The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-10-07
THE ALERI'S LONG CRUISE.
CHARTS OF THE WORLD TO BE ovERHAULEp-
FOUR YEARS FROM HOME.

CHARTS OF THE WORLD TO BE OvERHAULED-
FOUR YEARS FROM HOME.
From the London Morning Post, Sept 20
the Alert, screw sloop, which lott Portsmouth on
September "a, Is bound upon an expedition of consd
cradle geographical and commercial importance. Sir
George Mares goes out In hrs old ship, upon which
something like f20, O00 has been expended in repairs
and rehttips since her return from her last famous
voyage. While 90 hands all told formed her last COM
plement, II officers and liz
board. Tho Alert forms the fourth ship
engaged upon this class OF work.
Commander Pelham is IN japanese waters
with the Sylvia; on tho coast OF China Is tho
Nassau, under the command OF Captain r. II. Napier,
assisted by Lieutenant Plrie; while the Fawn, Com
mander Wharton, is at present on tho east OF
Africa. On the 2Otn OF last month Sir George Mares
recommlssioned the Alert at Sheerness, and has
proceeded on exploring ana surveying work In MaQel-
Ian Straits and the South Pacific. The duration OF
the present voyage has been fixed at two years. but
whom the oaure OF the work is taken into 1t
Is not at all probable that the tight litlo craft will
reach home at tho end Of double that period.
Due precautions have been taken with regard
TO baromelrical Influences, but tho de-
scripion Of extra clothing anu muller bedding
used on the Arctic expeditiou viii not now be re
dered necessary, for although the Alert will have 10
pass great deal oil mc IN bostersus regions, and at
other times will be employed on the borders OF the
tropics yet no such weather as was experienced
her Arctic commission viii be possible. Her III
structons from the II, biographical AMI Medical de-
partments have been most complete Great care has
been exercised in the selection OF officers who have
accompanied Sir George, oil OF thcm being not only
experienced and skilled In their profession but taking
personal inter-st IN tho work on which they to
be engaged. Only tour OF his old hands will accom-
stone. VINO was in the Challenger and was conspicu-
Gus tor his great pluck In many hazardous adven-
lures.
THE ROUTE TO BE FOLLOWED.
The Alert VIII call first at Madeira, and then pro-
coed direct to Montevdeo, where her work will com.
mence. Additional stores will be forwarded to her
At Cape Horn In the spring OF next year. From Mon
tevideo she will proceed TO the Straits OF Magellan,
where from twelve TO eighteen months, probably
two years., work is before her. These straits have
never yet been fully surveyed, Captain Maynce,
SIDE, going no further than TO about Port
Famine, or touching at lew points here and
Before quitting these waters will require 10 be exc
cuted the trianguation from Cape Forward, the
southern portion Of the American mainland. TO Cape
Pillar, the east coast oil Van Diemcn's Land, and
survey OF the channel to the north. very mpo
branch OF the work VIII be the survey oil the
Gus islands on tue Pacific sldc OF the Straits, therc
exists dangerous spot In Smytn's Channel called
English Narrows. IL Is between Wellington Island
aud the mainland, and in consequence OF the exact
nature OF the danger being either sufficiently IN
derstood not clearly marked, steamers witch used
now enter from tho G u OF Trinidad, two ana a half
degrees to the southwark. These channels and is
lands Will be all explored and surveyed, and. with
some outlying islands, will have their positions prop
erIy charteu.
INTO THE PACIFIC
The Straits Of Magellan and coasts OF Patagonia
having been thoroughly sounded, surveyed and ex-
plored, Sir George Mares work will begin in the
South Pacific, AMI the rough, bosterous climate OF
The Magellan Straits will DO changed Tor one more
suited to British blood HIS energ will DO EN-.
ploycd Tor the most part on several isolated ISLANDS
which have never had their topography fixed and
with which the low Pacific Archipelago Is generally
credited with being studied In fac tnis arch pelago
is SAID to comprise immense numoer OF coral reefs
and isets situated 10 The eastward oil the society
Islands and stretching from l35 to lI9 degrees
survcyins Will commence al Minerva Reef IN 1876 deg.
80 min., and will 90 on until tie whole neigh
borhuod Is surveyed. The changes In the depth Of
the sea, caused by volcanic agency, toward the Fus
VIII also require cxPorng, ana tue hard work oil tho
expedition will come TO "a practical termination there
The Alert will then 10 on to sydney 10 reht and
should everything proceed prosperously she cannot
arrive there In less than two years Alter reGtting
she will proceed through Torres Straits to The west
coast OF Australia, and soundngs will have 10 be OBJ
tainedin Geography Bay, which can scarcely ne con-
Guided IN less than three years from the present
time, even should there be no delays OF any Kind
seeing that the survey will extend us far south
King Georges Sound, which Is OF the principal
settlements In Western Australia