navigation of the China sea, since so much has already been published on
the subject. I t may, however, be stated in general terms, that nearly the
whole expanse of sea from Borneo and Palawan across to Cochin China is
rendered dangerous by numerous coral reefs, banks and islands. Many of
these banks and reefs are below the surface of the sea, and although the hydro-
grapical surveys may have truthfully stated their depths when they were
taken, and reported a sufficiency of water for vessels to pass, it must not be
forgotten that such is the rapdity with which those little architects, the
coral zoophites, build up these foundations of future islands, that the work
of a few years may materially change the character and depth of the soundings.
With such obstructions the China sea cannot be navigated without
danger, and especially in stormy weather. Notwithstanding, thousands of
vessels go annually through its various passages in safety, while a disaster
occurs now and then only.
The surface currents are influenced by the prevailing winds, but the tides,
as in other parts of the world, are governed by some mysterious laws which
the wisdom of man has not yet entirely fhthomed. The vertical rise and
fall of the tide upon the coast of Cochin China varies from six to fourteen
feet, and the periods and duration of the ebb and flood are by no means
regular. In latitude 12°, on the same shore, there is but one tide in the
course of twenty-four hours. I t has been said that the tides in the tropics
rise and fall very little. Although it is granted that in high latitudes the
perpendicular flow and ebb is generally greater than in low, still there are
many examples of considerable tides in the latter. At the head of the Gulf
of Cambay, in latitude 22°, Horsburg states that the perpendicular depth of
the rise and fall of the tides is from thirty to thirty-six feet at the full and
change of the moon. So also, according to the same authority, in Surat
road, it is from twenty to twenty-one feet, and from fifteen to seventeen in
Bombay harbor. Again, in the Gulf of Martaban, which is far within the
tropics, the rise and fall of the tide, at the full and change of the moon, is
twenty-three and twenty-four feet, and off Rangoon bar about twenty or
twenty-one feet. In Gasper straits, within 2£° of the equator, there is
occasionally, from local causes, a rise and fall of sixteen or seventeen feet
on the spring tide, but this is rare in places so near the equator. These
instances, all from Horsburg, show that very considerable tides occur within
the tropics.
The observation of the Commodore in regard to the single tide in
twe'nty-four hours, on the shore of Cochin China, is paralleled by analogous
instances, also reported by Horsburg, who remarks: “ Although in most
places the tide ebbs and flows twice in every twenty-four hours, this is not
universally the case within the tropics; for among several of the eastern islands
the tide flows only once in twenty-four hours.” In many places, far beyond
the tropics, the tide likewise flows only once in twenty-four hours, particularly
on the southern coast of Yan Dieman’s land; but at Port Dalrymple, on the
north coast, the tide flows twice in twenty-four hours. The zodiacal lights
glowed in brilliant radiations almost every morning and evening during the
time the Mississippi was in the equatorial latitudes; and the chaplain, (Mr.
Jones,) who made this matter a subject of especial notice and study, had a
good opportunity of continuing his observations upon the phenomena of this
remarkable appearance.
On the morning of the 6th of April, as the ship was proceeding on her
course, vast numbers of fishing boats were descried as far as the eye could
reach. No less than two hundred and sixtv-nine of these little craft were
counted, at one time, from the poop. They were sailing in couples, about
ninety fathoms apart, before the wind, with a net extended between each
two. They were curiously rigged, having square sails set upon two or three
masts, which had, at a distance, somewhat the appearance of courses and
topsails, which they hoisted and lowered as they desired to graduate the rate
of sailing, in order to keep way with their consorts. These vessels were
engaged in taking a small fish similar to the sardine of the Mediterranean,,
and the same mode of netting them is pursued in both localities.
The appearance t>f these craft was a sure indication of the proximity of
land, and accordingly, at half past ten in the morning, it was sighted. The
ship continuing her course toward the roadstead of Macao, was anchored
at dark under the Ladrones. On the following morning she proceeded to
Macao roads, and after a communication with the shore, the course was continued
on to Hong Kong, where she finally came to anchor about sunset of
the same day.
Here were found the sloops-of-war Plymouth and Saratoga, and the
store-ship Supply; the two former of which, as the Mississippi let go her
anchor, fired the usual salute, which was duly returned from the guns of the
Mississippi; the Susquehanna, however, was nowhere to be seen. This
vessel had been designated by the government as the flag-ship of the Commodore,
who, much to his surprise and disappointment, found that she had
sailed a fortnight previously for Shanghai, having on board the United States
commissioner to China, the Honorable Mr. Marshall, as well as Dr. Parker,
the secretary of legation, and Mr. Forbes, the United States consul at Canton,
all of whom the Commodore desired particularly to see, before sailing
for Japan. No other course was left to him therefore, but to despatch the
Plymouth to the same port, with instructions to Commander Buchanan of
the Susquehanna to await there the Commodore’s arrival in the Mississippi,
which he meant should follow the Susquehanna as soon as she could be prepared
for the northern cruise; and fortunately Shanghai was at no great
distance out of the route to Japan.
On the following day the customary interchange of salutes was made
with the forts and the foreign vessels of war in port, and this was succeeded