New-York tribune., 1891-04-30
A LIVELY JOURNEY TO GREYTOWM
EX-CoNGRESsMAN MERRIAM TELLS OF THE
EXPERIENCES Of EX-SENATOR
MIIIER'S PARTY.

ExCongressman Clinton L. Merriam, who was one
of those who went with ex-senator Warner Miller 10
Cireytown Nicaragua, and who was wrecked on
Ron KadOr reef in the Caribbean Sea, returned 10 New
York Yesterday He tells an interesting story OF MS
expeences which he described as one of the greatest
picnicsr he ever had although he has been constant
traveller for over quarter OF a century "When inc
Acuan struck on the reef" said Mr.. Merriam, we
were scarcely aware of It, she went on so gently Ihe
captain tried to back OFF, but the vessel wouiu Hot
move The vessel not very stancn, ana uie
pounding on the coral reef soon made hoie Ill Her'
The ceef Is in place where the currents are constantly
changing and there are evidences Of numerous wrecks
around. one vessel with 800 people was lost there
some wears ago. That will give you an idea OF the
doncer Of sailing In those waters. | guess the cap
toi ,ras aslaeu when the vessel struck 1t was about
. O'Clock in the morning came on DECK puu WIZ"
sow that we were fast the reef went back 10 my
bunk. c..,u
"The next morning some OF the party, Cap'a"
Watrous. who is an old whaler; w. b. simmons Johh
F. Spear and Mr.. Rapalye helped to get out the poa'
and with the crew worked to get the people ashore
rbcv All Iabored hard and in short time we were made
comfortable on the reef. The first mate and some oi
the crew went off in a boat to get help we rlgeed
nm tents for the four in the party ana aier"aru
mt them in some small huts that we found' "hlch
had been erected by turtehunterS who come regularly
to the reef. ,o., =,
"(aDtaln
fontry T. S. A. did good work in handing the CarDs
lie had some experience with the Indians on the plains
and knew lust what to do with those black fellows
The men slept in the tents with the sand Tor bed
II was very amusing 10 the small crabs there
Tbev stow themselves away in empty shells, thus being
covered as with an umbrella, and they crawl over you
as lively as sand bugs at COney Island. We had the
nishop OF Honduras with and oolored minister
The coored preacher said the Bishop as the people
cre eing transferred to the reef Had we not better
prav1 This is not the time to pray this is the time
10 work. replied the Bishop and he helped as much a;
any one There were this island probably 10,00C
boobies peculiar white bird which always faces
the trade winds that blow there.
We remained the reef five days and
then we were taken TO Geytown. We had
plenty TO eat and 10 drink-abOut 1000 bottles
Of apolllnars, besides Jamaica pop and something
stronger were disposed Of 1t OF the pleas
ATTEST plcnics ! ever had. We had several sheep on
board and after the wreck We used to Joke about
turning them out to feed the grass on the bottom
of the old steamship III was very pIeaSdnJ dI NIeS
town. a., ia, .-
The dredges used at Panama were purchased for an
enormous sum OF money. The cost OF transporting
them 10 GreytOwn alone cost 100000 and the work
e. going on night and day with the regularity OF
eteam engine. The workmcn healthy and there Is
yerv little sickness among the people there The
boenitaI was empty when there. | have every
confidence in the success OF the work."