The Shasta Courier

A Perilous Adventure.--The various daring experiments in ocean navigation in crossing the Atlantic in mere cockle shells, as compared with our ocean steamers, which have been so successful in most instances within the past year, has stimulated adventure until an attempt to rival the three men in a tub is about to be made, which, if it does not argue well for the sanity of those engaged in the feat, certainly has the merit of novelty. To-morrow, (says the New York World of June 3d,) at noon, three men will start from the Battery on a voyage to Havre via Southampton, on one of Perry's monitor life-rafts, twenty five feet in length, by twelve and a half in breadth, and drawing but six inches of water. The raft is constructed the same as other rafts of the inventor now in use by the Pacific Mail and other steamship companies, and is named the Nonpareil. The raft is fitted for a long voyage, and has five sails, with a canvas tent for a cabin. It is provided with twelve gutta percha water-tanks, containing seven gallons each, has a small naphtha stove for making tea and coffee, and canned provisions sufficient for a thirty days' voyage. It will take along a tender raft of smaller dimensions (ten feet long,) which is to serve as a sort of life-boat in case of accident to the main raft. The crew is to consist of John Mikes, master; George Miller, and Henry Lawson. Captain Mikes has had some experience of the capabilities of the raft, and professes to have no misgivings whatever as to the success of the proposed voyage, which he is confident of making in fifteen or twenty days.