THE LANDING IN ABYSSINIA.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 827, 6 February 1868, Page 2

THE LANDING IN ABYSSINIA.

A correspondent of the Tall Mall Gazette writes as follows :—Zoula, Oct. 13. At sunset on September 28, the exploring party, under the command of Col. Merewether, embarked at Aden in the Euphrates and Coromandel, under a salute from the battery, the former vessel having in tow a large barge of 140 tons, for the purpose of facilitating the landing of horses and stores. The Coromaudel was ordered to rendezvous at Dissee Island, there to await the Euphrates, which steamed direct to Massowah, to pick up any intelligence regarding the captives, off which port she arrived at nine a.m. on the morning of the 30th. Massowah is an island, the straits lying between it and the mainland forming safe anchorage for half a dozen vessels at the utmost —not for a fleet, as I have seen it stated in the papers. It is for this reason that Massowah can never be fixed upon as a point of debarkation for troops. The island has been held by the Egyptians for some time, and is now covered with houses inhabited by men of many races, who trade as merchants with Abyssinia and the Arabian ports adjacent. N umerous ferry-boats ply between the island and the mainland, whither the inhabitants resort every evening, so that Massowah becomes at that time deserted. The fact is i that fresh watar is not to be found on the island, and as Mucculla, where the nearest wells are situate, is five miles inland, everyone goes there for water. At night, therefore, Massowah is deserted for Mucculla. Having at Massowah picked up the Acting English Consul, M. Munzinger, who had received no recent intelligence from the captives, the Euphrates joined the Coromandel at Dissee Island, and in company the two vessels reached Annesley Bay on Oct. 3, at eleven o’clock ; they anchored off the small village of Adnegoos, on the eastern side of the bay It was here found that the wells, whicii were two miles inland, did not contain sufficient water, and, accordingly, early the following day the expedition steamed over to this place on the opposite side of the bay. A dry river course was here found; in which the natives have numerous wells, and it was soon apparent that this place was the only one fit for the debarkation of troops, as Annesley Bay and Dissee Island on the north give the protection needed against the north-east gales to vessels, any number of which can be here accommodated. A landing stage was soon formed, and horses and troops were conveyed ashore in safety, and a camped formed three-quarters of a mile inland. The natives here, who are known as “ Shohos,” evinced not the slightest curiosity, not even venturing to the beach to inspect proceedings which must have been novel to them. Exploring parties have already left the camp. It appears that the best road inland leads through a pass of two miles and a half, which will have to be traversed with great caution, as through this pass the river often comes down suddenly with great force, sweeping everything before it. This rush is not caused by visible rain; it may be perfectly fine overhead, and yet the river may come pouring down owing to heavy rain far inland. The rainy season inland is now at an end, or nearly so, and the plain we are.on is about to have its share.