D K P A R T U R E F R f) M S I M D A . 489 



pass to his successor in office ; to each of the pilots a comfortable overcoat aud two American 

 ensigns, to be displayed on board the pilot-boats when going to any vessels that may appear off 

 the harbor. The surveyors had marked the rocks, buoys, and prominent headlands with signal 

 flags, but as the Japanese authorities objected to them as seeming to imply some evidence of 

 right to possession, it was readily conceded that the Japanese should substitute for them their 

 little white and black striped flags. 



On the morning of the 28th of June, 1854, the wliole squadron got under way ; but the 

 wind shifting to the southward, the Macedonian and Supply were obliged to anchor again. 

 The Commodore, accordingly, ordered these vessels to warp into a safe berth, and sail when the 

 wind and weather should permit, and to keep company, if possible, to Kelung, in Formosa, 

 ■where they were bound. There seemed no occasion to wait for them, as their destination was 

 different, and any further delay on the part of the steamers would only result in an unnecessary 

 consumption of coal ; so the Mississippi and the Powhatan, with the Southampton in tow, stood 

 out to sea and shaped a course to the southward and westward. 



In passing out beyond Kock Island, a high sea was encountered, which gave additional proof 

 that the outer as well as the inner harbor of Simoda is perfectly safe. The violence of the sea 

 being in a considerable degree broken by the ledge of rocks extending, though not continuously, 

 from Rock Island to Cape Idzu — but these channels were not thoroughly explored by the officers 

 of the expedition — " I should not like," says the Commodore, " to venture through either of 

 them, and would not recommend others to do so. It is more prudent to go outside of Eock 

 Island, by which ships will not be so much endangered by the influence of the rapid current 

 seemingly setting at all times to the eastward." 



After leaving Simoda, the Commodore directed the steamers to be steered to the southward, 

 in order to obtain another observation of the Redfield rocks, discovered on the passai-e durin^ 

 the previous month of February. On coming up with them it was found that their positions 

 had been very correctly established by former notes, but care was taken to verify these by fresh 

 observations. From the Redfield rocks a course was made for the northeast end of Oho-sima, 

 the island claimed to have been discovered by Commander Glynn. On the previous passage to 

 Japan, the western shore of Oho-sima and the adjacent islands had been carefully observed. It 

 was now determined to examine very closely the eastern coast, and, consequently, on the 

 morning of the 29th of June, the northern point of Oho-sima was made with this view. It 

 was found that this part of the island bore N. 82° W., and that the bearings, therefore, on the 

 chart, were erroneous. The steamers continuing their course, passed between Oho-sima and 

 Kikai-sima, or Bungalow Island, and traversed the eastern coast of the former so closely, that 

 all its sinuosities, bays, inlets, could be marked with much accuracy. Having at meridian 

 obtained excellent observations of latitude and longitude, as the result of the notes of the three 

 ships, it was practicable to determine the positions of the most prominent headlands by a series 

 of angles deduced from these observations. 



Before the visit of the United States squadron to these seas, a French chart, constructed by 

 Monsieur N. Guerin, capitaine de vaisseau, and published in Paris in 1848, was the most 

 approved guide. This chart has been improved by the observations and notes of the officers of 

 the expedition, and, although there are doubtless many hidden dangers yet to be discovered and 

 accurately reported, it can be said, with honest pride, that the Americans have contributed very 

 much towards the hydrographical information of that part of the world, and especially of the 

 gulf and bay of Yedo, waters hitherto almost unknown to foreign navigators. 

 62 J 



