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

"A TRIP DOWN THE RAPIDS.
Camp Life In q Virgin FoFost-Sad Plight
in a Rustic Palace.
Merits of the Rival Routes Opin-
ion Of the Engineers.
ON BOARD U. 8. 8. sARANAc,

ON BOARD u. 8. 8. HARANAC, l
LMON BAY, South Pacific April II, 1874.
Lest some misrepresentation might exist in refer
ence to the present examination OF the Nicaragua
and AtratoNapipt Canal routes, surveyed under the
auspices Of the government. it may, perhaps be as
well TO explain that when the Commissioners. con-
sistmg OF General HUMPHREYS, Commodore Ammen
and Professor Pierce, we're appointed by the Presi-
dent to determine the merits OF The different pro-
posed interoceanIc lines Of communication. 1t was
agreed that an officer Of the United States En-.
eineer corps should MAKE personal inspection OF
the places designated in order that their report
might be the more complete and authentic. Major
Walter Mcfarland, 1t viii be remembered, was
selected for the duty, and Captain huer, OF the
same corps, was detailed to assist him. Several
gentlemen, including eminent civil engineers. were
subsequently invited by the Navy Department to
participate In the examination, and although Gen.
eral Ammen, Colonel Walton, Of New Orleans,
and Professor Mitchell, the party now com.
posing the invited guests, viii doubtless furnish
voluntarily valuable information In regard to the
various features which present themselves In the
course Of the trip, all the recommendations and
suggestions Will, OF course be based mainly on the
of1cial report OF Major Mcfarland who was spe-
cialy assigned to the task. This much by way OF
explanation, owing to some misconception as to
the character Of the party now comfortably quar-.
with all despatch to my snare OF the business. OF
course Commissioner like myself, may not know
everything, from tunnel to turnpike, yet a.
vesttng myself OF all engineering technicaltties, I
think shall be able to place before you q lair and
impartial idea Of the relative merits Of the two
routes 1t VIII. perhaps, be remembered that when
she party arrived at Panama, o ter thorough in
vestfRati0n OF the proposed Nicaragua route, they
were received by Commander Selirldge and con.
veyed to the United States steamer Saranoc,
then anchored in the bay.
BEFORE THE START.
The interest created at Panama by the arrival
Of the party from Nicaragua was, may say, pretty
general, and not little speculation was INDUCED
10 - to the views they entertained on the subject
OF their route through that charming country. Poor
Panama. The recent IRE has made sad havoc
with place which the cas ual observer might have
thought two months ago could not have been
made much worse. The turkey buzzards now
congregate amid the ruins Of the Grand Hotel like
mourners at a funeral The little plaza, once
lively with the hum OF lazy loungers once
noisome, too, with the hldeous twang Of the SHOE
less soldiers Ia now silent and forlorn. Merchants
have shifted into humber quarters IN this wasting
square, but have not forgotten their quondam
hospitality believe another hotel is in course
OF construction by the same energetic. though
unlucky, caterer who owned the Grand Hotel. The
AFFAIRS OF the town, moreover, were not improved
by the revolution that took place not long SINCE
when the dwar6sh and ragged warriors perforated
the interior OF several private residences To add
TO the general stagnation the government con-
unues its extorton, and, altogether, the prospect
ID not encouraging.
THE NICARAGUA ROUTE AND IT'S RIVAL.
Although 1t would, perhaps, be premature at
this stage to anticipate the views entertained by
Rho uwiu in
route 1t may be safely stated that Its feasibility is
not doubted by any OF them. Indeed, they all in
cline TO the idea that the only real difficulty pre-
sented Is the bar at Greytown, to which pre-
vousy referred az the great stumbling block to all
progress In Nicaragua 1t Is apprehended that
the estimates set down as likely to cover
the cost OF the proposed improvements
would TALL far short Of the required amount. How
belt the bar is the worst feature OF the Nicaragua
route; yet where the other elements OF the pro-
posed line are 30 favorable 1t is reasonable sup
pose that such an obstacle would not be allowed
to stand in the way OF the greatest undertaking OF
the present age. Speaking OF the interest excited
BY the advent Of the party at Panama. en- route
to the South Pacific, should add that the inhabi-
tants OF that hectic spot. and indeed OF the entire
Isthmus, have long asserted thai the only line
practicable, In every sense Of the word, for an
interoceanic canal route was that contiguous to
tue railway track, where every facility was at
hand to aid the carrying out OF the enterprise.
They have, consequently, treated other surveys
with feeling bordering on Indifference confident
In the hope that a canal would never be built on
any other line than that rom Aspnwall to Panama.
And whatever may be the result OF the present
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the Commissioners at
Washington will report in favor OF either of
the great routes surveyed under the auspices
n n ted lat Unv 10 no
to whom allude VIII forever maintain that their
great ana progressive railway now traversed by
she iron horse points out hard by the sure and
only medium OF water communication between
the two oceans. The subject has given rise to
much discussion, but as 1t is beyond my province
just now to endorse or adopt statements as to the
Feasibility or cheapness Of any route will pro-
ceed TO give the details OF the examination OF the
line known as
THE ATRAT0-NAPIPI ROUTE.
frior 10 the arrival OF the engineers from Mica.
raRua Lieutenant ]. I. Sullivan, United States
Navy VINO had already assisted Commander Self
ridge In two important interoceanic surveys. pro.
ceeded IN the Saranac TO Limon Raw. some miles
from the western terminus OF the proposed !
route, 70 make barometrcal reconnaissance
OF the country lying between the valley
Of the Napipi and the Doguado, as well az to pro.
cure lndian guides and canoes Tor the party And
may here add that the duty assigned to Lieu
tenant Sullivan was well performed AZ the foot
sore travellers had reason subsequently to expert
ence ana now, oiddinR aoieu TO the sunburnt city
OS Panama. 10 its crumbling ramparts and dis.
codant bells, its perforated walls and belioerent
chandeliers. Inc Saransc weighed anchor on tho
evening OF the 9th instant, and sailed for Cupuca
Bay. The trip was exceedingly enjoyable rem
0ered more 30 BY me genaIity and kind consdera.
1ion OF the oflcers attached to the vessel | had
occasion. three years ago. when accompanying
she Daxien Canal Surveying Expedition, to speak
OF the great organizing powers and executive
ability OF Commander Selfridge, and now, as l
watched hpm on tnS passage overhaul,nG all