June 1855 Japan 260 6th This day we spent in the Straits of Sanguar, making ineffectual attempts to stem the current, with a light variable wind. Soundings in 45 fms. were had with the clump- lead, by which I obtained several Chelonoped Crustaceans and a fine Sertularia. Many fine Alga floated past, among which were large Laminariae and Sargassum, and a fine and curious Agarum, 10ft long and 1ft wide. On the seaweeds were found Cresestis in abundance. We anchored with the kedge in the channel, but found the current so strong that the hanser was near parting, and we had much difficulty in securing the apparatus, even with the help of two capstans. We then ran in near the Jesse shore and anchored with a lower & chain where the current was less powerful. In the afternoon a fine S.E. breeze sprang up. We weighed, and be- ing able to stem the current, proceeded slowly up toward Nakodadi. We passed abundance of large Medusa, consisting chiefly of a Beroe of a pinkish color, a Yellow Ganea, and a Staurophora. At midnight we arrives off the Harbor of Nakodadi and anchored. June 1855 Nakodadi, Japan 261 7th We got underweigh early in the morning, and beat up to the anchorage off the town of Nakodadi. The number of vessels in the har- or was six - much greater than we had expected. The Navrock and Cooper had arrived, the former three, the latter one day before us. Our store-ship the "Jute" from New York had been here nearly three weeks. We got some N.Y. Newspapers by her. Two English vessels of war, (Saracen and Tartar) are also here, be- ing part of the Squadron now engaged in watching the Russian fleet in Castro Bay. Finally there is an American brig from San Francisco, part whaler and part trader, which brought here two merchants who wished to es- tablish here a depot for supplying whalers with stores. With less success however than Messrs Doty and Reed met with at Shimoda, they have not been permitted to take up their residence on shore. The weather being stormy, none of us went on shore today. Temp. 62° - at midnight 53° 8th A steady cold rain, prevents us from leaving the ship. 9th Cloudy. Early in the morning I went a- shore to be present at the hauling of