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EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



December, 1854,) an earthquake had occurred which was felt on the whole coast of Japan, 

 doing some injury to the capital, Yedo, completely destroying the fine city of Osaca on the 

 southeastern side of Niphon, and leaving abundant evidences of its ruinous effects at Siraoda. 

 One who should nov/ visit the place would find the description of it given in our narrative and 

 the pictured illustrations of our artists no longer appropriate. They represent Simoda as it ivas. 

 Every house and public building on the low grounds had been destroyed ; a few temples and 

 private edifices that stood on elevated spots were all that escaped, and but sixteen structures 

 were all that was left of what was once Simoda. The inhabitants told Commander Adams that 



Temple of Ben-ling, Simoda. 



the destruction was not caused by the immediate agitation of the earth, but by the action of the 

 sea which it occasioned, and which regularly followed the shocks. According to the statements 

 of tlie Japanese, the waters in the bay and near the shore were first observed to be violently 

 agitated ; they soon began rapidly to retreat, leaving the bottom of the harbor, where usually 

 there were five fathoms of water, nearly bare. The sea then rushed in upon the land in a wave five 

 fathoms above its usual height, and, overflowing the town up to the tops of the houses, swept 

 everything away. Tlie frightened inhabitants fled to the hills for safety, but before they 

 could reach their summits they were overtaken by the climbing waters and hundreds were 

 drowned. The waters retreated and returned in this manner five several times, tearing down 

 everything, and strewing the adjacent shores with the wrecks and ruins of houses prostrated, 

 and vessels torn from their anchorage. The Eussian frigate Diana, bearing the flag of Admiral 

 Pontiatine, was Iving in the harbor at the time. The Eussian ofiicers told Commander Adams 



