HARBOR OF SIMODA. 



415 



CHAPTER XXII. 



SURVEY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE HARBOR OF SIMODA.- — DISCIPLINE IN THE SftCADRON. — INTERCOURSE WITH THE AUTHORITIES 



OF SIMODA. KCRA-KAWA-KAHEI, THE PREFECT. HIS DISPOSITION TO PRODUCE TROUBLE. TREATMENT OF THE AMERICAN 



OFFICERS. REMONSTRANCF.S OF THE COMMODORE. EQUIVOCATION OF THE PREFECT. — HE IS FRIGHTENED INTO PROPRIETY. 



EFFORTS OF TWO JAPANESE GENTLEMEN CLANDESTINELY TO LEAVE THEIR COUNTRY IN THE SQUADRON. COMMODORe's 



CONDUCT. BUDDHIST TEMPLES AT SIMODA. PREFECT AGAIN SHOWS HIS PETTY HOSTILITY. HIS PREVARICATIONS AND 



FALSEHOODS. FUNERAL OF AN AMERICAN ON SHORE. INSULT OFFERED TO AMERICAN OFFICERS ON SHORE. PREFECT'S 



FURTHER FALSEHOODS. COMPELLED TO APOLOGIZE, AND INFORMED THAT HIS INSOLENCE WOULD NOT BE BORNE IN FUTURE. 



FRIENDLY INTERCOURSE WITH THE PEOPLE. DEPARTURE FOR HAKODADI. VOLCANO OF OHO-SIMA. THE KURO-SIWO, OE 



JAPANESE "gulf STREAM." STRAITS OF SANGAR. FOGS. HARBOR OF HAKODADI. — DIRECTIONS FOR ENTERING. 



N THE Commodore's arrival at the port of Simoda, he 

 immediately organized a surveying party for the complete 

 examination of the harbor, and, during his stay, succeeded 

 in obtaining a thorough knowledge of all the points of 

 nautical interest to tlie navigator. The harbor of Simoda 

 is near the southeastern extremity of the peninsula of Idzu, 

 which terminates at the cape of that name, and bears S. W. 

 by W., at a distance of forty-five miles from Cape Sagami, 

 at the entrance of the lovrer bay or gulf of Tedo. To the 

 northward of the harbor, a high ridge of mountains intersects 

 the peninsula, and south of this, all the way to the cape, 

 the land is broken by innumerable peaks of less elevation. 

 There are several islands and prominent rocks, which are 

 picturesque features in the view, and important indications, 

 , which require to be carefully considered by those approaching 

 Ws^^^& Simoda from the sea. Eock island, in latitude 34° 33' 50" 



N. , longitude 138° 57' 16" E., is about one hundred and twenty feet high, and a third of a mile 

 long, with precipitous shores, and a surface of irregular outline. Covering the top there is a 

 thick growth of shrubs, grass, weeds, and moss. From the summit of this island overfalls 

 were seen, bearing N. \ W., distant a mile or a mile and a half, which may have been caused 

 by rocks or reefs. An eifort was made to investigate the cause, but without success, in 

 consequence of the strong current and the fresh winds. The Japanese fishermen, however, 

 deny that there is any danger to navigation in that direction. North by west from Eock island, 

 distant two miles, are the Ukona rocks, which are really two in number, though at a distance 



