Arrival of the Susquehana in Honolulu (1854)

Source: The Polynesian. Saturday, October 21, 1854.

The U.S. Steam Frigate Susquehana, with the Store Ship Southampton in tow, sailed from Hongkong on the 4th day of September last, bound to Simoda, Japan, where she arrived on the morning of the 15th. The Southampton arrived on the 17th, having parted her hawsers in a heavy blow on the 18th. The Susquehana remained in port about ten days, taking in coals and water, her officers having daily intercourse with the shore and town; of their impressions, a more particular account will be given below. The ship left Shinoda on 24th September, bound to Honolulu, (leaving in port the U.S. S. Frigate Mississippi and store ship Southampton, also bound to the same port, to sail in about a week,) where she arrived on the 17th October, having accomplished the entire distance under steam, with but very little assistance from her sails, a feat hitherto unparalleled. The Susquehana all remain at Honolulu about one week and then sail direct for San Francisco. The S. will have been four years in commission in December next; during the whole of this period she has been actively engaged cruising in the China and Japan Seas. - At one time, when placed at the disposal of the Hon. R. M. McLane, U.S. Commissioner to China, she ascended the Yang-tse-Kiang River as far as the City of Woohoo, a point never before reached by any ship, and seventy miles above the termination of the English survey of that river. The following is a

List of Officers of the Susquehana.

COMMANDER-FRANKLIN BUCHANAN.
LIEUTENANTS-Thos. T. Hunter, Napoleon Collins, J. Hogan Brown, Jno K. Duer, Geo. H. Cooper.
SURGEON-John S. Messersmith; Ass. do., Chas. F. Fahs.
PURSER-G.R. Barry.
CHAPLAIN-E.C. Bittenger.
MASTER-Reuben Harris.
MARINE OFFICER-Capt. W.B. Slack.
MIDSHIPMEN-R.L. May, E.C. Hawley.
ENGINEERS-Chief, S. Archibold; 1st Assistants, G.F. Hebard, H.H. Stewart; 2do., E. Filtrian, J.C. E. Lawrence; 3d do, T.A. Shock, A Henderson, S.D. Hibbert.
ACTING BOATSWAIN-Jno. Collins.
GUNNER-C.B. Oliver.
CARPENTER-John Green.

The following gentlemen also came as passengers:

COMMANDER-C. Ringgold, late Com. U.S. Ex. Ex. E.A. LeKoy, Bearer of Despatches, T.C. Stuart, Sec., U.S. Ex. Ex.

The following observations have been furnished us from the Susquehana, which will be of interest to our readers:

"The change we noticed on our late visit to the port of Simoda, Japan, was most striking to us all, when we reflect for a moment upon the exclusive policy and disposition of the people during our first two visits. Then the utmost suspicion and indisposition to foreign intercourse prevailed among all, particularly among the officers and higher classes. Even the ladies have lost much of the reserve and diffidence, which formerly characterized them, and prevented us from having a sight of them. Indeed, it was not unusual to see officers sitting in the houses with several ladies and gentlemen around them,- the former frequently playing a native guitar, or else earnestly engaged in conversation, eager to learn the English names of things, and the manners and customs of the people of our own country; and some expressing a warm desire soon to be able to visit the land of their new acquaintances. 

We were permitted to go to the country to any distance we wished, and there the peasants were found just as friendly and sociable as they were in the town, and always greeted us as friends.

There town of Simoda is situated upon a small bay of the same name, -the houses mostly well built, clean and comfortable. As soon as a vessel appears in the offing, one of the pilots appointed by Com. Perry, goes out and takes her into port. The harbor master then goes on board to ascertain whether the vessel is moored in a secure position, and to render any services in his power. The interpreters, Totonoski and Totsitchilo, with some other officers, soon after go on board also, through whom any thing can be obtained which the place affords. The former speaks the Dutch language to perfection, and the English very well; the latter speaks the Dutch only.  The harbormaster furnishes excellent wood and water at the shortest notice, and for the most reasonable prices.

In the town are numerous stores , containing silks, satins, beautiful crape, every variety of lacquered ware, porcelain of the finest quality, tobacco, cut and leaf, and numerous other manufactured articles. These the people are very willing to sell, and at fair rates. They are purchased directly from merchants, then sent to the custom house, where they are paid for in silver or American gold coin. Eggs, chickens, sweet potatoes, egg-plants and various other vegetables can also be obtained. 

The foreign articles they most prefer are the light wines, brandy, loaf sugar, pilot bread, salt meats, particular hams, all kinds of cutlery and fancy wares. Cloth and cotton stuffs most likely would find a market also, from the great fancy they take to those they saw.