The Japan expedition. Japan and around the world: An account of three visits to the Japanese empire, with sketches of Madeira, St. Helena, cape of Good Hope, Mauritius, Ceylon, Singapore, China, and Loo-ChooSpalding, J. W. (J. Willett)
History
The Japan expedition. Japan and around the world: An account of three visits to the Japanese empire, with sketches of Madeira, St. Helena, cape of Good Hope, Mauritius, Ceylon, Singapore, China, and Loo-Choo
Spalding, J. W. (J. Willett)
Japan -- Description and travel; Voyages and travels
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 Suwu Kubo, named on
our chart Cape Blunt, which is a conspicuous headland 12 miles E. by S.
from the town, the junks at anchor in the harbor will be visible over
the low isthmus.
FOR ENTERING THE HARBOR.
Rounding 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 N., until the east peak of the Saddle,
bearing about N. E. by N., opens to the westward of the round knob on
the side of the mountain, then haul up to the northward and eastward,
keeping them open until the centre of the sandhills on the isthmus
bears S. E. by E. ¾ E.; these may be recognised by the dark knolls
upon them. This will clear a spit which makes out from the northwestern
point of the town in a north-northwesterly direction two thirds of
a mile; then bring the sandhills a point on the port bow, and stand
in until the northwestern point of the town bears S. W. ½ W., when
you will have the best berth, with 5½ or 6 fathoms water. If it is
desirable to get nearer in, haul up a little to the eastward of S., 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 portion 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 Peak or Saddle is obscured by clouds or fog, after doubling the
promontory, steer N. by E. ½ E., until the sandhills are brought upon
the bearing above given, when proceed as there directed.
A short distance from the tail of the spit is a detached sandbank,
with 3½ 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 5
or 6 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account