COURSE OF THE SHIPS. OHO-SIMA. 229 



trusted would so far answer his necessities as not to interfere seriously with the great ohject of 

 the expedition, now fairly set out for Japan. The advantages of steam were fully appreciated in 

 the opportunity it gave of making a uniformly steady and direct course of ascertained speed — 

 advantages in which the sailing vessels were made to participate ; for the Saratoga was taken 

 in tow hy the Susquehanna, as the Plymouth was by the Mississippi. The Commodore's ship 

 led the van out of Napha and awaited, some five miles away, between the gi'oup of islands 

 situated off the harbor and the southwestern extremity of the island, the coming up of her 

 consort^ as did the Mississijjpi for hers. Hawsers then being passed from the steamers to tlie 

 two sloops-of-war, they were respectively taken in tow, the squadron fairly started and began 

 the voyage to Yedo. 



All seemed very well satisfied to get away from Lew Chew. The picturesque interests of the 

 island were, for the time being, thoroughly exhausted, and the dull realities of life began to 

 weigh rather heavily uj)on the visitors. Beside, the great object of the expedition was still before 

 them, and anticipation naturally begat impatience. The weather, too, had become sultry and 

 excessively oppressive, for the heat had reached the high degree of 88° Fahrenheit in the coolest 

 part of the Susquehanna while she lay at anchor in the harbor. The people of Lew Chew, 

 moreover, had not apparently been very much won over by the blandishments of their courteous 

 visitors. The supplies with which they at first furnished the squadron had been gradually 

 falling off, and their consent to receive payment for them seemed to be the principal change in 

 their policy effected by the long sojourn of six weeks. Still some progress had been made. 

 Their system of espionage had become less public and intrusive, although some suspected that 

 it was as alert as ever though more concealed. 



On getting clear of the harbor and stretching beyond the shelter of the southeastern extremity 

 of the island, a strong wind was encountered from the east, and as the steamers were deep, it 

 was thought advisable to stand off on the port tack in order to get well clear of the land, for the 

 vessels in tow were dragging them to leeward notwithstanding the power of the engines. In 

 the course of the day, as there was every prospect of weathering the eastern part of the island, 

 the ships were put on the other tack^ and their course directed for Japan. 



The track taken by the squadron east of the chain of islands which stretch from Formosa to 

 Lew Chew, and thence to Japan, (very properly called by Blunt the "'Southern," " Middle," 

 and "Northern" groups,) has been very rarely traversed by the ships of modern nations ; while 

 the islands on the eastern side of the chain are unknown to our present navigators. 



The French admiral, Cecille, in 18-4G, employed one or more of his squadron in the exploration 

 of the islands about Lew Chew, and along the western side of the northern group; but according 

 to the best authorities, to which Von Siebold, among others, adds his testimony, the eastern 

 side of the latter islands has never been visited by any modern navigator. The principal island 

 of the northern group is called by the Japanese Oho-sima, and by the Chinese Tatao ; these 

 words meaning in their respective languages, " great island." It is about the size, includino- 

 one or two adjoining islands in the estimate, of Great Lew Chew, and is probably governed by 

 similar laws. It has one chief city and several towns, and the country is supposed to be highly 

 cultivated. Von Siebokl states that the island contains several good harbors, and it is 

 undoubtedly, in every respect, of sufficient interest to claim an investigation. The Commodore 

 resolved, at some subsequent period, to send some vessel of the squadron to make a proper 

 survey. 



