May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. It is a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders and their history in the United States of America. Starting on May 30, 2013 History Education Hawaii, Inc., added this to our Hawaii History Blog Project. It is a Hawaii-centered historical blog focused on Commodore Perry's 1853-1854 expedition to Japan. All of the texts are transcriptions by volunteers from Hawaii-based news articles from The Polynesian (official organ of the Hawaiian government) and The Friend, published by Rev. Samuel C. Damon of the American Seaman's Friend Society.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

The Japan Expedition (August, 1853)


Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: Saturday, August 6 1853. Page 50

The United States squadron, under the command of Commodore Perry, consisting of the steam frigate Susquehana, Com. Buchanan, of nine guns, and 350 men; the steam frigate Mississippi, Com. Lee, of ten guns and 375 men; and the sloop of war Plymouth, Capt. John Kelly, were at last accounts, May 7, at anchor in the harbor of Shanghae. The North China Herald of that date says:

"It is understood that the steamers of the United States Japan squadron, now in port, will shortly sail for Japan, and be joined there by the other vessels of the squadron. Commodore Perry, we hear, will hoist his flag on board the Susquehana on Monday, May 9. He is accompanied by Dr. S.W. Williams, of Canton, as interpreter. The Peruvian bark Caprice has been chartered by the Commodore as a despatch vessel to the Japan Expedition."
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