The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-31
Peculiarities of the River AMI
Its Af1uents.
AN AMAZONIAN VILLAGE,
Serious Accident to the ENGINE
OF the Steamer.
PROGRAMME OF THE WORK
on Board g. S. STEAMER ENrERPRIsE,
AMAZON RIVER,
crn II


OSy SERPA. s. A., juno 10, ISIS }
As It was impcrativsy necessary. owing to the tail
OF the Madeira during the summer months, that the
Enterprise should sail without delay from the United
States, there no time 10 10 lost in waiting for
diplomatic Instructions II was understood by Com
mander selfrdge that these wore 10 BIO forwarded
from Washington to Norfolk before tho ship sailed;
but In case there any delay that they would be
sent by the now steamer BIO dc Janeiro which sailed
from New York tho 9th of juno. On tho arrival Of
the Enterprise a: Para Rio Janciro had already
made her stoppago at that port, but advices Tor
the expedition found In the mail This delay
In forwarding credentials bade fair to DO Of
trouble II not OF tho entire failure Of tho project
for this year. Fortunately, however tho President OF
the Province OF Para, who had tho power to
throw obstacles in the way, and who might have
sdered It his duty to refer tho matter TO the central
government at Rio, is mau Of liberal views and Of
strong sense. When the object OF the survey was
explained TO him he at recognised its impor-
lance aud only gave full permission for the ship
TO ascend the Amazon as lar as the mouth Of the
Madeira but also commended the survey to the good
otnces Of his corere the Governor OF the Province
OF Amazonas whose snbernatoral seat 10 at Manaos,
$50 miles from Para.
UP THE AMAZON.
This diplomatic difficulty being thus avsrted the
Enterprise, after having received His Exceliency on
board with salute OF twsnty-one guns and all the
honers due one of his exalted rank, proceeded on
the 30 OF Juno mako her way to Mauaos to obtain
the permission of President or Amazonas for The
ascent OF the MADEIRA that river lowing through ter
rt.ory under his Jurisdiction. Az . precautionary
measure two piloss we're engaged boiore starting.
These msn--one named Ignacio Martinez and the
other Antonio Gomez-protessed to DO thor
oughy acquainted with both rivers, and thus
far with few exceptions they have shown q
markable knowledge of the many dangerous points
OF the Amazon They, however, sse unaecustomed
to ship of this size and besitated frequently
when it has been atterward proven there was no
reason for tear. Tho Amazon, IT enters the
sea- embraces In Tvs mouth the huge island Of
Marsj6. This island contains moro than ten
thousand square miles Of territory and causes tho
river to make two deep channels around IT. Both Of
these are so far depth Of wafer concerned. psr
fec4ly navigable. That to the northwnrd Is named
after the town Of Maoapo, which stands its left
bank " Is the nearest route 70 the main Am.
ozou, but on account OF its hercc current
and the reported danger from shifting shoals
II is almost entirely unused Navigators prefer tho
more distant entrance by Salinas and Para.
| This route ~ tho southwark, although much more
intricate and winding. Is free from the disadvantage
of current and carefully navigatcd is safe for
even steamers OF largo size. Before the Enterprise
surveyed II all vessels went through ut risk. Hell
successful passage may, therefore, be considered as
original exploration, especially 80 as she could not
| proceed without taking those cautionary measures
which are always resorted by vessels entcring
known waters 1t this route which will be used by
the steamers plying between New York. Philadelphia
| and San Antonio, in the railway s completed
| around the falls Of the Madeira.
SURVEY CHANNEL.
Tho survey Of ths channel, although necessarily
slow on acceu mt OF the difficulties In tho way
trcmely Interesting Taking departure from Cuj,tuba
lighthouse the ship paused tho mouth OF the To
eantins large RIVER lowing from the south and wost
| This stream, the last great afuent Of the Amazon
cmptiss by an embouchure wide that It's expanse,
added tho distance to the island OF harao, ON thu
north, gives the impression OF beng Ia an opel
sea, above ths horizon OF which q mirage has liftct
the crown of distant forest. Alter having passet
| this bay the ship entered the first narrow canal
Before engaging this the flying jbbeom and the jib
boom were rugged In that there should be no dan
ger of fouing should she be required to make shor
| curves. Tas yards also bracsd In and the top
galantmasts housed the pilots thought It probao
that these high spars might collide with tho branches
OF tho trees. Alter passing IN safety this canal o
four hours there ample room for a feet u
| sail The course nov laid close TO Boa
vsra collccon OF Questioned houses, framed IN b,
the FOREST aud then, steamng on she corvette pass
ing between the pretty islands OF Arras aud 0y@,
tered the strait on which Breves, the cine
town tho island OF Marajo, is situated on Breves
as It necessary take stellar observations, I'M
ship at sunset was anchored
Ar ANCHOR THE STREAM.
This OPERATION although usually most simple one
| was not accomplished without dihcuIty, Tor the en-
gnes when called upon back failed TO respond, ant
the vessel went gracefully on until rhe plunged hs
| bowsIrit into tho dense forest and found restui
place on the interlaced roots OF tho water grasses
Fortunately this bed Q soit one, and IN few mo
| inents she swung to her anchors in Tho ssroam.
the night a squall, accompanied by vvit
| lightning and heavy tbunder dropped from Al
| almost clear sky upon the netghoorhood
| aud the vessel under Tho influence oil TN
| wind, swung again into the forest. THIS time tn
stern crashed way into the wooded bank, but, al
before, without injury, tor although tnere were Blu
one and half fatnoms Of water beneath the propcl
lcr stim the bed she rested was so yielding
that when the engines were turned she moved ahsa'
without accident These missdvsnturos proved ths
no danger can arrivo craft driven the banks o
these Gu nails either by wind current. The heav,
growth aquatic plants and the thick intsrlaoing
Tho Of tue form 10 thsss narrow chaunah
Oy Captain Eads for the deepening OF the pass OF tn
Nississtppi. irieuso may pWss thrOugh snes
NATURAL jstsiss Of The Amazon without tear, Tor IN
rush OF wster keeps The way clear. No bars no
shoals iorm and the road viii be deep so long
the foods st the river seek . course 70 she sea-
AN AnAzoSIAN VILLAGE 80
| Breves oonsists OF perhaps hall hundred one
stor,cd housea There Is also o church and prison
A.AA NJ Al