The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-22
UNDER THE PACIFIC
Soundings Made by Commander
Erben in the Tuscarora.
THE DEE EST D E P T H
A Gable Route Surveyed from
San Francisco to Asia.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 1875.

| WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 1875.
The remarkable discoveries made ~ CON-
mander Beiknap. United states Navy. during his
cruise In the United states steamer ruscarora III
the Pacific IN 1878 and 1874, are yet being dis
cussed by scientific men and seamen throughout
the civilized world. First, the discovery Of re-
markabe range OF submarine mountains. which
showed decided evidence OF volcanic origin; then
the wonderful trough which the KurO silva, or
Japanese coast Stream. had cut through the
rocky bed OF the Pacific Ocean Tor It's track to the
north ard east, and last, the unaccountable
broad plateau OF liable reaching from vancouver's
Island to the Aleutian group and comprising all
the ocean bed between those points ard the
northwestern coast line OF this Continent.
After the return OF the Tuscarora from her deep
sea s, findings Tor a telegraph cable route be-
tween the orient and the Occident. Commander
Henry Erben Jr., United states Navy, was assigned
10 the command. relieving Commander Belknap
and he was dered TO proceed direct from san
Francisco Lay 70 Honolulu, making frequent deep
sea casts with the same Improved apparatus used
by Commander Belknap (Which waa so fully de.
scribcd by your correspondent last year,, TO de-
termine whether direct line might net be avail
able for cable laying. THAT is, examine carefully
the bed OF the ocean, determining its profile. the
character OF the bottom, and thus ascertain II the
direct route would prove as sale. economical and
san Diego TO The Hawaiian group.
Commancer Erben sailed from San Francisco on
the 1st OF November last, and 80 careful was the
performance OF the work TINT he only arrived at
Honolulu toward the middle OF January. Hts re-
port III iul OF his operations, which was received
OF the Navy Department. on February Q, Is given IN
lul. and tells the story IN lew words, but far
better than more pracrised pen might do. the
story OF tie results attained Is that OF trained
sailor who tells MS Official superior, as he Is re-
CURED TO DO. OF duty performed that was assigned
HIM, but tells notnng OF the constant watcn nd
laDors, aay and night, required alike Of ofncers
and men.
made by Commanocr Henry Eroen:-
COMMANDER ERBEN'S REPORT.
UNITED STATES Steamship TUscARoRA.
r. Orr HoSoLuLu HAWAIIAN ISLANDS Jan. ~ 1870 J.!
OF October last have the nonor to report that pro
Francisco. CAT. TO Honolulu. Hawsiian Islands. The
rst case vas taken in 435 tahoms water Far allones
the apparatus sent TO ships by the bureau OF Navisa
lion With the exception OF The apparatus received from
.sS Sys % s ssna
wnai considered to Be the bed Of the ocean ai 2o45
most uniform depth Of from 2,5)j t. 400 iathoTs
water, with bottom " sott brown yellow ooIe or mud
longitude 49, deg. Is min. - Sec west which was re-
markaSiy good we came upon vi VIA iatnoms water
coral and lime. The specimen cup ana bruised
~ The next a. attitude y deg 50 min; g sec
.a,homs o. water. with bottom 9t rSss got some
twentynv pound lead attached to the wire. and with
u vas