Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-10

10Th, and the latter at New York on the 4th of
May The Saranac will be relieved early next |
year
Owing 10 the return of most OF The vessels OF
this squadron early in the year. and their reliefs
not arriving until late, the usual cruising has
been in great measure interrupted, the winter
season in that sea being unfavorable 10 extended
cruising.
The East India squadron, Commodore Joel
Abbot consists of the flagship, the soop Mace
DOMAIN, the steam frigate Powhatan, Captain Will
liam J. McCluney, and the soop-of-war Vandalia,
Captain John Pope. The store-ship John p.
Kennedy, transferred from the North Pacific ex-
i.lorng expedition, is stationed al Canton, under
the command OF Commander Oliver S. Gibson.
Commodore Matthew G. Perry. recently in com
mand OF this squadron, has returned 10 the United
States. The sleam-frigaie Susquehanna, Captain
Franklin Buchanan, arrived from this squadron
at; Phadel phia on the 10th of March; the stea
irgale Mississippi, Commander Sidney Smith
Lee, al New York, on the 23d OF April the sloop-
of-war Plymouth, Commander John Kelly, at Nor
folk, on the llth of January; and the store ships
Supply, Lieutenant Arthur Sinclar Lexington,
Lieutenant John J. Glasson; aud Southampton,
Lieutenant Junlus ]. Boyle, al New York, on the
18th aud 10Th Of February, aud the 3lst of March
respectively.
Ths reaty with Japan saving been ratified blythe
Senate, Commander Henry A. ADAMS was sent
out with il TO China and on his arrival Commo-
dore Abbot was directed 10 despatch a vessel-of-
war 10 Japan, tnat an exchange Oh TdtHcdlioH Oh
the treaty might be made with the Japanese
authorities. The Powhatan, Captain McCluney,
having on board Commander Adams, who was
duly empowered TO effect the exchange, reached
Japan safely and having accomplished his under
taking on the 2lst of February last, Commander
Adams returned 10 the United States. Ii was the
intention of Commodore Abbot TO have visited
Japan this year. but important matters al Shang-
hal, occurring at the lime OF the proposed visit,
prevented il.
The continuance Of the civil war in China has
required the uutirIng effort and activity OF this
squadron afford protection to the lives and pro-
perry Of American citizens Numerous hordes
Of pirates infes the Chinese waters, and Interfere
seriously with commerce IN that region. Commo-
dore Abbot has nj all times shown himself prompt
and judicious in the discharge Of the delicate
duties imposed upon him. Several engagements
have taken place between detachmens from the
American men-ofwar on that station and the
pirates, which have resulted most disasl rously TO
the latter. Many OF the piratica Junks have been
destroyed their denots on shore burnt, and num-
Der OF the pirates killed.
In these several encounters the officers and
men have conducted themselves gailantly, and
honorable mention Is made OF Lieutenans Pc
gram Preble, Rolando, E. Y McCauley, and
Sproston; Assistant Engineers Stamm and kel-
logg; Acting Masters Mates ]. p. Williams and
s r. Craig and Private Benjamin Adamson, of
the marine corps, who was dangerously wounded.
| deem this a proper occasion 10 suggest the pur-
chase or building of one or two steamers OF light
draught TO be used in the Chinese rivers, as indis
pensahle for the protection of the immense prop
erty belonging 10 citizens of the United States in
China
The steam frigate San Jacinto, Commander
Henry II. Bell, bearing the broad pendant Of Com
modore James Armstrong, sailed from New York
the 25th of October, TO relieve the Macedonian.
Commodore Abbot will return home III his flag
ship on the arrival ont of the San Jacinto. The
sloop.of-war Levani, Commander William Smith,
also sailed from New York on the 18th of Novem-
Der TO join this squadron. The Powhatan has
been ordered TO the United States. The Vandalia
Will also be recalled 80 soon as substitute can
be fitted out.
The survey and reconnaissance OF the Behrings
straits, the North Pacific ocean, and China seas,
has been continued, under the direction of Com
mander John Rodgers, with commendable activity
and satisfactory results. Early in September r,
1854. the vessel of the expedition, consisting OF
the Vincennes, Commander Rodgers; the steamer
John Hancock, Lieutenant Commanding Henry
h. Stevens the Porpoise, Acting Lieutenant
William King Bridge; and the Fennmore Cooper,
Acting Lieutenant William Gibson, sailed from
Hong Kong and proceeded TO the Bomin and Lad
rome islands, Loo Choo, and the islands 10 the
westward, for surveying purposes They re-
turned TO Hong Kong in February, 1855, with the
exception Of the brig Porpoise, which vessel
parted company with the Vincennes on the 2lst
of September, 1854, in mid-channel, between
Formosa and China, 10 the northward and west
ward Of the Pescadores Commodore Abbot was
instructed 10 the most diligent search 10 be
made for her. So long time has since elapsed
that the department has been, with reluctance,
compelled TO consider her lost. The fullest
confidence was reposed in her officers they were
all young, energetic and full Of professional pride
The service, 10 this calamity, has met with a
severe loss Commander Rodgers apprehends
that she was lest in very heavy typhoon Of great
force and intensity, which occurred about a month
after their separation, in which many vessels were
dismasted and greatly injured, and the Vncennes
narrowly escaped. The Porpoiso was 10 have
met Commander Rogers at the BONN islands
after performing ceran duties. Commander
Rodgers, after waiting there somewhat beyond
The appointed time, went in search Of her-visit.
ing Loo Choo and other islands and places where
he thought il poss bic she might have beeu driven
IN the gale, but without gaining any intelligence
Of her. Subsequently, the Fennimore Cooper
and the John Hancock have thoroughly ex plored
the Pescadores and round the island Of Formosa
but without success.
The expedition again left Hong Kong in March,
surveying The islands between Loo Choo and
Japan, the Kurile islands, thence TO Petropaulas-
Xxi, where the vessels separated, taking up differ
ent routes OF survey. The Fennimore Cooper
proceeded 10 Atcka, one OF the Aleutian islands
10 make inquiries IN relation 10 the fate OF the
officers and crew Of the whale ship Monongshela
which II IL supposed was Lost in the autumn Of
second passage, in Ion gitude Ia deg. west Dill
gent inquiry was made, and the islands Of Sc
goum and Amougha, which lie on each side Of
the passage, were thoroughly examined. At
Atcka are still several water-casks supposed 10
have belonged 10 the missing vessel but no It'd.
ings OF the officers and crew, all OF whom are
supposed TO have persisted with the vessel.
The Vncennes sailed from Pe,ropaulaskf and
entered Behring's straits, reaching the hsrbor of
Glessensppe, on the hsiatic side. Commander
Rodgers left AT this place a party, under Acting
Lieutenant John NJ Brooke, for observations
during bis absence further north. He then stood
10 the north for the purpose Of verifying the DO
sition OF land in about 70 deg north and IT'S deg.
west, placed upon the Admiralty charts by her
Britannia MaJesty's frigate Herald. Capt. KeIlett
TO examine, II possible, Plover island, reported
TO have been seen by the same officer, and then
endesvored 10 reach "Wrangel's Land,p as de.
scribed TO Wrangel by the natives as visible in
clear weather from Cape Yakin. Running over
the tail Of Herald shoal on which was not less
than is fathoms water, he passed Herald island
and stood 10 the Dortbward until he ran through
the position Of the land given on the Admiralty
chart, and came 10 anchor in 40 fathoms in lati-
tude ~ deg 05 min, longitude Ia deg 81 min
west. II was so clear that the horizon was ap-
parenty without limit. No land could be seen
from the royal yards and the water. as far as the
vision could reach was free from ice. He then
NW n