The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-05-30

From the North China Herald, extra,
we take the subjoined important news from
Japan. The date is -...
PowHATTAN, March 2, 1861
Off mouth of Yang Toze-kiang. {
We sailed from Simonda week ago last Thurs
day, expecting run of about five days to Shanghai,
but we had scarcely got out of the harbor before we
encountered heavy gale, which required h.rge
pendure Of coal to enable us to breast it, without
making any Roadway, but the contrary rather los
ing ground. This had scarcely subsidized when we
had another gale more severe than the first, which
lasted much longer, and after that subsidized we had
still another, directly in our teeth which seemed to
combine in itself the severity of both the previous
ones. / never before have experienced anything to
compare with it at Being short Of coal, the
ship could not be placed in the most favorable posi-
ton for weathering the gales, the captain thought
it necessary that he should force her against it all he
COULD that he might make his fuel last to get the
ship into por. when the gale abated By the great
est good luck we have managed to avoid the necess-
ty of taking off the paddles and beating up under
SAIL ..
The exchange of the rat6cations of the Treaty be.
tween the United States and Japan was made on the
2lst February, and we sailed next day.
The Island of Niphon, in which Simoda is situat-
ed, was visited on the 2sd December by severe
earthquake, which was most disastrous in its effects.
The city Of Ohosaca, one Of the largest in the EN-
pire, completely laid waste. Jeddo itself suffer-
ed considerably, but has since suffered serious
ly from the effects Of extensive conAagration.-
The town of Simonda, OH our arrival, presented a
complete scene of desolation and ruin. After the
shock of the earthquake the commenced bubbling
up it along the shore, and then receded with
great rapdy and soon returned with such increased
or seven feet, sweeping away houses, bridges, tenn
pies, and piling them up in a mass of ruins.
Five times during the day did the sea advance and
recede in this manner, spreading desolaton far and
wide. The largest junks in the harbor we're driven
from one to two miles above high water mark, where
we saw them lying high and dry. About two hun
dred Of the poor inhabitants lost their lives by the
overflow, the remainder saving themselves by fleeing
to the mountains, with which the town is surround
ed. ......
The Russian frigate Diana, having Vice Admiral
Pontiatine on board, was lying in the harbor at the
time, engaged in finishing up the treaty they had
made with the Japanese. Immediately after the
shock felt, the water in the harbor became con-
vused to such degree in eddes and whirlpools that
in the space Of thirty minutes she swung entirely
round fortyhree times, twisting her chains up into
knots; SO rapid was the motion that the people on
board could not keep their feet and all were made
giddy. When the sea receded it left the frigate in
eight feet water on her side, when her usual drasght
was over % feet. On its return, it is stated, the
water rose five fathoms above its ordinary level.
On its again recedng, feet only Of water remain
ed that they the stocks of their anchor above
the water. The heaying of the bottom of the bay
was then violent that the frigate-although, as
said, in only feet of WATERWAYS moved bodily past
her anchor. The officers momentary expected that
the bay would become the outlet of the suberranean
fires, and that they would be engulphed init. When
the frigate again foaed, they her keel and rud
der, which had been wrenched off, floating along
side, and the ship filling with water. By getting
sails under her, they managed to keep her aoat, and
the next day things having got quiet more they
hauled her off into deep water. Occasional shocks
Of the earthquake still continued to be felt, but none
were attended with serious consequences.
After repairing damages as well they could and
having rugged a temporary rudder, and the weather
becoming fine, they attempted to take the ship round