The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-04
A FINE PART OF AFRICA.
II Has Gold and Conl, and Mr.. Rankin Says
White Immisrnnts Cnn Live There.

Several years ago Mr.. Daniel'J. Rankin had
tho good fortune to discover the Chinde mouth
OF the Xambesi River All explorers had said
the usefulness of the Zamhesi for commerce
was nearly destroyed by the fact that
sci could get into 1t from tho sea. and that
navigation did not begin until the river had
been assembled for thirty miles, Mr.. Rankin.
while exploring the delta. discovered that in
the tangle OF waterways a branch known as
the Chinde was deep enough to admit light
draught ocean vessels. and that when river
steamers were introduced they could descend
to the sea and take their cargoes directly
from ocean vessels. 1t was a most inter-
esting and valuable discovery and tho effect
OF it is already seen: for there are now quite
number OF steamers on the Zambesi. littlo
towns are springing UP on the river banks. and
commercial enterprise is augmenting. While
the Xambesi is the fourth largest river in
Africa 1t has never before been utilized for
steam navigation. Hereafter it promises to
bs one Of tho most useful water highways in
the Dark Continent
plorntiors along the Iambesi and its great
northern tributary. the LoanGwa. He says the
navigation OF the Hambesi is entirely unim-
pedad from the sea to tho Acabubassa Falls
over 300 miles from the mouth. and that after
Il. porta OF about thirty 1--WE miles along tho
CATION on the Xambesi and its large northern
tributary. the l.oangwa.
The most important discoveries that have
been made since l.iy inEstonss day in this re-
gon are the mineral deposits along the mid
die Xambeai and in the Loangwa basin. Mr.
Rankin says there Is an extensive an d valua-
bio region of coal formation along the north
bank ol ;hs Iamhes covering an area Of ur-
ward OF 800 square miles. This coal belt OK
tends both below and above the Portuguese
post nj Trtc. The coal is so near tho river that
the region may be very probably developed.
The deposits are within two orthrcc hours OF
the waterway. The steamers now plying on
the river offer good and ready market for
ried 10 tho coast steamers at the Chnde
mouth. Mr.; l.apierre has made a. scientific
report on the value of this coal. He says It
will be perfectly suitable for tho use OF steam
boat craft and for heating tubular boilers.
Tho I4Oangwa can BIO assembled by steamers
for nearly 300 miles north OF the Lambesi,
and beyond the point of steam navigation a
to afford regions further inland cheap and
rapid communication wit tn the sea.
MIR. lAnkin has travelled extensively in the
large district known as the Makanga country,
southwest OF Lake Nyassa. and he brings
home remarkable reports. He says tho
elevation Of the. country, is from 1000
to 5000 feet. 1t Is entirely free from mo-
were very few eases OF malarinl sickness. The
country is one Of the richest and most health
full districts IN the Lambesi basin. Aluvial
gold WAS found In nearly all the streams. ii"
regards this country AS entirely fitted for
white immigration. He asserts that the dis
trlct's mineral wealth. its suitability for OK
tensiye agriculture. the fricndliness and in
elevation OF the land. max the region most
suitnhla for white enterprise,