Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-04-14
cAFrl ROssOrs DfstOvERy.
a New Island III the Atlantic,
and on The Island Some
Curious Remains.
NeN Orleans pieayune.l

VI lIulI. hO says tudl NlCu dDUul
two hundred miles to the westward OF
! Madeira his attention was called to
| the singular appearance Of the sea.
The water had dark, muddy look,
and was covered with dead fish as far
as the eye could reach. They were
of several species, among them being
noticed mullet, cod and bass. Soon
after entering this sea of dead fish, he
observed faint smoke on the hori-
zen nearly ahead, on the course of the
vessel. Early next morning the Cap
tain was awakened by the second Off
Ger, and informed that land had been
sighted in the course of the
steamer. He was greatly sur
prised at this information, knowing
that there was no land in this part
of the Atlantic Upon going on deck,
however, be found that the report was
correct. The dim outline of an island
broken by mountain peaks, were visi-
bic even without the use of the glass.
Above it hung cloud of smoke. The
water was more turbid than on the
previous day, aud the shoal of dead
fish thicker. Captain Robson deemed
it advisable to take soundings, not,
however, expecting to get bottom, as
the charts show depth Of from 1000
to 5000 fathoms in that portion of the
Atlantic. For some time the sound
ing was without result, but suddenly
the line brought bottom at fifty
fathoms. When about four leagues
distant from the island the desmond
came to anchor IL seven iathoms Of
water. The island was located %
deg. 40 min. west, % deg. north. Capt.
Robson determined to make an exami
nation Of the strange land, and the
yawl was lowered and the Captain
and one Of his officers were rowed to
the island. A landing was effected on
the low coast of the western border,
where convenient harbor was found
for the yawl. The Captain and sew
eral of the crew, with some difficulty,
assembled the declivity.
The promontory seemed several
miles in length, and joined an exten-
sive tableau, which sloped gently back
to chain of mountains at a great
distance of. from which rose light
columns Of smoke. The surface of the
ground was covered with pumice-
stone and volcanic debris, and entirely
destitute of vegetation. 1t was DESC
late scene. where not single living
thiSg was to be perceived. The Cap.
tain and his companions started on
tour inland, but soon found their
progress impeded by yswning chasms.
1t twas, therefore, determined to re
turn to the beach and inspect the
island from that side. While exam
lining the base of the cliff where the
rock was fractured and twisted as if
BY some tremendous convulsion, and
disclosed bed Of breccia, surprising
discovery was made by one the sailors.
On thrusting the prong Of a boat. hook
into the loOsened mass of gravel, he
dislodged a stone arrow-l cad. Excited
by this incident, the search was con-
tinued, and other articles of stone
we're discovered. A large excavation
was made, and it was ascsrtained that
opening lead between the crumbling
remains of what must have heen mas
sive walls. A number Of articles were
exhumed, such as bronze swords,
rings, hammers, carvings of heads and
figures OF birds and animals, and two
vases of jars and fragments of bone,
and one Uranium almost entire. The
most singular thing brought to view
was what appeared to be a mummy,
contained in a stone case. 1t was so
incrusted with volcanic deposits as to
be scarcely distinguished from the
rock itself. Much difficulty was OK.
perienced in dislodging the sarco
phagus, which was finally taken out
whole and, with the fossils, trans
ported to the steamer.
Captain Robson would have con
tinued this investigation, but as the
aspect Of the weather became less
favorable, and he could not afford TO
spend more time at the island, he
called for this port. He considers
that the new island was raised from
the sea by volcanic action, and that
the fish we're killed by the poisonous
gases from the volcano The captain
thinks that the new land is a |
section Of the immense range known
to exist in the Atlantic, and OF
which the Azores aud Canaries are
part. He took pleasure in exhibiting |
the fossils and curious articles oil
which he was the fortunate finder |
The carved heads are in the Egyp
tian style Of sculpturing, being dis
tinguished by the veil or hood which |
characterizes Egyptian figures. The
urns and vases are spherical with large
mouths, and upon them may be dis
cerned inscriptions in hieroglyphics
The edges OF the axes and arrow or
spear heads are blunted and Jagged.
The sword is a straight weapon OF
bronze, with cross hilt.
That is mummy" remarked she
Captain, pointing to what the reporter
had taken to be long block or stone.
Scrutinizing closely the lidIess case,
the outlines Of q human figure could
DO traced through the coating Of
scorie and pumice. 1t will require
careful handling to remove the coat
ing. Captain Robson proposes to
present The relics TO the British
museum at London upon his return
to Liverpool.
The ate Marshal Wharton.
EDITOR LEDGER:-There is no one