170 September 1854. Ning Kong, China What did occur were somewhat different in general character from those taken on the same ground last Sunday. No fishing or trawling boats are now to be seen in the bay although so numerous formerly. I succeeded however in obtaining a few nov- elities in the fish-market. Cm. Rieggold and his Secretary (Mr Stewart) arrived here from Macao, and soon after went on board the Susquehama, sailing for home in that steamer on the 14th. Our former Commodore though still de- ranged, seems to have quite recovered his health. Our vessels in this port are fast leav- ing, one by one: those of Cm. Perry's Squad- ron have all sailed excepting the Macedo- nian, which remains here as the flag- ship of the East India Squadron. Cm. Per- ry left for home in the Mail steamer on the 11th. The Mississippi sailed on the same day with us (the 12th). The "Narocck" and "Cooper" sailed on the 9th together, for a surveying cruise up the Chinese coast as far as Corea. 171 September 1854 China Sea 12th N. Lat. 31° 52' E. Lon. 114° 09' Fine Wind N.E. Course S.E. &c. We sailed from Ning Kong in the morning, passing between Green Is. and H.K. Island and so on to the Northward and Eastward, passing just astern of the Lema So Wind fresh though not fair. The Porpoise accompanies us. 13th N. Lat. 19° 27' E. Lon. 115° 20' Fine Wind N.E. Beating to the Eastward. 14th N. Lat. 20° 04' E. Lon. 116° 41' Rainy. Wind variable but generally ahead. We are beating about in the vicinity of Flates Shoals, in a most uncom- fortable sea. A dark night. A large ship was seen approaching us on the opposite tack, which did not alter her course though repeatedly hailed. She passed just clear of us: one might have thrown a biscuit on board. We spoke her and found she was bound to London. 15th N. Lat. 19° 57' E. Lon. 116° 32' Squally. Wind S.E., ena- b ling us to head about N.E. 16th N. Lat. 21° 04' E. Lon. 118° 21' Squally Wind East. Beating. 17th N. Lat. 19° 51' E. Lon. 118° 47' Beating. In the afternoon a strong gale sprang up from the Eastward, which soon reduced us to short sail. 18th N. Lat 20° 06' - E. Lon. 118° 52' The Gale continues, stronger than ever.