The New York herald., 1877-12-01
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

DANGEROUS NAVIGATION ON THE PACIFIC
coAsT-rHE TUsCARoRA ASSIGNED TO SUR
vEYINa DurY-THE WORK TO BE ACCOM-
PLIsHED.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 80, 1877.
According to recently received Information tho
United Sta,ce ship Tuscarora Is being fitted At the
Navy Yard, Mare Island, CAL, for surveying duty.
This survey viii comprise the part Of the Pacific
coast south from Cape Corricntes (20 deg. latitude
north) 10 Panama. II Isl known fact that the great
many dangers 10 which navigation along the Pacific
coast was exposed aud the frequent disasters re-
ported maae the interested capitalists Pacific
slope urge upon Congress the necessity Of survey
OF these impercctly known coasts In 1873 Congress
Appropriated Tor this purpose the sum ol 100000
SURVEY OF COMMANDER DEWEY.
Subsequently IN 1873 ana 1875 the United States
steamer Nsrragausstt, Commander Dewey command.
ing. completed thorough and very valuable survey Of
the south from San Diego 10 Cape ST. Lucas, the
interior OF the Calf OF California and tho Aexcan
coast to Cspc Corricntes The entire survey puL
lshed reosntlyjn the photographic ONCE, Washing
ton, D. g.. in four general sheets All lhe existing
dangers were examined and lard down on the charts
In their exact longitudes ana attitudes.
STILL USsURvEyHD.
The part south from Cape Corricntes, With its many
outlying rocks and dangers, remained unsurvsycd,
aud 10 still not accurately enough known TO make
navigation safe. The only reliable Information
navigation said coasts is contained In William
San Francisco, and In Maurys and lmray's sailing
directions In the North Pacific. On account OF the
predominaling winds and currents saiilng vessels
have stand out well from the Mexican coast
Steamers however, arc obliged 10 Keep nearer to
shore account 0f economy and tho necessity Of
touching ut different intermediate points, remaining
Tor this constantly tho vicinity Of outlying
dangers. Tne strong local currents between Cape
Graham aud Cape Corricntes endanger nay igation
greatly.
WORK OF TkE TUscAR0RA.
The task OF the Tuscarora II the above mentioned
very elaborate The triangulalion Of the
entire coast between Cape Correntcs and Panama,
comprising shore line oi 800 miles, ~ necessary;
great many excellent ports and harbors along the
have TO be surveyed and all tho different ouy
ing dangers have to be closely examined and their
posilions ascertained. The expense necessary Tor
making The proposed turvsf Viii be amply counter
balanced by tho great advantages which commerce
will derive from IT, The loss oi tho Pacific Mail
stsamer City Of San FranciscO, still fresh IN memory,
10 be ascribed 10 the imperfect knowledge OF ths
coast. lrsi understood 'tbst Com muhder John W.
Philip, very able aud experienced olilcer, will be In
charge Of the proposed survey, and t TO be hoped
that efficient lorcs Of naval surveyors will be placed
board the ruscarora for assisting order TO make
the result Of the survey valuable aud
Commander Deweys survey, which comprises the
part from San Diego tho twentieth parallel norlh In
icsssnng the losses to lie and capital connected with
navigation between Panama and San Francisco, Con.
grsss will promote commerce along these coasta