Thanks to the fact that nowadays more and more books are digitized we are
able to read books that are some times for decades no longer available for the
public for several reasons. That’s quite a pity while these books contains
useful information while the archives are destroyed, incomplete or nor
accessible.
P. 260: “The Japanese steam corvette, Candinmarruh, arrived at San Francisco on March 17th, 37 days from Jeddo. This corvette is the first native vessel ever permitted to leave the shores of Japan. It brings the information that the Japanese embassy was to leave for the United States, on the Powhattan, on February 11th.(1) The corvette is 250 tuns burthen, carries 10 guns, and her crew consists of 57 men. The people of San Francisco are delighted with the arrival of the Japanese, and are doing everything in their power to entertain their visitors, hoping thereby to stimulate the lucrative trade already commenced with Japan. A San Francisco writer, who visited the vessel, says: “The Candinmarruh sails pretty well, having made about 200 miles in one day. She was built in Holland for the Japanese emperor, and was sent out in her present condition about three years ago. She cost $70,000. This is one of several steamers composing the Japanese navy. She is the first one that has left the country for a foreign port. The Japanese sailors are au fait in all the usual work pertaining to the duties of a seafaring life. The boatswain is as thoroughly up in his work as any man could be in any service. There is no kind of sailor work that he does not thoroughly understand, and can also manage his men in a ship-shape manner. The crew run aloft and take in sail with the utmost alacrity. There were no punishments of any kind inflicted on the crew; everything going pleasantly and easily from the first. The government on board is mild and humane. The science of navigation is thoroughly understood among the officers, who learned it from the Dutch at the school of Nagasaki. We were received at the gangway by a marine wearing the uniform of the Japanese navy, viz: dark worsted material, consisting of frock and trowsers, with wooden sandals. Stepping upon the spar deck, we were at once struck with the neatness and order which everywhere reigned. The marines have a large square patch between their shoulders, upon which their peculiar rank is written in Japanese characters. We were introduced to the admiral. He is a benign, benevolent looking man, about 40 years of age. When we entered he was having his hair most artistically dressed with oils and pomatum, by one of his servants. Soon after, he appeared on deck, dressed in an unassuming but gentlemanly costume. At his side hung two swords, resembling ataghans. The officers on board a Japanese ship, from lieutenant up, are called ‘two-sword officers,’ and entitled by rank to wear two swords. These weapons are keenly sharp pointed, and beautifully polished. We noticed in the admiral’s cabin a picture of President Buchanan. The Japanese national Hag is displayed on board the ship at the mainmast and in the bows. This is a white groundwork with a red ball in the center. The admiral's flag floats from the mizen.”
Source
Scientific American. A journal of practical information in art, science, mechanics, agriculture, chemistry, and manufactures.
Note
1. This must be the Kanrin maru, bought by Japan in 1857. In 1990 was a replica built of the ship which was lost in a typhoon in 1871. See for more details dealing with this ship the link Kanrin Maru
P. 260: “The Japanese steam corvette, Candinmarruh, arrived at San Francisco on March 17th, 37 days from Jeddo. This corvette is the first native vessel ever permitted to leave the shores of Japan. It brings the information that the Japanese embassy was to leave for the United States, on the Powhattan, on February 11th.(1) The corvette is 250 tuns burthen, carries 10 guns, and her crew consists of 57 men. The people of San Francisco are delighted with the arrival of the Japanese, and are doing everything in their power to entertain their visitors, hoping thereby to stimulate the lucrative trade already commenced with Japan. A San Francisco writer, who visited the vessel, says: “The Candinmarruh sails pretty well, having made about 200 miles in one day. She was built in Holland for the Japanese emperor, and was sent out in her present condition about three years ago. She cost $70,000. This is one of several steamers composing the Japanese navy. She is the first one that has left the country for a foreign port. The Japanese sailors are au fait in all the usual work pertaining to the duties of a seafaring life. The boatswain is as thoroughly up in his work as any man could be in any service. There is no kind of sailor work that he does not thoroughly understand, and can also manage his men in a ship-shape manner. The crew run aloft and take in sail with the utmost alacrity. There were no punishments of any kind inflicted on the crew; everything going pleasantly and easily from the first. The government on board is mild and humane. The science of navigation is thoroughly understood among the officers, who learned it from the Dutch at the school of Nagasaki. We were received at the gangway by a marine wearing the uniform of the Japanese navy, viz: dark worsted material, consisting of frock and trowsers, with wooden sandals. Stepping upon the spar deck, we were at once struck with the neatness and order which everywhere reigned. The marines have a large square patch between their shoulders, upon which their peculiar rank is written in Japanese characters. We were introduced to the admiral. He is a benign, benevolent looking man, about 40 years of age. When we entered he was having his hair most artistically dressed with oils and pomatum, by one of his servants. Soon after, he appeared on deck, dressed in an unassuming but gentlemanly costume. At his side hung two swords, resembling ataghans. The officers on board a Japanese ship, from lieutenant up, are called ‘two-sword officers,’ and entitled by rank to wear two swords. These weapons are keenly sharp pointed, and beautifully polished. We noticed in the admiral’s cabin a picture of President Buchanan. The Japanese national Hag is displayed on board the ship at the mainmast and in the bows. This is a white groundwork with a red ball in the center. The admiral's flag floats from the mizen.”
Source
Scientific American. A journal of practical information in art, science, mechanics, agriculture, chemistry, and manufactures.
Note
1. This must be the Kanrin maru, bought by Japan in 1857. In 1990 was a replica built of the ship which was lost in a typhoon in 1871. See for more details dealing with this ship the link Kanrin Maru
