376 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



never raise a sea, as the latter is broken by the long stretch of coast from Gama Satchi, and by 

 the great depth of the bay. 



" The country around the head of the bay is very fertile and populous, Motubu and Naguh 

 being the largest towns. At Oon-sah we found a very good ship and timber yard, where several 

 junks were being built. Here we also found the natives more affable and sociable than on any 

 other part of the coast, the women coming around us to examine our uniforms and surveying 

 instruments. This part of the island (extending to beyond Naeosi) appears to be in a high 

 state of cultivation — rice and sweet potatoes are the principal productions ; but on the northern 

 side of the peninsula, north of Deep bay, we saw the most extensive fields of wheat that I have 

 seen in Lew Chew, extending uninterruptedly for several miles. Cotton was observed, also, in 

 many places ; but the growth was small, and the yield poor. Peas, beans, radishes, turnips, 

 and sugar-cane we saw growing in considerable quantities, also mustard and ginger. On the 

 Natchijen mountains cinnamon was found growing wild. On these mountains is a fine growth 

 of timber, which furnishes most of the spars for the native junks ; Nakazuni cove, on the north 

 side of the peninsula, being the principal depot, whence they are transported to other parts of 

 the island. 



" To the east and northeast of Suco island there is excellent anchorage, protected from any 

 wind that can blow, affording free egress to the northward and southward, and where wood, 

 water, and fresh provisions can be easily procured. Although on the harbor chart of Suco the 

 anchorage to the east of that island appears to be open to the south, yet it is well sheltered in 

 that direction by the reef making out from the south point of Suco, and by the south shore of 

 Deep bay, which stretches quite across the southern opening, though at a considerable distance." 



OONTING, OK POBT MELVILLE, ISLAND OF GKEAT LEW CHEW. 



This beautiful harbor is on the N.W. side of Lew Chew, and distant about thirty-five miles 

 from Kapha. 



Sugar Loaf island, an excellent landmark, lies about twelve miles to the W.N. Westward of 

 the entrance. The island is low and flat, with the exception of a sharp conical peak near 

 its extremity, which rises to a height of several hundred feet. 



Passing to the north of Sugar Loaf island, an E.S. Easterly course will bring you to the mouth 

 of the harbor, and to the northward and westward of Kooi island. It is advisable to heave to 

 here, or anchor in twenty or twenty-five fathoms water, until boats or buoys can be placed along 

 the edges of the reefs bordering the channel, for without some such guides it is difficult for a 

 vessel of large draught to find her way in between the reefs, which contract in places to within a 

 cable's length of each other, and are at all times covered with water. 



The ranges and courses for the channel are, first, Hele rock, in range with Double-topped 

 mountain, bearing south 37 degrees east. Steer this course, keeping the range on, until Chim- 

 ney rock bears S.£E. ; then for Chimney rock, until Point Conde bears south 49 degrees east ; 

 then for Point Conde, until entering the basin of Oonting, when anchor, giving your ship room 

 to swing clear of the reef making out to the northward of Point Conde, and you will be as 

 snug as if lying in dock with good holding ground, completely land-Lpcked, and sheltered almost 

 entirely from every wind. 



Good water is to be had at the village of Oonting. 



By order of Commodore M. C. Pjerry. SILAS BENT, 



Lieutenant United States Navy. 



