The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-25
THE LOG OF THE NERO
RECORD OF A VOYAGE OF THIRTY
THOUSAND KNOTS.
Most Complete Survey of n Cable
Route Ever Made-Wonderful
Depths and Temperatures.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-Admiral Brad
ford. chief of the Equipment Bureau. has
received the report of Commander Hodges.
of the Nero. on the survey by that vessel
of the Pacific ocean to find practicable
route for submarine cable from Califor-
MIA to Honolulu. Guam, Midway island, Luz
ION and Yokohama. The officer reports that
this survey developed a route for the cable
eminently satisfactory and thoroughly
practicable. His report, in BRIEF shows
that he sailed from Manila on the Nero
Aug. Is for Dingala bay. on the east coast
of Luzon, which had been selected as the
best landing for Pacific cable. A run was
made from this point to Guam, which por-
ton of the line had already been outlined.
Sept. the Nero sailed from Guam for
Yokohama. The beach appeared to be ia
vorable for landing on japanese soil near
the northeast corner of Sagami Kai. Lying
off Yokohama the Nero experienced a per-
feet type Of the fast travelling typhoon.
Starting Oct. 10 the ship returned to Guam.
verifying the old route as she ran. Tara
fofo was found to be the best place to land
the cable on the island, though the condi-
lions are not perfect. Otherwise the cable
on the southern side of the harbor of San
Luis D'Apra.
After making some soundings around the
island Captain Hodges tried to find a
southern route to connect with the direct
line to Midway. but he struck what he calls
the Nero deep and was convinced that 1t
could not be got around with a cable. Here
says Captain Hodges, the two deepest
cac eft
ever taken were recorded The depths are
$50 fathoms and 5.26S fathoms. and the
temperatures are 35.9 at 500 fathoms and
SO at 5,101 fathoms.
The Nero went back to Tarafofo and be-
gan to develop the direct route to Midway.
which was reached Jan. 3. No stop was
made, because Commander Belknap had
already made an examination of the island.
A light frame building standing in the mid
die Of the north side of Sand island, ap-
parently built some years ago, showed that
the elements do not treat the island very
severely. There are no inhabitants; no
food except an abundance of fish and sea
birds, whose eggs could be utilized. An
evaporation is recommended TO supply
drinking water. In time some vegetables
could be raised. On the whole, Sand island
is regarded as a practicable site. The ira
verse was continued from Midway to Wal
mea bay, Oahu island. of the Hawaiian
group This was a fine sand beach and
good landing station.
Commander Hodges reports that the cur
rents of the Pacific are very variable and
cratic and subject to a tidal influence, es-
pecially in the vicinity of reefs and islands,
so that very careful navigation is neces-
sary especially from the Hawaiian islands
to Midway. A strong current of one to
two knots an hour, setting with the wind,
frequently changes to nothing In light
weather in single day. From the date Of
sailing from San Francisco, April %, 1899.
to the date of return, Feb. IL. 1900, the ship
steamed %, 2S3 knots, and the commander
oa1,I 70 Gu
extensively and thoroughly surveyed and
developed.
The officers and crew are commended,
and especially Lieutenant j. Hood. APP
pended to the report As a special report by
Assistant Surgeon Frank Mccullough upon
the physical features of Midway island. in
which reference is made to several wrecks
and to the death on the island OF portion
of the crew Of one of the castaway vessels.
The sand is said to have been literally COW
cred with sea birds and their eggs.