Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21
DOWN THE COLORADO.
The Exploits of n Recent Government
Engineering Trip.

Engineering Trip.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.
Second Lieutenant NJ. f. Smith of the
fourth cavalry, who accompanied First
Lieutenant G. L. Potter of the engineers
in his late expedition down the Colorado
river, is busily engaged on his official re-
port of the undertaking.
Speaking of their adventures, Lieut.
Davis said: Some time near the list Of Oc-
tober Lieut.. Potter received orders to pro-
coed to investigate the possibilities Of the
Colorado river for navigation purposes
from the mouth of the Virgin river to
Yuma. The understanding was that he
was to proceed to the Needles, and from
there be towed up the river, distance of
$50 miles, by Indians
ION the 10th of October we started. 1
having been detailed to accompany him.
Upon our arrival at the Needles we learned
that 1t would be slow, tedious trip from
there to the Colorado We began search
ing for other available means for reaching
cur destination, and result We decided
to make Peach Springs our starting point
From Peach Springs we would have to con-
vey our outfit overland, a distance of only
twenty-five miles. We would then be in the
Colorado canyon, but 100 miles above the
point from which We We're directed to COM
mence our investigations.
known quantity. We could ascertain al
most nothing about it from the residents
OF Peach Springs. Only two parties had
ever succeeded in passing through it. The
hrst. of these was under the command of
Major Powell. He made a trip at a season
of the year when the water was more IA
Vorable than when we started, but still not
without the loss of two of his boats. Three
of his men deserted en- route, declaring it
was practically suicide to continue. This
expedition was accomplished in 1869.
The residents of Peach Springs declared
Stanton had said there were very bad rapids
right at the start of our Journey, and the
next bad ones were seyenty-fve miles fur
Their on. We thought II there We're only
two dangerous places we could risk it.; and,
providing 200 feet of bowline and an equal
length OF stern line with which to work
through the swift waters, we started out.
With considerable difficulty we got through
the first rapids. In order to do this we had
to send the men up on cliffs 100 feet high,
from which, by the aid of the lines, they
would 'snub' the boat around the lodges of
the cabin walls. We breathed easier when
we passed this place, and prepared for
seventy-fve miles of comparative ease. Our
comfort was fleeing, for half a mile fur
tfer the river was nothing but a seethng,
boiling mass of foam. 1t was a desperate
situation. Before us seemed almost certain
destruction, and turning hack was mpos-
sskle. There was nothing to do but to risk
1t. and, plunging, tumbling and whirling.
We went safely through. That whole day
was one of danger and veXation. We pro-
ceeded just six and a half miles before
nightfall. and in that distance we shot fif-
teen rapids.
lat the end of the second day we had
made between four and five miles progress.
The third day we struck a stretch of quiet
water. For four or five miles We found
only two rapids, which we shot. Then we
came to rapid No. 81 was recording them
for map purposes.
Here on both sides lowered the steep,
black walls 1000 feet high. Between these
Ur.110 ,ila thrra tl,,,,
angry, Kissing foam. We examined first
one side and then the other for lodges
along which we might climb and draw the
boat 1t was useless. and to attempt to
run that frightful place would have been
madness. 1t was at this point that Major
Powells men abandoned him. We searched
for the trail by which they escaped from
the prison-like Enclosure, but in vain. In
cur explorations 1 had sprained my ankle,
and we We're compelled to stay over cou-
pie of days UNTIL l could walk.
AT last we determined to take desperate
chances Taking all our provisions and
outfit from the boat. We prepared TO at
tempt to follow a faint bighorn trail for a
few miles. Lieut.. Potter and the rest of
the party went on ahead, while I stayed
With the boat. The plan was to turn the
boat loose and let it shoot the rapids
empty and unguided. Lieut.. Potter and his
party would attempt to catch 1t as it went
by.
Il waited half day. and in that time
the lieutenant had reached the river three
miles further on. Then 1 turned the boat
loose. and in ten minutes it shot by them
like racshorse. That left us but one al
ternative-to follow the bighorn trail.
1.-The lower portion of these cliffs is
natural granite. Above, about 1000 feet, it
is red sandstone. The latter being softer,
has been worn away by the action of the
water SO as to form a sort of shelf. Along
this we hoped to be able to make our way.
Taking provisions, a blanket each and
cur firearms, we started on this perilouS
journey. Sometimes our path was 100 feet
wide, sometimes for 100 feet we had scarce
ly six inches to cling to. In the latter stu
alton our sensations We're horrible. Over
1000 feet below us yawned the black chasm;
beneath US the rock was treacherous and
slippery. 1t was always level always the
same dizzy height from the white, brawling
stream below.
For twenty-five miles we followed this
dangerous trail. Then, with feelings of joy,
we emerged upon the Hualapais desert
We were three days in crossing this We
had plenty OF water and provision, but the
mems shoes had given out, and they suf-
fered greatly from the hot sand and the
cacti. On the third day we reached the
Union Pacific railroad and were taken up.
1--WE then proceeded to the Needles, and
completed the trip originally contem-
plated without accident. We found the
river could not be navigated advantageous
ly by any vessel drawing more than two
or three feet of water without the expendi-
tire OF an immense sum of money"