The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-20
The China Sens and Whaling Region Of the
North Pacific.


North Pacific.
| 1t is source of congratulation to the COM
mercial community especially that the action
of Congress (und or memorials presented from
most Of the Atlantic seaports) on bill reported
by the Committee of Commerce in the Senate
Is likely to BE- favorable. That bill is to pro
vide the Navy Department with the means of
making framing survey" Of the dangers
lying in the routes of the American trade on its
approach to and In the China sea, and also of
those besetting the American whaleman while
in pursuit Of his game in the North Pacific.
The commercial interest of the country is
unquestionaby Of sufficient importance to COM
mand protection from all dangers, whenceso-
ever they may arise. The discussion of the
manifested determination on the part of that
body, at least. to protect that interest from dan
gers and distractions which may be thrown in
its way by foreign power; not less does it be-
| come us, as a nation, to guard that more ex,
tended and still more important branch Of COM
merce, which whitens every sea and ocean with
its shipping, from the more insidious dangers
of unknown and undetermined islands, rocks,
and shoals.
The wrecks in the China seas and whaling
region Of the North Pacific, arising from defec-
tive charts-compiled and constructed by un-
aided private enterprise-and the numerous
dangers beset,ing our rapidly increasing trade
between CALIFORNIA and CHINA, setting aside
the great loss of life, appeal forcibly to the
humane consideration of Government, as well
as to its justice, for some adequate security and
protection The number of wrecks which &C.
Cured among those vessels engaged in the
China trade during the last year or two, caused
by unknown shoals and reefs, is by no means ill.,
significant. The disasters attending the whaling
fleet in the North Pacific during the year 1851
number eleven already ascertained; doubtless
there have been many more. The dangerous
navigation of this icy region, wherein whales
Misunderstanding from mountains and fields of
ice-is enough of itself to try the stout heart
of the enterprsing whaleman. Let US not, in
addition to these dangers, allow him longer to
grope his way amidst shoals and rocks which
no eye can see, and which his charts-a blank
sheet calculated rather to mislead and betray-
tell him, falsely, are not in his way.
In the approaches to the China sea. and
thence throughout the entire route to the coast
of CHINA, lay concealed dangers which now
and then are discovered in the wrecking of
some magnificent ship. An instance of this
kind occurred, not more than twelve months
past, in the Straits Of Gasper-,he southern
gateway to the China sea-in the total loss Of
the American ship .Memnon, Of New York,
homeward bound, with cargo valued, together
with the ship, at half million Of dollars.
The acquisition Of CALIFORNIA has opened
new highway and approach to the China
sea-beset with dangers-whch is destined to
become as much frequented as is the route
from New York to Liverpool. In this route,
especially as the Asia,ic coast is approached.
the charts are alarmingly defective and erro-
neous. In many instances islands are located
on the charts SO enormously as to mislead
rather than assist the mariner. The United
States brig Dolphin, during her late cruise,
and on her passage from CHINA to CALIroR-
MA, passed over or near the posi,ion-assignel
1t on the charts-of an island called Disap-
pointnent, and, seeing nothing Of it, it was
presumed that there was no such island, but
while standing on her course the following
day, to the surprise of all on board, the cry Of
"Land ho" came from the masthead. Lucky
craft. that she made this land in the glare of
sunshine. Had it been shrouded in the dark
ness of night. it might have proved the resting
place Of the brig and the grave of most of her
crew. The name Of this island was, in truth,
printed on the chart, but enormously laid
down 60 miles in longitude. Its elevation
above the waters edge was about ten feet.
In the same track Captain SMITH, of the ship
Hsber, on the passage from CHINA to San
Francisco. discovered large rock Tin 1851
not laid down on any chart" 10 this same