west wnds, at the very heart VI the ''roaring
fortles" where, as the sailors say ''ft blows nard
enough to blow the teeth right down your throat"
All douots upon this point were, however, soon
cot at rest. for they carried us right to wiDdward
against the heavy headwnd and sea OF the south
east trades-biowing gale at this season--at a
rate OF from seven TO nine knots, driving us along
As though We were a passenger steamer built for
speed alone, and furnishing convincing proof that
we could more than hold our own against any
thing short of q hurricane. Speaking OF the
swatara aud her fitness for the expedition, 1
must add that she is fast and what sailors call
''handy'' under san, making upon more than one
occasion from twelve to thirteen knots, with her
yards braced up and topgaIlant sails set dragging
her four -bladed propeller
OBSERVATIONS WHEN AT SEA.
We made very good run across to the Cape,
making 1000 miles In twenty-threc days. The
early part OF the voyage was very pleasant ana
was especially interesting TO the astronomers,
Who had now an opportunity OF observlng-m0st
en- fnr fha thn hrillt nnf III.