The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-22

Our Kak,sahi (slmoda) Correspondence.

FoRr OF SlMopA, TEMPLE OF YoKusms,
KAnsAH, Japan, June To- 1855. !
Voyage from Honolulu to he Benin Llands-Detkaion
amongst he Ilhobitaats-ETets Of an Earthquake
Journey TO the Port Of Smoda--A Japcaese Pilo-Scesbs
in 81 Har1or-Criostty Of ne Natrcs 10 sec american
Ladies-7Ae Shipcrecked Russans-Loss o. Lye BY the
Submarine Earfhquahe-The Russian 7rec,y-A Ban in
ne Tmpe Of I0kt.shc--Hoto The Gods loere Fred-
Moremats Of Mar Tesseis-Ldunch g Russian
Schcone-9he U. S. Surveying Espetition- Commodore
Rodgers and the Teaty DitTcal.yCorduot Of the Aner
can Ship Wha. Cher.
In compliance with desire 10 give few notes OF my
voyage and visit to JaIen hasten TO send the following
per the yincennes, u. S. Exploring Expedition which
sails hence tor Hakodadi where the soreshp
awaiting her arrival and which goes direct 10
Shanghai.
We sailed from Honolulu, Sandwich Islands the 18th
February, board the American schooner c. T. Fsote,
Tor Japan via BONN Islands On arrival at lloyds
Harbor, Peel Island found the inhabitants in desti
tute circumstances They report that the Esd Decem-
Der last, at O'Clock, A. NJ, they experienced slight
hock Of an earthquake and half hour later the har
Dor presented before witnessed in these
islands, a15 A. M the water in the bay was discov-
cred be rapidly rising and in ten minutes it reached
the surrounding the bay at which point it stood
five ten minutes when it receded and fell 80 feet be-
low tide mark leaving the bottom Of the bay exposed in
lowed and five minutes il II feet above high
mark and receded carrying away their houses, crops
and cattle and left the few who living there with
naugh the turtle they CATCH to satisfy the cravings
Of hunger.
We remained at these islands six days, when got
under way for this port. We entered this harbor using
the sailing directions published by Lieut. Maury, Of the
Japan squadron and found them Of great service We
we're not boarded by the pilot until reached the
anchorage, when this important functionary at least
for Insurance. came of in boat poorly manned, but
well Japanned with 7x9 American flag, fastened to
bamboo hosted in the bow OF his Presenting his
pilot certificate from Commodore Perry with great
mony, the only service rendered by him. It how
satisfied us were in the harbor of simoda-waich
fact also established another worthy OF note we had
made the voyage from the Sand sich Islands in - days
u hours.
On coming to anchor our vessel Immediately
rounded by large number of guard and shore boats
filled With japanese, and it with the greatest Difficult
ty that they could be kept off from the ship
their curiosity TO the American ladies' two of whom
board
There no foreign vessels in port and great
surprise, after arrival to large twelve
cared cutter coming off TO ship and surprise
still greater when found it contained few OF the Off
and men of the late Russian gate DIANA who
wrecked in this harbor in December last
By the way, it is most gratifying to be able 20 stae
that few days subsequent to their disaster the United
States steamer Powhatan arrived in this port when her
officers furnished the Russian Admiral his officers and
men, such provisions and clothing their immediate
eessi,ies required and the Russians united in their
expressions Of gratitude for the courtesies extended to
them by the officers OF the Powhatan.
You win perceive that the earthquake and flood at
this port excepting difference Of time, and great
or violence here) occurred as ut the Bonin Islands
At the time of its occurrence here the town OF Smoda
phere was strongly impregnated with sulphur The
weather clear, with light breeze from the south
ward and eastward. barometer, ssian," stood AZ
70 81; thermometer 'Rameur, IL Pa extreme rise and
fall of the water in the bay was about fifty feet It Is
believed that about four hundred men, and chill
dren to their death by this awful calamity. The
bays of Jedo and Hakodad also experienced this strange
phenomenon, but the damage done in those ports
trfiDg. It, however, visited the bay of Osaka which
situated in the southern portion Of the Island of Nphon
with tremendous fury, and its effects that immense
city were fgbtiu large portion Of which was inun-
dated and the loss Of lite almost Incredible About four
thousand persisted.
treaty OF peace and amty has Just been concluded
is similar to that executed by Commodore Perry. They
have however gained for themselves land " the port
of Nangasahi, which has long been known trading
port Of the Dutch Company The ailar was conc ucted
the part Russia by Vice Admiral poutiatine aid
| de.camp to his late Majesty
Soon after arrival our vessel chartered TO
transport the of The Diana to of their
ports, at the north. large portion Of cargo was
landed and stpred Ivy the officers Of the who
locked the warehouse and deli cred TO the keys and
ourselves landed and established residence in this
temple without opposition the part OF the authorities
Therefore note March a. 1850 the LAY which the
American ladies, whom the Japanese much feared,
landed in japan. Mrs H. II. Doy Of Virginia and Mrs
W. G. Reed. Of New York, are The pioneers. In the
evening united with the Russian officers in celehret-
ing in the temple tbe birthday arnver airy Of one Of their
number. Music dancing, &c., wa the order OF the
evening, and the affair passed oil with great 6ctd The
gods in the temple would doubt have been astopihed
proceedings had they not all been turned with their
faces to the wall previous to the of the
sorce
On the Nth Of April vessel sailed hence Kane
schatska, with portion of the Of the DIANA and
the 18th, the clipper ship Young America Cap
tain Babccck from Shanghai, came into this harbor,
she having been induced TO come to the relief Of
the Russians through the interpotion Of their Consul
at Hong Kong The Russians $50 in number, imm sdi-
aely embarked with their provisions, &c, but in
sequence of the revolt Of the whole and descrion of
part Of the crew of the young America, they were
obliged 10 return shore, when the Young America
| got under weigh for Shanghai.
On the goth, the French corvette Constantine from
Shanghae anchored in the mouth OF the harbor, She
boarded by Of the vcegoyernors, spies, inter
prefers and secretaries who offered Them wood and water
and desired them TO leave The officers wished to
shore but not permitted to land. They, however,
made slight survey and seundings in the harbor On
the approach Of their boats TO the shore all the
soer these men made signs for hem o e
away On the following day she got under weigh for
Nangasak at which port as was informed by the Com
would probably present his communications The French
steamer Colbert arrived the 25th, and after having
obtained permission from the Governor of smoda who
furnished me with boat, went on board The officers
not little astonshed to find Americans esab.
hshed so soon after our treaty among the Japanese
They were offered wood and water, but declined, when
they were desired by the Japanese to leave they weighed
anchor the next morning and put to without having
effected landing.
Immediately after the food simoda Admiral Poutia.
tine ordered from the Japanese large quantity OF cop
per, spikes sneahing timber &c. repair damages and
after the loss of the igate they commenced with what
had been ordered 20 build schooner Their order
increased to out the PLAN permission granted
by the Emperor Of Japan who sent fifty ship carpenters
to assist them and learn the art Of putting together
vessel after the European style Of naval architecture
When she launched, about fifteen thousand peopla
looked with wonder and admiration she glided
the stocks and kissed the water She called Heda
which IL the OF the bay where she built. She
Immediately fitted for sea, and the 10th instant
sailed for Of the Russian ports at the north. Vice.
Admiral Pouiatne, Captain Possie and Colonel Lossed
OF the marine artillery, r. NJ, were among the pas
sengcrs who left in the Heda.
The United states Shin Xncennes Cammndnre 10 lcers