Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 400

1841.

Coast of China and Corea.

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main, in 18 to 20 fathoms. There is a dangerous reef of rocks some distance from the land. At 8 A. M., the latitude being 38° 56′ N., and longitude 122° 15′ E., it bore north, being 1 or 2 miles distant. Squally weather with rain prevented any observations at noon, and deprived us of a further view of the land which appeared to trend northerly. The depth of water varied from 18 to 20 fathoms. We then altered our course for the north extreme of an island, passing between it and some remarkable rocks resembling junks under sail, and anchored to the eastward of the largest and westernmost of a group of 5 islands in 20 fathoms, half a mile from the shore, and well sheltered from westerly winds. The bearings were, the east passage E. N. E. to N. N. E.; village S. W. by S.; rocks to the north, N. W. by N.

The Blonde weighed from this anchorage at 9 o'clock a. M. on the 20th, taking the northernmost passage, and at noon was off south part of an extensive group of islands, being in latitute 39° 8' N., and longitude 122° 57′ E.; the soundings being 20, 23, and 24 fathoms. We then hauled to the northward, for a deep bay in which were numerous islands, on the eastern side of which our soundings gradu- ally decreased to 18, 12, 10, and 9 fathoms. We then hauled out, giving the island, which has numerous remarkable rocks off its south- ern end, a good berth, carrying 18 and 17 fathoms, and anchored on the eastern side. The latitude by account being 39° 20′ N., and longitude 123° 12′ E., about 2 miles off shore in 12 fathoms mud. This island affords good shelter from northwest winds. B.

The Pylades weighed from her anchorage in lat. 39° 2′ N., and long. 122° 49′ E., at 8 o'clock A. M., steering N. N. E., and at noon was in lat. 39° 10′ N., and long. 122° 54′ E., in 22 fathoms, the east- ern point of a group of islands bearing N. W., 3 or 4 miles. Steer- ing from this to the northward, we entered an inlet formed by the above group

group and others to the eastward. The high land of Corea was distant about 12 miles. Shoaling our water from 15 to 9 fathoms, we hauled to the eastward and anchored under the last mentioned islands.

The southernmost islands of the group are barren, with sharp pointed rocks appearing much like the Needles. We saw something resembling a fort, or walled town, on the main, at the distance of 5 leagues. The line of coast appeared to trend to the northeast. The flood tide set to the northward, at the rate of 34 knots, and the ebb to the eastward: high water at 8h. 30m.