The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-26

Assistant Surgeon Frank E. McCullogh
has sent to the Secretary Of the Navy an
interesting account of a recent visit
made to the Midway Islands, on
the collier Nero, which was used
in surveying a route for the pro
posed cable between San Francisco and the
Philippines. As the name indicates the
islands lie midway in the Pacific Ocean be
tween this country and the Far East 1t is
the intention of the Navy Department to
establish cable station on the islands. it
being necessary to have a station between
Honolulu and the Philippines The report
SAYS:
The larger Of the two islands which
comprise the group is known as sand ISL
and Il is an irregularly pyrform ateli,
entirely surrounded By a barrier reef. com
plete except at two points both of which
are sufficiently wide 20 permit approach
to the sand beach Il is about Two and
one-half miles long, and varies from one
half to two and Ons-half miles in breadth.
its widest part pointing 10 the southwest.
Between the barrier and the beach is a
lagoon. which fairly surrounds all the isl
and bordering on the ocean. and fully
mile and a half wide at its greatest
breadth. Within il great masses Of coral
project above the surface al various points
Practically all the coral on the island
has undergone thorough dlslntegration,
existing now as a sand Of medium coarse
ness and so bleached as TO Be extr, Q aly
trying to the eyes. 1t reflects the heat OF
the sun and scorches the face. The high
est portion OF the island is about thirty
feet above sea level of a rolling character
and interspersed with many small dunes.
No fresh water is to be seen on the sur
face but by digging about four feet it may
be obtained
vegetable Life scanty.
Vegetable life is extremely scanty. with
the exception Of a hardy shrub varying
from three to hve-feet in height This is
well distributed over the island. generally
occurring in groups of dozen or more
and attaining its greatest height on the
higher portions Of the sand dunes Besides
this. there is a scrub grass and species
Of turnip; the Japanese daikon are sparsely
distributed.
''On the highest portion OF the island
(the northern. and not more than thirty
yards from the beach. a one-r0om house
was constructed many years ago by the
Pacific Maj Steamship Company, at a time
when they intended using the island as a
coaling station.
"A piacsrd within announces that the +
writer thereof the commander OF a
schooner had been wrecked on the island
in September. 1888 and had remained there
until February. 1880. that during that time
be had buried four of his crew. He also
stated that by digging four feet al an in
Dictated point water and good water
too. could be obtained.
The number Of sea birds on this island
is infinite. Our visi; was made during the
nesting season and over fully half the ISL
and the sand was literally covered with
sea birds. Il was quite impossible 10 cross
II without stepping on the nesting birds
and their eggs unless preoauton was
taken 10 drive them away by means OF a
shrub branch. The noise Of the retreating
birds as they lowered overhead. screech-
Ing and darling ihresteningly was deaf
ening. The most numerous of these birds
are the Pacific albatross, a species OF the
sula,. commonly known as the BOBBY. the
hos n or red-billed tropic bird and the
frigaie or man of-war bird. A few land
birds. apparently plover and the sickle
billed Curlew. were occasionally seen. or
these birds the tern, plover, and curlew
are Of economic value as food
Valuable Food Fish.
In the lagoon and in the shallow wa
tiers on the eastern side OF the island are
great numbers and varieties Of valuable
food fsh, including the cod, mullet. perch
mackerel, and several species Of brilliant
colored- coryphenidae sometimes known
as dolphin fish, are Of rare green blue,
red, and brown tints. Several echinoderms
are found in the shallowest waters and
they include the edible be-de-mer A
great number OF univalves and a few edi-
bic bivalves among which is a cookie are
found near the lagoon There is no evil
dence of land animals. During our an
chorage rear the island MAY %, 1890 the
temperature Of the air ranged from s. to
69 r., and that OF the surface Of the water
about u r.
The relative humidity was very high.
ranging from IS 10 saturation. The rain
tall is probably large and more than suf-
hcieDt 10 nourish vegetation I can see
nothing on the island which would likely
give rise TO disease.
As we sounded around the island on or
return, January 3, 1900 the temperature
Of the air Vas from So to s. Fahrenheit.
md that Of the surface water 66. The at
nosphere was comparatively dry.
The only building material available is
he coral sand from which lime and brick
may he made. The shrubs are not SUI
ieiently woody 70 answer as fuel
Eastern Island Is apparently much more /
luxurious In vegetation and would prob
ihly repay careful investigation"