The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-08
TRIP THROUGH THE EVERGLADES.
An Interesting Experience in the I'm
known Regions of Florida


known Regions of Florida.
st. Augustine. Feb Lieut.. Hugh L.
Willougbby. Of the Rhode Island Naval
Reserves, and a we'll known yachtsman
and winter resident of st. Augustine, hav-
ing completed his canoe expedition into the
Everglades of Florida writes the follow
ing brief account Of the object of making
a scientific survey of the unknown parts
of the Everglades, collecting any objects
of interest to archaeology and natural his
tory to be donated by him to the University
of Pennsylvania, certain lines of research
having been directed by that institution.
Lieut. Willoughby started from Miami,
Dec. %, 1896, in a soop carrying his two
Rushton canoes, the "Hissee," and Goa
coachee." conveying his stores, instru-
ments, etc. The canoes were canvas COW
cred to afford protection from dampness.
and were built especially for rough treat
ment, as the explorer knew not where he
was really going, or what he would en-
counter, but as he started out determined
he had ample stores for his survey. After
being left by the sloop near the head of
Harvey river (Which had never before been
located correctlO, Lieut. Wiloughby in
the Hissee and his companion, a white
hunter, y. A. Brewer, in the Goa
coachee divided the outfit equally and
started Jan. 8. on the perilous trip. His ac-
count of the trip to the Morning News st.
Il used a bicycle front wheel with a
band of paddles. to record the distance
poled Plated every days work accurate
ly. Took several meridian attitudes, get
ting correct ATTITUDES and longitudes TO
correct the dead reckoning by. Distance
poled 175 miles. Route from Harvey river
In a general way was north well up 10
Mr. James e. Ingrahams line of his eX-
plorations, across the Everglades afrom
Fort Myers to the mouth of the Miami
river In 1892, between Big Cypress and the
Big Sawgrass. Then southeast-east across
the north end of Long Key, north, then
east to the head of the Miami, thence
TO Miami reaching there Jan. ~, 1897
Lieut.. Willoughby says that small allow
ance of food was necessary, as in the
heart of the Everglades no game could
be killed, but he didn't suffer want, as his
expedition was provided on scientific
basis, so much food to so much work,
by this precision he had two cigars over
the daily allowance on his return. Many
difficulties were overcome and he had to,
after polling only two miles, from a. m.
to D. M. with half hours rest for din
ner, return to the point started from.
Sundays were passed I'm repairing canoes
and painting, as the lieutenant Is quite
deft with brush and paints, doubtless
some pictures descriptive of his eXplora-
tons will accompany his reports. He
says a very interesting island was dis
covered in the center of the Everglades,
which has been an Indian camping ground
many hundreds of years IL is not more
than an acre in extent, but is the only
island with dry land on IL i'm a twenty
five mile circle He has named il Will
loughby Key" as he fully believes himself
10 be the first white man who has set foot
on it, He slept i'm dry clothes every night
and did all his wading In high rubber
boots, His health has been perfect,
Wiiloughby will complete the survey,
charts etc, performing the photographic
cal work of the southwest coast in the
interest of the United states naval war
college. Lieut.. Willoughby donates all the
expenses Of the expeditions.