Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-06-01
IMPORTANT FROM JAPAN.

Earthquake in sIn,oda-One OF the Largest CT
the Empire Destroyed Extraordinary
Experience of Russian F'rlgate
From the North China Herald Extraordinary, we
take the subioined Interesting news from Japan
We have been favored from private source with
the following extracts OF letter from an othcer OF
the United States steamer Powhattan
PowHATTAN, March 2, 1855,
Off the mouth of the Yang taZe-kang.
owe sailed from Smoda a week ago last Thurs
day, expecting run of about five days to Shanghai
The exchange of the ratifcations of the treaty
between the United States and Japan was made on
the 2lst of February, and we sailed on he 22d
The island of Niphon, in which $ moda Is stu
ated, visited on the 23d of December by
earthquake which most disastrous IN its effects
The city OF Ohosaca of the largest IN the Empire
was completely laid waste jeddo itself suffered
considerably, but has since suffered seriously
from the effects Of extensive conhagration The
Town of Simoda, on arrival, presented complete
scene of desolation and ruin. After the shock OF
the earthquake, the sea commenced bubblng up, as
1t were. along the Shore and then receded with great
rapdlty, and as soon returned with such increased
volume as to flood the whole town to the depth OF
SIX or seven teet sweeping away houses bridges and
temples, and piling them up in a mass of ruin.
Five times during the day did the sea advance
and recede IN this manner, spreading desolaon far
and wide. The largest junks in the harbor were
driven from one to two miles above high water mark,
where we saw them lying high and dry. About 200
of the poor inhabitants lost their lives by the
tiow the remainder saving themselves by fleeing TO
the mountains with which the town is surrounded.
/" The Russian frgate Diana, having Vice Admiral
Pontlatine on board lying in the harhOr at the
tme engaged in finishing up the treaty they had
made with the Japanese. Immediately after HE
shock was felt the water in the harbor became
vulsed to such degree in eGdes and whrlpOOls that
IN the space of thirty minutes she swung entirely
round forty-three times, twisting her chains up into
knots; so rapid was the motion that tho people
board could not keep their feet. and all made
giddy When the receded it left the frigate in
feet water on her side when her usual draft
2l feet. On it's return it is stated rhe wafer rose five
fathoms above its ordinary level.
" On lis again recedng, four feet only of water re
manned, so that they the stocks of their anchor
above the water. The heaVing of the bottom Of the
bay then violent that the lrigate although,
as said, in only four feet of water-was moved
bodily past her anchor The officers mOmcntly cx-
pecled that the bay would become the outlet Of the
subterranean fires, and that they would be enguiphed
in It. When the frigato again foatcd they her
keel and ru,der, which had been renched Off floating
alongside, and the ship filling with water BY get
ting sails under her they managed to keep her afoat,
and the next day, things having got quiet more,
they hauled her off into deeper water. Occasional
shocks OF earthquake still continued TO be felt, but
none were attended with serious consequences
After repairing damages well they could,
and having rugged a temporary rudder, and the
ther becoming fine, they attempted to take the ship
round TO another bay where she would be less ey-
posed and they could complete repairs (Simoda be
ing badly adapted to such a purpose y but when
within seven miles of their harbOr gale sprung mp,
the hundred Japanese boats that We're towing them
abandoned them, (nOt, however, till they had got cut
all the officers and crew., and shortly after the gal
liant ship sunk in deep water, the officers and men
saving only the clothes they stood in. Notwith-
standing all their misortunes and the dangers
through which they had passed, they only lost one
man. and he accidentally killed by being jammed
by one of the guns which had gone adrilt.''