Junk Deserted (1853)

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: Saturday, December 3, 1853.

We have received from Capt. Johnson, of the whaleship Orozimbo, several specimens of Japanese chirography, written upon paper and strips of boards, of a curious character. It seems that Capt. J. fell in with a junk, off the Straits of Matsinai, drifting about at sea, deserted by her crew, and altogether at the mercy of the winds and waves. On boarding her, she was found to be laden principally with rice; but whither from or where bound, there was nothing about her from which a conjecture could be formed. She did not, however, appear to have been long deserted. 

The writings alluded to above were found on deck, secured to the masts, and were taken by Capt. Johnson with the idea that they might throw some light upon the occurrence which had occasioned her desertion. Such, however, is not the fact. We have submitted them to a Chinese scholar, who readily comprehends their meaning, and who finds they pertain to the religious worship of the Japanese, and are not a history of their disaster. The name of the city and a temple are conspicuous, and they were doubtless consecrated by the priests as a talisman against disaster to the vessel while performing a distant voyage.

Capt. Johnson took from the Junk in question, 333 sacks of rice and a few minor articles, when he was obliged to desert her by stress of weather, and leave her to her fate. Another Junk fell in with about the same time, deserted, he set fire to, to prevent her being run into in the night by vessels cruising in the vicinity.

The frequency with which Japanese vessels are fallen in with at sea either deserted, in distress, or which have lost their reckoning, indicates an imperfect knowledge of navigation among them truly surprising in this age of the world. They have even drifted entirely across the Pacific Ocean, and been lost on the northern coast of the American Continent. Others have brought up on this very island of Oahu, entirely lost in regard to their position, or the direction of their country. While others still are almost every year fallen in with at sea in all parts of the western Pacific, in every stage of distress and embarrassment. 

From these lost vessels quite a number of men have been rescued by whaleships and brought to this port, and an effort humanely made to return them to their country; generally, we believe, without success. After having visited a foreign country, and sailed in a foreign ship, they are not welcomed at home as the unfortunate should be, but are thrust out again to become homeless in the world, and wanderers among strangers. 

But judging from the signs of the times, a new light is about dawning upon exclusive Japan. Her old customs have already yielded to the intelligent pressure of outsiders. The cordon of boats, with which ships were formerly surrounded in their harbors has, for once, been removed, through the influence and firmness of Com. Perry. The contemptuous rejection of presents from foreign sources, so long adhered to, has at sat yielded to the same influences. But rifling as these indications may appear, considered in themselves alone, we regard them as the harbingers of a policy that will ultimately open Japan to the commerce, the religion and the fellowship of the civilized world.

The return of the American Squadron in the spring, to receive an answer to the President's letter, all be awaited with intense interest. The eyes of all Christiandom are turned in that direction; and the result of the attempt to open Japan has excited a deeper feeling among civilized nations, than any event of the present half century. If it fail, it will be renewed without a doubt; but if it succeed, as, we believe and hope it will, among the other benefits incident to such a result, we imagine the Japanese will learn a little more of the art of navigation, and that the next century all not find their Junks floating about upon the ocean deserted while staunch and strong, nor their wrecked men thrust out from their country when humanly returned to them by the benevolence of foreigners, whom they now affect to despise.