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Headley, J. T. / Isaac C. Strain : Darien Exploring Expedition Under Command Of Lieut. Isaac C. Strain, Complete in Three Parts

Harper & Brothers, NY, 1855

8vo. 62pp extract, printed in double columns, illustrated with 21 characteristic Harper's engravings, including a map of the route, 3 internal pages were damaged and are here presented in reproduction, salvaged from a damaged issue of Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume X, Nos. 58 - 60, March / April / May, 1855. The ill-fated U. S. Navy expedition to scout a possible canal route across the Isthmus of Darien. Strain and his party of 27 wandered circuitously, split into two parties, and were plagued by deteriorating equipment, unreliable native guides, malnourishment, flesh-embedding parasites, and infectious tropical diseases. Six of the 27 died by starvation. This item includes Strain's account of the full party, along with the account of Mr. Kettlewell, who was among the party of Midshipman Truxton after Strain and several others broke off from the main party, and also Strain's narrative of the break-off party. Illustrations include a camp scene, the council, the canyon, huts on fire, fording the river, a cocoa grove, fishing, building a raft, Lombard and Parks at prayer, the burial scene of Holmes, Holmes' grave, arrival at Yavisa, a view of Pine Mountain, the funeral of Parks, Strain's last argument, a scene of the rescue, and the ship bound for Panama. Housed in protective mylar report cover. From Headley's foreword, "Having from the first become deeply interested in the Darien Exploring Expedition, and afterward doubly so in the fate of Lieutenant Strain, I was very anxious to know its history. Subsequent acquaintance with Lieutenant Strain, ripening into a warm friendship, enabled me to gratify this desire. With that grew the wish to make the facts public. At my request, therefore, Lieutenant Strain gave to me his private report to the Secretary of the Navy, whose permission to use it was cheerfully granted, also the journals kept by both parties, together with the book of sketches made by the draughtsman. Interesting interviews with Lieutenant Maury and civil engineer Mr. Avery, have enabled me to add many details not incorporated either in the report or the journals." Housed in protective mylar report cover. Very scarce.. Book. Book Condition: Good. Binding: Soft cover

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