Journal of a cruise in the US ship, Vincennes, to the North Pacific Ocean, China Sea, Behring Strait, etc. by William Stimpson, 1853-1855
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Transcription
May 1853 Oshima perfect safety. Finally no fresh-water sup- tied here, nor did muddy tidal currents sweep by the ship, the water being as clear as in the open ocean, with no impurities which could injure the tender gills of Mollibranchiates, or entangle the waving arms of the most delicate polypes. In fact all of the con- ditions of life, which most Marine animals seek for, and can only find in the still depths on the open coast, were here to be found within reach of the naturalist. It is not strange then that by amiably turning the sterns, and loading out to places now left entirely dry, I have had much the finest basket of speils that it has ever been my fortune to collect in one day. Among these were many fine shells, Cy- praeas, Ores, Linus etc., and naked Mollusks, as Aplysia, Pleurotranchus, Doris, Coricella, Pniordoris, and Cynthia, a dozen or more fine large, and beautifully-colored species of Eurylepte and other Planarie and Nemertes, several five star-fishes, Ophiuride of great size, Many curious Holothu- mians, among which was a gelatinous, but translucent species, and a variety of Worms. Crunstacea were not presentally numerous. Echini, of three or four species were abundant. May 1853 Oshima As the tide began to rise after two hours, I was for- ced to desist. Though having collected much more material than I could possibly work up that e- vening, I am satisfied that four or five times the number of species might have been collected in this locality with further opportunity. On starting to return I was surprised to see the ship's masts over the low ridge at the bottom of the Cove, and to find that the numerous head-lands and coves around and across which we had pulled to reach this, were only those of a small peninsular - so varied and com- plicated are the windings of these beautiful shores. The Steamer "Hancock" arrived today and anchored near us. Temperature today averaging 75° F. 3rd Weather cloudy, with a strong S.W. breeze. Temp. 72°. It got under weigh early and beat out of the Straits, and sailed on before the wind along the west coast of Oshima, occasionally hewring to to take angles. At sunset, arriving off the mouth of a spacious bay or harbor, the 8th or 10th which we had seen during the day, we ran in and anchored. The bay was called Fo-kow Bay. The "Hancock" Came in late in the evening and anchored near us. She had been Surveying more particularly,