Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1857-01-05
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-utS Oh tue lin OF september, III SIX Gays fOHl
Simoda, Japan She left Hong Kong on the 18th
OF August for Simoda, having on board Mr.. HarriF,
the United States Consul General to Japan. Dur
ing her trip she rescued quite anumber of Chinese
from fragments Of wrecks.
In one case, no less than hfty>6ve persons were
taken from government jHBk while she was 10
sinking condition The San Jacinio had very
pleasant visit TO Japan, and the intercourse be
tween the Commodore, his officers aud the Japars
csc authorities, of the most friendly character
It is said, however. to be the policy Of the Japan
csc Government to oppose with every obstacle in
its poser foreign intercourse and the arrival Of the
San Jacinto with Mr.. Harris on board was not de-
sired.
In an interview With the Commodore the question
asked if be could not take Mr.. Harris back
again. The reply was that his orders were 10
bring Mr.. Harris there ard leave him, and he should
obey them. Finding the Commodore thus decided,
the authorities immsd iately set about to prepare
a residence for the Consul General, and for that
purpose fitted Up one of their temples, near by
which flagstaff erected from which, as the
San Jacinto left the harbor the stars and stripes
we're displayed.
We SUTTON list of the officers of the San ia
cinto:
Commodore, James Armstrong Commander H.
n. Bell; Lieutenants, Il. Il. Lewis, J. c. William
son, John Rutledge, 5. P. Carter and r. T. Bowen;
Fleet Surgeon, w. II. Wood; Parser, j. o. Brad
ford; Captain Of Marines, J. G. Simms; Chief Engi.
neer, B. F. sherwood, Assistant Surgeons, r.
Daniel and j. +. Semple; Commodore Secretary,
A. VanderherEel; LIST Assistant Engineers,
Lawton aud f. s. de Luce: g do, do, w. B.
Brooks and II w. Spooner; 80 do, do, Il. G Vic
tor, G. H. Baker aud T Bites; Captains Clerk,
W S. Asst; Purser's Clerk, d. A. Eimond>; Boat
swain, B. johnson; Gunner, J c. Ritter; Carpenter,
A Poinsett; Sailmaker S. Seaman.
A DREADFUL TYPHooN-Loss OF A THOUSAND
LIVES.
The North China Herald, of September 10,
which came to hand by the last steamer, contains
the following account of terrible typhOOn and its
appalling consequences.
The Captain Of large junk from Bankok has
communicated the following note on the disasters
occasioned by a typhoon he encountered or the
l2th Of August on approaching the Chusau Islands
from the south:
1--WE formed ore of feet of twenty two junks
bound to various ports from Shanghae Of Tientsing
On the twelfth day of the moon the wind blew furi.
ously from the northwest and suddenly chopped
round from the south. Seventeen vessels soon
foundsred, and the remaining five were dismasted
We also lost both our double ruideTs. About one
thousand men persisted in that storm. In conse-
auence of assistance literally afforded by steamer,
we were saved from CTO"IilH duu surviving
U. S. S. SAN JAcINTo, SHANGHAE, Sept. 80 1856.
SIR: AS We got under weight early one morning
in July last, for Simoda, Japan, the key which fas
tens the propeller TO the shaft broke, and were
obliged to 90 up the Canton River 10 Whampoa, at
which place there is dry-dock, in order that such
rapairs as were needed to our machinery might be
reformed.
The Leyant had left a few days before for Amov
and Sharghae, having on board DR.. q. Parker, U.
s Commissioner TO China.
We were in dock about three weeks, and every
thing being in order, we left Hong Kong for Japan
on the 10Th Of August
Although the machinery is now pretty good
working order, il is doubtful il it will be for
than twelve months longer
The passage 10 Simoda was marked by circum-
stances of an annual and exciting nature. About
o'clock on the morning Of Aug. Is, the officer OF
the deck observed large number of boxes, &C.,
floating on the surface OF the water, on our port
tow; he reported the fact TO the captain, who
dered the ship to be stopped, and boat lowered
and manned, aud sent of to pick up some OF the
boxes During the absence of the boat every Que
wss specula'ing on what they might contain.
Visions OF fine silks shawis, &c, filed the i'm
agralions of expectant officers; but, alas, when
thew were opened they found to contain prsser
we'd Fichees a common fruit in China and which had
doubtless been portion of the cargo OF some uu-
lucky link. trading between Hong Kong and Shang-
haze which had been lost in one Of those terrible
gales called typhoOus, which at certain seasons OF
the year sweep across these seas The word tyr>
hoon is a corruption, believe, OF the Chinese tde-
pLtno-which means "a great wind" and is now
generally applied to these tremendous hurricanes.
About noon Of the same day, the same same OF
Geer deserted an Object distance of about three
miles on the part quarter, which on examination
proved to be on spar, waving his hand
above his head in order to attract attention. The
Roadway OF be ship was checked al once, and
boat was cent off m the direction OF the man -
Meanwhile our course was changed point or two
and we mGved slowly on. He was picked off the
SPAR which proved TO be the mast of junk with
its sail attached.
The poor fellow was hardly able to move. He
was brought on board, and under proper means
was thoroughly restored. When saw aim he was
much chilled very feeble, and bruised. Through
an Interpreter in the person of the Chinese servant
of Mr. Harris, we learned that his vessel had been
wrecked. and thirty persons lost aud that he alone
survived lie had been on the mast for three days
aud nights, and had not tasted food during that
time.
An hour or two later disabled junk was dis
covered directly on our course. AS we approach
ed, the Chinese on board set up shouts of j)y,
beat gongs and made other noises Sh- board.
co 10y LIEUT.. w liiliiuoOH NuUiI Alc NapbtNl OF lN'
vessel informed that be had 30 compass, and did not
know where he was She was dismasted and with
cut rudder. The people wanted to leave the junk,
but the Captain and owner did not.
Il was judged best, therefore, TO give them a
compass and leave them to make their way TO
some port on the coast best they could, As We
steamed away, leaving them on the broad ocean.
thew set up the most heart-rending cries. and with
their hands raised ia the air. implored US in their
unknown tongue TO take them off.
Two more wrecks were now visible in the hazy
horizon, on our starbosrd bow. We came up with
one about 4 p. NJ. She proved 10 be quite large
junk, with crew Of ninety men and also
twenty-five women, As drew we obsery-
ed them cooking their snppe- OF rice, on deck, and
they did not appear to be much excited at our APP
proach The officer who boarded her found that
they were making ruider TO supply the place of
the one lost; that they had good spar which
would stand as a jury mast and that with another
spar and sail they could make their way to port.
The Captain and women were al crying aud very
much frightened; they did not want TO leave; she
had valuable cargo on board They were fur
nshed with spar and sail, aud we got under weigh
again for the other wreck. We Overhauled her
about p ~; found her leaking and filing rapid,
". The Captain and crew wanted TO leave her
They were accordingly brooeht aboard with their
personal fleets. The junk had a cargo OF sugar
worth $4,000 The officer who brought of the
last load had orders to set fire to the vessel This
vas done, and We stood on our course.
At IL O'Clock that night, We overhauled another
junk; she was dismasled, and out OF water. IL
was furnished her, and so ended this days striking
events
These junks are immense lumLering vessels, with
large ewes Ia their bows. Their shape, that Of az
elbpse, truncaied at both ends. They are iurnish-
ed with large wooden anchors and in this hands OF
ignorant Chinese. undisciplined, sud often having
no compass, IL Is not be wondered at that large
numbers of them are lost
Three or four DAYS brought Us within sight Of
the bluff shores Of Jspan-thai country which has
lately excited so much attention. As entered
the hurbor OF Simoda, bost put of from the
shore, Sith the American Dag At the fore and tho