SAILING DIRECTIONS AND NAUTICAL REMARKS. 389 



and the city of Matsmai. It bears from the cape northwest by west, distant about forty miles, 

 and is four miles wide at tbe entrance, and five miles deep. 



The harbor is the southeastern arm of the bay, and is completely sheltered, with regular 

 soundings, and excellent holding ground. It is formed by a bold, peaked promontory, standing 

 well out from the high land of the main, with which it is connected by a low, sandy isthmus, 

 and appearing at a distance as an island may be readily recognized. 



The town is situated on the northeast slope of the promontory, facing the harbor, and contains 

 about 6,000 inhabitants. 



Approaching from the eastward, after passing Cape Siwo-kubi, named on our chart Cape 

 Blunt, which is a conspicuous headland eleven miles E. S. E ^ E. from the town, the junks 

 at anchor in the harbor will be visible over the low isthmus. 



For entering the harbor. — Bounding the promontory of Hakodadi, and giving it a berth of a 

 mile, to avoid the calms under the high land, steer for the sharp peak of Komaga-daki, bearing 

 about north until the east peak of the Saddle, bearing about northeast by north, opens well to 

 the westward of the round knob on the side of the mountain, then haul up to the northward 

 and eastward, keeping them well open, until the centre of the sand hills on the isthmus, 

 bears southeast by east £ east, (these may be recognized by the dark knolls upon them ;) this 

 will clear a spit which makes out from the northwestern point of the town in a north-north- 

 westerly direction two-thirds of a mile ; then bring the sand hills a point on the port bow, and 

 stand in until the northwestern point of the town bears southwest \ west, when you will have 

 the best berth, with 5| or 6 fathoms water. If it is desirable to get nearer in, haul up a little 

 to the eastward of south for the low, rocky peak, which will be just visible over the sloping 

 ridge to the southward and eastward of the town. A vessel of moderate draught may approach 

 within a quarter of a mile of Tsuki point, where there is a building yard for junks. This por- 

 tion of the harbor, however, is generally crowded with vessels of this description, and unless the 

 want of repairs, or some other cause renders a close berth necessary, it is better to remain 

 outside. 



If the Beak or Saddle is obscured by clouds or fog, after doubling the promontory, steer N.N.E. 

 until the sand hills are brought upon the bearing above given, when proceed as there directed. 



A short distance from the tail of the spit is a detached sand bank with 3| fathoms on it. The 

 outer edge of this is marked by a white spar buoy. Between this and the spit there is a narrow 

 channel with 4£ fathoms water. Vessels may pass on either side of the buoy, but it is most 

 prudent to go to the northward of it. 



Should the wind fail before reaching the harbor, there is good anchorage in the outer roads, 

 in from 25 to 10 fathoms. 



Excellent wood and water may be procured from the authorities of the town ; or, if preferred, 

 water can be easily obtained from Kamida creek, which enters the harbor to the northward and 

 eastward of the town. 



The season, at the time of our visit, was unfavorable for procuring supplies ; a few sweet and 

 Irish potatoes, eggs, and fowls, however, were obtained, and these articles, at a more favorable 

 period of the year, will no doubt be furnished in sufficient quantities to supply any vessels that 

 may in future visit the port. 



Our seine supplied us with fine salmon and a quantity of other fish, and the shores of the 

 bay abound with excellent shell-fish. 



During our stay in this harbor, from the 17th of May to the 3d of June, the weather was 



