382 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



Kozu-sima, in latitude 34° 13' 15" north, longitude 139° 08' east, (centre,) is the most south- 

 western of the chain of islands lying off the Gulf of Yedo. It is three and a half miles in length 

 from northeast to southwest, and may be recognized by a remarkable white cliff on its western 

 side, and a white patch on its summit, to the northward of the cliff. It has an elevation of 

 2,000 feet. 



About two miles to the westward of the southwest point of Kozu-sima are the "Brood rocks," 

 which should be given a safe berth, as their jagged appearance would lead to the belief that 

 there may be hidden clangers in their immediate neighborhood. 



SiMni-sima is a low island, with a small islet off its north point. It is one and a half miles 

 in length, and lies five miles N.N.E. of Kozu-sima. One of the vessels of the squadron passed 

 between these islands and could discover no dangers. It is, therefore, thought to be safe. 



Nee-sima is about one and a half miles to the northward and eastward of Sikini, and, from its 

 broken outline, appears from a distance as several islands. It is five miles in extent from north 

 to south, with an altitude at its highest point of 1,468 feet.* 



Utoma is a small island about two and a half miles N. \ E. of Nee-sima ; is cone-shaped, and 

 has detached rocks lying near its shores. Its elevation is 660 feet. 



To-sima is a couple of miles N. \ W. from Utoma. It is one mile in diameter ; pyrimidal- 

 shaped, with an elevation at its apex of 1,730 feet. 



Oho-sima is ten miles N.N. Eastward of To-sima. Its southeastern point is in latitude 

 34° 39' 30" N., longitude 139° 28' E. North point, latitude 34° 47' 30" N., longitude 139° 24' 

 E. This is the largest and most northern island of the chain. It has an active volcano near its 

 summit, which rises to an altitude of 2,530 feet. The sloping sides of the mountain are exten- 

 sively cultivated, and dotted with towns and villages. The vapor which sometimes ascends 

 from the volcano, or hangs in a dense mass over the mountain, makes the island a capital land- 

 mark for vessels approaching this part of the coast of Japan. The passage between this island 

 and To-sima was repeatedly used by the squadron, and is believed to be entirely free from hidden 

 dangers. 



The current sets strongly to the northward and eastward through these various passages, and 

 is, of course, disturbed in its regularity by the obstruction of the islands. This, therefore, 

 should be always borne in mind, particularly in bad weather. 



None of the passages between the above named islands were traversed by the squadron, except 

 those two particularly mentioned, and we cannot, therefore, venture to offer any comments upon 

 them. 



Meac-sima and Mecoura are two islands lying to the southward and eastward of the above 

 chain, affording a safe passage of some fifteen miles in width between them and Kozu-sima, 

 through which the squadron passed in returning from the first visit to the bay of Yedo. Both 

 of the islands are high and bold. Meac-sima is in latitude 34° 06' N., longitude 139° 29' E., 

 and Mecoura is in latitude 33° 54' N., longitude 139° 35' E. There is a cluster of rocks about 

 two and a half miles to the southward and westward of Meac-sima. Broughton says, "there 

 are, in addition, some black rocks two or three miles from the eastern point of the island ;" but 

 the squadron was not at any time in a jDOsition to observe them. 



BKOUGHTON KOCK 



Lies about seventeen miles to the southward and westward from Macoura, in latitude 33° 42' N., 



* There is also a small low island a short distance to the southward and eastward of Nee-sima, 



