164 August 1854 Cant-Sing-moon, China her way to Macao. On the 7th the Hancock, Capt. Rogers, arrived here with the news of the condemnation of Com. Ringgold by a medical board which had held a survey. This had been officially reported to him on his late visit to Macao. Capt. Rogers, therefore, now takes command of the Expedition. He did not, however, come on board today but sailed for Hong Kong in the Hancock shortly after communicating with us. I went ashore but once at Cant-sing-moon; the weather being bad and the place pestilent with marshy odors. The animals at low water mark were nearly the same as there at Hong Kong:—same species however being common here which are rare there,—as the white Pelasmus, and several small univalves. A large flat of mud was uncovered at low water. August 8th Weather fine. We sailed for Hong Kong and at night anchored in Cant-sing-moon passage. August 9th Weather still fine. Getting underway. 165 August 1854 Hong Kong, China in the morning, we arrived in Hong Kong Harbor at 3 in the afternoon, and anchored well over on the Kowloon side, near the Hospital Ship and Steam Tugs. August 10th Our present anchorage is much preferable to our previous ones in this harbor, and we now enjoy a fine current of air the greater part of the time. The harbor is now much crowded with vessels. August 11th Capt. Rogers came on board today and took command. The ship has for some weeks been under the command of Lt. Reilly. August 12th—31st My time was, for the remainder of the month, pretty well occupied by the following duties. I got all of my stores out of the “Kennedy” which ship has been condemned as an exploring vessel, and goes up the river to lie off Canton as a Guard-Ship, and for the command of Lt. Gleason. Of the stores I selected part to keep with me on board ship, and sent the remainder ashore to the Naval Store-house. A large quantity of articles etc was condemned, the cans having rusted out on board the Kennedy on her outward passage,