Journal of a cruise in the US ship, Vincennes, to the North Pacific Ocean, China Sea, Behring Strait, etc. by William Stimpson, 1853-1855
Page 163
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Transcription
212 January 1855- Japanese Seas (Tanegasima) 9th N. lat 30°19' E. long 130°45' Wind S. Weather fine Temp 53° At noon we anchored in a small light near the southern extremity of Tanega-sima. A boat was sent ashore with officers to make Observations, among whom were Messrs Wright and Brooke. With the permission of Capt. Rodgers I took the "Second-cutter" and went into the light to dredge under sail. The bottom was mostly Sandy, depth about 10f. The locality was rather barren, but I obtained a variety of Shells, some Starfishes (Astrpoeus) and Echini of a flat form (Melita). From Mr Wright on his return, I received a few shells and Amphipoda. I had no opportunity of landing, for the 10th next morning we sailed early, and passed between Tanegasima and Taku- mo-sima. Here my large dredge was put over in 50 fms, with a six-inch hauser, but the frame catching on the bottom, the handles were torn out and the machine consequently lost. We passed along the N. shore of Tak- erasima, and so on to the Southward. 213 January 1855- Japanese Seas 11th N. lat. 29°43' E. long 130°52 Wind E. Cloudy Temp. 65° We made Akerene and Pacific is. in the morning, and ran for them. On hearing the land we hauled on a wind and passed to the eastward of it. The weather became stormy and the wind increasing soon brought us down to double-reefed top- sails. 12th N. lat 28°30' E. long 130°00 Wind E. Stormy Temp 65° Toward noon we made Kikais is. and bore away to pass to leeward of it. When within two miles of its western extremity we made land to the westward, wore ship and stood to the northward, the gale still continuing heavy. My time recently chiefly employed in cataloguing and putting up small shells. 13th N. lat 28°30' E. long 130°25 Wind N.N.W. Stormy Temp 65° Before I sick in the morning the gale broke suddenly, and it became quite calm, when, in a few minutes a tremendous gust from the westward announced the commencement of a gale in that direction - the opposite of that of the one just experienced. We headed to the Southward, and at