The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-06-03

hGNaThablc uNdSC VI tue NuilpOdt W winning
ton-Ascended the Great River to Peru
Within 400 Miles of the Pacific Ocean and
1000 Miles Further Than Ever Before At
tempted.
The L. s. Navy Department has re
ceived from Commander Todd, OF the Viii
mington, an interesting account of the re
markable voyage of an exploration up the
Amazon river, made by that vessel in April
last. The Wilmington was instructed by
the Navy Department to push ON up the
great river and ascertain how far it was
navigable Captain Todd reported that he
assembled to Yquitos, in Peru, which is about
POO miles up the river This voyage was
made. as he says, against an adverse cur
rent averaging three knots for the entire
distance.
Manaos, at the junction of the Rio
Negro with the Amazon, has heretofore
been regarded as the head of navigation
for steam vessels. and from that fact has
grown to be a prosperous city of 10, 900
inhabitants. Consequently, the intention
of CAPTAIN Todd to ascend the river above
that point caused CONSERVATION, and, IN
the end. as revealed by subsequent reports
led to some adverse demonstrations against
the American Consul and against the native
pilots who assisted the Wilmington com
mander to make the voyage. Captain
Todd succeeded notwithstanding these oh
stacles in ascending the Amazon for 1000
miles above Manaos. and had it not been
for lack of fuel he could have steamed
about 300 miles further. he believes. As
it was. the Wilmington. which entered the
Amazon from the Atlantic Ocean, was
within about 400 miles of the Pacific and
well into Peru before she turned backward
down the river.
The possibilities Of the successful nayi-
CATION Of the vast aud hitherto unknown
interior of South America revealed by Cap
tain Todds VOYAGE will, 1t Is believed be
Of the greatest commercial importance. aud
the Navy Department probably viii take
steps to see that they are made known 20
the maritime world Unfortunately, Cap
tain Todd shows the great Amazon, Ike
the Mississippi. i 50 chau-eabie IN rs
channels a. not to permit Of successful
chartiug, 50 that expert pilots will always
be required
The Wilmington left Mauao~, in Brazil.
April ), for the upper riycr. and arrived
at Yquitos on the 18th Of April running
day and night stopping only twice. int to
procure fresh meat for the ship COMPANY.
and again to procure green food for the Inv
ing animals aboard, for the Wilmington Is
collecting geological specimens iar the Va
tioual Museum in Washington. The
greatest vigilance was required ~ the up
per river navigation, nvia- 81 the l"-s and
drift brought down BY the asui waters
aud the commander aud executive officer
took the night watches themselves It
wa >opn found that the existing charts
we've Of 20 value. whole Islands disappear
iug with the change IT a season. Not ls--
than seven fath1m~ of water was found 20
the way up from Nsnaos. The upper
river ran through q ;hickly populated caun-
,ry. the character af the people changing
from Portuguese and Brazilian Indians 20
Pcrurians aud Peruvian Indians.
Commander Todd prapr-e, to made a
trip az the great tributary. Rio Madeira,
before leaving the Amazon There have
been a few mild cases Of malaria among
the ships company, yielding rapidly 20
treatment.