The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-19
UP THE AMAZON.
vIcIssITUDEs OF VOYAGE TO TIE BRAzILs-
REvERsEs AND HARDsHIps--sUFFERI OF

REvERsEs AND HARDsHIps sUFFERINGs OF
A PARTY OF AMERICAN RAILROAD MEN.
One OF the most important and interesting enter
prises Of modern times SO far as American interests
concerned the building OF the railroad destined
to connect tho navigable waters of the Rio Madeira
which flows into the Amazon, with the Rio Marmore.
This work will opcn new channel tor the trade OF
the Bolivian plateau and cause great saving the
cost OF transportation. At present the trade Of
this region socks outlet by the Pacific
coast, and tails almost wholly into tho
hands Of British merchants. The proposed railroad
by connecting the Rio Marmore and the network of
rivers which now east through Bolivia from the
Andes and tall the Rio Guapore, revolution
ize the transport system OF the rich aud extensive
Bolivian pleateau and It's commerce
the Amazon, thereby enabling America to COM
pete favorable terms with England for
the carrying rado, giving our manufacturers an easy
to region IRON which hitherto thoy have been
practically excluded by British competition. The
length Of the projected line exceed $50 miles
but the way lies through dense tropica: Forest and
there are good many engineering difficulties TO DO
overcome.
Some years ago the building OF this line under.
taken By an English company, but owing 10 the Diff
cues encountered, and, II Is said to msmanagoment
on the part OF the contractors, the work aban-
doIed. Nearly six hundred English workingmen lost
their lives during the progress OF the work. Tho
undertaking has fallen into American
hands, mt 1t must be confessed that It's beginning
has not boon suspicious. The loss OF the Metropolis,
with workmon tended to build the road, too fresh
minds OF tho pubic need extended reference
and the story told by Of the crew oil the sister
ship the Mercdita, gives reason TO tear that many
valuable vos may be sacrificed before the project
has boon successfully carried out
FAN scorT's STORY.
We lett New York In the latter part OF December In
the steamer Merccdita, OF about 800 tons burden,
and went to Philadelphia, where took in freight
and passengers The passengers numbered about
20S, and OF these about Ito were civil on
gnoers; tho rest were mechanics OF vari-
trades, employed to work on the railroad.
SO great the desire the part OF workingmen TO
20 out that Obliged to sol guard to prevent
men slowing themselves away, and tho day sailed
IL necessary TO uso violence to Keep back the
crowd OF unemployed who sought to on board in
the hope that they would be carried away Il. was on
January 2, 1878, that sailed from Philadelphia and
before reached Barbados short Of water and
coal II took seventeen days to reach Barbados,
owing to the bad sailing qualities OF tho SHIP and Il
twelve days from the latter port before
We sighted the lightship ut Para, although
tho sbipowners had guaranteed 10 land In Para
within eighteen days We scarcely In sight OF Bra
I'll when our troubles began. We lost an anchor near
tho Amazon lightship, but getting pilot next day
reached Para all right Here took pilots
board for tho Amazon and the other FOR the Ma.
deira rivors, but through their bundering, and tho
florence OF the captain got aground small
island a little way above Para After while got
or but owing TO the laundering Of the pilots and The
inierferencs OF the captain similar accidents became
frequent, aud II seemed as though should
reach our destination Under these circumstances
a brother oil Alabama Seames, took the steam lnuncb
aud with two sailors started up the Amazon River on
their hook The remainder OF the passengers
became very Disseminated and alter we had got
aground several times the civil engineers came
TO the conclusion that they would charter
one OF the river steamers, because they
became convinced that tho Mercodna would
not reach her destination. An agreement was madc
with steamer TO convey the passengers to san
Antonio, near the fall OF the Madeira, on condition
thai each passenger would ply the sum OF $l00 Tho
civil engineers then lett With about twenty eight OF
the mechanics THIS party arrived ut their dest'na-
ton within fifteen days, while the passengers who
tor over two months, owing 10 tho frequency with
when she got aground. When shc did arrive she was
of coal aud provisions and the passengers we're
obliged TO cut wood to enable her TO make her way
back TO Para. Her frequent stopping along tho un.
healthy banks Of tho Amazon led to tho outbreak Of
fever among her passengers, who arrived In very
bad state.
HARD UP.
Owing TO the want OF provision the passengers
their arrival found themselves without supplies and
were compelled TO I'VE on mash, bread aud saIt
had, aud, result, there was great deal OF dis-
content among the men. Fortunately, ono oil the
regular Amazon River boats camo up, and IRON II
were obtained some i've beet, which kcp,
us from starvation, but did not prevent
considerable suffering The same waut vi
forethought was shown ~ preparing shelter.
IL was the middle OF the rainy season whom We ar
rived and the heat was most oppressive. There was
very little shelter except what was Afforded by tho
aban doned buildings OF tho English company, and
these were In a very bad state To ado 10 suffer
ing were attacked by immense swarms oi gray
ants which nearly alto US up. 1t was impossible TO
keep them on ana their bitos nearly drove tho men
mad. TAX OF mosquocsl They are nothing A
man can 1.-Two with mosquitoes, but no man can
stand those terrible gray ants, which cut u
man up Some Of the victims looked as
II they we're suffering from the smallpox.
In order protect one's sell " was necessary 10 tar
the poles and ropes whore the hammocks were swung
to prevent them climbing ana attacking she men
while asleep. Then there the vampire bats.
These come in the night and settle on sleeping man
ana suck Ills life out. Wine was there saw six
men lett sonselcss from loss OF blood, owing
TO an attack OF these vampires while the
men were asleep Tho forests also are iul OF tigers,
and The men obliged TO carry a revover anu a
knife to protect themselves When the WORK OF cut
ting down the brusbwood began new enemy was
encountered IN the scorpions, who made tho work
worry dangerous.
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