388 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



Yokuhama, 35° 27' 15" N., longitude, 139° 40' 23" E. Variation, 2° 44' westerly.* High- 

 water, F and C, VI. Rise and fall at Yokuhama, 6 feet. 

 By order of Commodore M. C. Perry. 



SILAS BENT, Flag Lieutenant. 



FBOM THE GULF OF YEDO TO CAPE SIRIJA-SAKI, AT THE EASTERN ENTRANCE 



OF THE STRAITS OF SANGAR. 



A vessel may pass within a few miles of Capes Susaki and Sirofama, after which she will 

 experience the full force of the Kuro-Siwo, setting her on her course to the east-northeastward. 



In doubling Cape Blanco, which is a hold, chalky bluff, caution is enjoined, as the squadron 

 passed over the outer edge of a reef in 22 fathoms water S.S.E. from this cape, distant about 

 five miles, and from the heavy overfalls, in which fishing boats were anchored, it is quite certain 

 that there is much less water upon it in the shoalest part, but as it was near nightfall, it was 

 impossible to examine it. 



We place this reef in latitude 55° 08' north, longitude 140° 34' east; and Cape Blanco in 

 latitude 35° 13' north, longitude 140° 32' 30" east.f 



From this point to the Straits of Sangar we encountered no dangers, nor did we approach the 

 coast sufficiently near to test the accuracy of the charts until arriving off Cape Sirija-Saki, the 

 northeast point of Nippon. This point is in latitude 41° 26' north, longitude 141° 30' east. 



From the northward and eastward, at a distance of six or eight miles, the outline of this cape 

 resembles the back of a sperm whale, with its head to the southward, the Dodo rocks, off the 

 point of the cape, forming the flukes. On nearing the entrance of the Straits of Sangar, the 

 water thermometer suddenly falls fifteen or twenty degrees as you run from the Kuro-Siwo into 

 the cold current setting through the straits. From Cape Sirija-Saki, a northwest by west course 

 (made good) will carry you to the promontory, or Point Ohobana, the southern extremity of the 

 peninsula of Hakodadi. 



Cape Esarme, in latitude 41° 50' 30" north, longitude 141° 13' east, is the northern point of 

 the eastern entrance of the straits. It is a bold promontory, with several r?markable dome- 

 shaped mountains in the rear. 



The eastern portion of the straits is believed to be clear of hidden dangers, and, in case of 

 necessity, a vessel may, no doubt, find anchorage near the shore. 



A strong current was found setting out to the southward and eastward, but what effect the 

 tide may have upon it we had no opportunity of determining. 



SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR THE PORT OF HAKODADI. 



BY LIEUTENANT WILLIAM L. MAURY. 



This spacious and beautiful bay, which for accessibility and safety is one of the finest in the 

 world, lies on the north side of the Straits of Sangar, which separate the Japanese islands of 

 Nippon and Yesso, and about midway between Cape Sirija-SakiJ (the northeast point of Nippon) 



* The variation, as published in the charts of Yedo Bay and the Gulf of Yedo, are incorrect. 



f These positions are doubtful, as the unfavorable weather prevented observations near them. They are probably six or eight 

 miles too far to the eastward. 



\ Saki, in the Japanese language, means cape ; consequently it should more properly be called Cape Sirija ; but to prevent 

 mistakes, it has been thought advisable to adopt the Japanese names. 



