Complex sentence: However, on April 18,1845, an emissary from the emperor gave the ship permission to proceed--accompanied by "about three hundred Japanese boats with about 15 men in each took the ship in tow" according to Cooper's log.
Split into simpler sentences: However, on April 18,1845, an emissary from the emperor gave the ship permission to proceed. "About three hundred Japanese boats with about 15 men in each took the ship in tow", according to Cooper's log.