Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-26
CRUISE OF THE NERO
Looking for a Practicable Route for
PACIFIC Gable.
WHERE STATIONS MIGHT Be PLACED
Dr.. McculIogh Describes the Mid
way Islands.
PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE

Admiral Bradford, chief of the equipment
bureau, has received the report Of Com
mander Hodges of the Nero upon the sur
Vey made by that vessel of the Pacific
ocean to find practicable route for a sub
marine cable from California to Honolulu,
Guam, Midway Island, Luzon and Yoko-
hama The officer reports that his 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 August 10 for
D1ngala bay, on the east coast Of Luzon.
which had been selected as the best landing
for Pacific cable. incidentally, 1t is men
toned that there was fire in the ships coal
ounkers when she sailed, but that fact was
not allowed to delay operations. A run was
made from this point to Guam, which por-
ton of the line had already been outlined.
September the Nero sailed from Guam
for Yokohama. No obstruction was met
with, which led Commander Hodges to
tnlnk the route was not satisfactory. The
beach appeared to be favorable for landing
on Japanese soil near the northeast corner
OF sagami kai. Lying off Yokohama the
Nero experienced a perfect type of fast
travelling typhoon. Starting October 10 the
ship returned to Guam, verifying the old
route as she ran. Tarafofo was found to be
the pest place to land the cable on the is
land, though the conditions are not perfect.
OtherW1se the cable would have to be taken
around and landed on the southern side Of
the harbor of San Louis d'Apra. The Off
GERS OF the station ship, who are now sur
Ney1ng. may discover better place. After
making some soundings around the island
capt. Hodges tried to find southern route
TO connect with the direct line to Midway,
but he struck what he calls the Nero Deep
ana was convinced that 1t could not be got
ten around with a cable
Here. says Capt. Hodges, the two deepest
casts and the two deepest temperatures
6.180 fathoms and 5.2es fathoms, and the
temperatures are 35.9 at 500 fathorns and
SO at 5,101 fathoms.
30 the Nero went back to Tarafofo and
began to develop the direct route to Mid
way, Which was reached January g. No
stop was made, because Commander Belk-
nap had already made an examination of
the island. A light frame building standing
in the middle of the north side Of Sand Is.
land, apparently built some years ago.
showed that the elements do not treat the
Island very severely. and it could certainly
accommodate a sufficient plant for a relay
station. There are no Inhabitants; no food
except an abundance of fish and some sea
birds and eggs could be utilized, and an
eVaporator is recommended to supply drink
ing water. In time some vegetables could
be raised. On the whole, Sand Island is re-
garded as a practicable site
Inc traverse was continued from Midway
10 W almea bay, Oahu Island, Of the Ha-
VWai1an group. This appeared to be the best
lee on the island, with a fine sand beach
ana good landing station.
ErratIc Pacific Currents.
Commander Hodges reports that the cur
rents OF the Pacific are very variable and
erratic and subject to a tidal influence.
especially in the vicinity of reefs and is
lands, so that very careful navigation is
necessary, especially from the Hawaiian Is
lands to Midway. A strong current of one
to two knots an hour setting with the
WlnQ, frequently ~
hsht weather in single day. The report
sets out a good deal of information as to
these currents in certain specified portions
of the Pacific which will doubtless be of
value to navigators, and especially those
bound for the east coast Of Luzon.
FROM the date of sailing from San Fran
CISCO, April z, 1899, to the date of return,
February II, 1900, the ship steamed 20 ,2SS
knots, and Commander Hodges declares
that cable route was never so extensively
and thoroughly surveyed and developed
Inc personnel had trying, tedious time,
and their stomachs were much tried by the
spelling of the provisions, owing to the eli
mate, soon after leaving Guam The off,
GERS and crew are commended, and espe-
cfaily Lieut.. J. Hood.
The Midway Islands.
Commander Hodges report includes one
from Assistant Surgeon Mccullough, in re-
gard to Midway Islands, in which he saws:
1.-THE larger Of the two islands which
SoHHpiise inc group IS known as Sand Is
land. 1t is an irregularIy pyriform atoll,
entirely surrounded by barrier reef COM
plete except at two points, both Of which
are sufficiently wide to permit approach to
the sand beach. 1t is about two and
one-half miles long, and varies from
one-half to two and one-half miles
IN breadth, it's widest part pointing to
the southwest. Between the barrier and
the beach Is a lagoon which fairly sur
rounds all the island bordering on the
ocean and is fully mile and half wide at
its greatest breadth. Within it great
masses of coral project above the surface
at various points. The varieties of coral
which have entered into the formation of
the island, and which still exist in the la
COON, are meandriniform and perforate
madrepores, millipores and seriatopores no.
tably the MadrepOra cervicorni is Madre-
pora perifera. Practically all the coral on the
island has undergone thorough disintegra-
ton, existing now as a sand of medium
coarseness and SO bleached as to be ex-
tremely trying to the eyes. 1t reflects the
heat OF the sun and scorches the face.
In the central and eastern portions of
the island extensive calcareous incrusta-
lions cover the surface forming a stratum