great object of the expedition, the departure from Shanghai was in a high
degree animating.
The Mississippi had preceded, as we have seen, the Susquehanna, to
which the Commodore had now transferred his flag, and joined the Supply,
which, after having grounded on the North Sand, sucoeeded fortunately in
getting off without damage. The squadron, which now prepared to sail for
Lew Chew, was composed of the Susquehanna, the Mississippi, the Supply,
and the Caprice, which was discovered standing in, as the other ships were
standing out, and was ordered to follow. The Plymouth was, as has just
been stated, left at Shanghai, as a guard of American property and interests,
and the Saratoga remained at Macao, to await the arrival of Dr. Williams'
the interpreter. These vessels were expected to follow, and join the rendezvous
at Lew Chew.
The Susquehanna, on reaching the mouth of the Yang-tse-Kiang, came
to anchor and remained there for three days. The Mississippi and Supply
took up their positions on either side. The junk belonging to Russell & Co.,
the American merchants, which had been hired to carry a cargo of coal to
the mouth of the river to be put on board the Mississippi, was, while under
the charge of its own commander and officers, lost on the North Sand. From
the anchorage of the Mississippi, GutzlafPs island could he seen some six
miles distant, and beyond it stretched the long uneven outline of Ruggles’
islands. The weather was alternately clear and rainy, and when the sun
did not shine the scene was particularly gloomy and oppressive to the spirits.
The muddy waters of the Yang-tse-Kiang, looking more muddy still in the
yellow light of a foggy atmosphere, and the dull constraint of a tedious
anchorage, presented a sad prospect to the eye, and a wearisome sensation to
the feelings, which made all anxious for departure.
The naturalists had an opportunity of gratifying their tastes in observing
a flock of small birds from the land, which hovered in and about the
ship. Mr. Heine, the artist, succeeded in obtaining several specimens
which had somewhat the appearance of the starling. He also caught a
graceful dove, of a light brownish color. A beautiful king-fisher was
brought on board, which had been caught by some of the sailors of the
Mississippi. Its plumage was exceedingly rich and charmingly variegated;
its long bill was of a bright red ; its wings were black; its body was of a
rich blue color, and its flossy neck was of a whitish cream tint.
The Susquehanna got under way at one o’clock on the 23d of May, followed
by the Mississippi with the Supply in tow, all bound for Napha, the
principal port of the Great Lew Chew island. In the course of the evening,
about six o’clock, the low range of islands known as the Saddles, and
inhabited by a sparse population of fishermen, was passed, the ships directing
their course to the north of them, where there is an open channel free
from shoals. The night was clear, with a full moon, and the weather was