Mr. Bennet, acting master of the Susquehanna, says in his report: “Assuming the position of Napa in Great Loo-Choo island, as established by Beechy, to be correct, I find by the mean of my chronometers, that he has placed Ten-Fathom Hole, in Port Lloyd, five miles too far to the westward, and consequently the whole group is placed that much to the westward of its true position.”
SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR THE HARBOR OF SIMODA.
U. S. STEAM-FRIGATE MISSISSIPPI, _Honolulu_, October 26, 1854.
Vessels bound to the harbor of Simoda, to the southward and westward, should make Cape Idzu, from which Rock island bears E. S. E. ¼ E., distant about five miles; and if the weather is at all clear, the chain of islands at the entrance of the gulf of Yedo will at the same time be plainly visible.
Between Rock island and the main land, there are a number of rocks awash and above water, among which the Japanese junks freely pass, but a ship should not attempt a passage inside of Rock island, unless in case of urgent necessity, particularly as the northeasterly current, which sweeps along this coast, seems to be, at this point, capricious, both in direction and velocity.
Giving Rock island a berth of a mile, the harbor of Simoda will be in full view, bearing N. ¼ W., distant five miles.
Vandalia Bluff, on the east side of the entrance, may be recognised by a grove of pine-trees on the summit of the bluff, and the village of Susaki, which lies about one third of the way between it and Cape Diamond. Cape Diamond is a sharp point making out to the eastward of the entrance of the harbor.
Standing in from Rock island, you will probably pass through a number of tide rips, but not get soundings with the hand lead, until near the entrance of the harbor, when you will be in from fourteen to twenty-seven fathoms.
Should the wind be from the northward and fresh, a vessel should anchor at the mouth of the harbor until it lulls or shifts, or until she can conveniently warp in, as it is usually flawy and always baffling.
Approaching from the northward and eastward, a vessel can pass on either side of Oho Sima, from the centre, of which Cape Diamond bears W. S. W. ¾ W., distant about twenty miles.
Between Oho Sima and Simoda no dangers are known to exist; but the northeasterly current must be borne constantly in mind—particularly at night and in thick weather. Its general strength is from two to three miles per hour; but as this, as well as its direction, is much influenced by the local wind, headlands, islands, &c., neither can be relied upon.