FISHER, United States Consul to General Robert H. Pruyn, December 8, 1862

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Sir: I have the honor officially to inform you, that on the night of the 22d ultimo the American bark Cheralie, of New York, on voyage from Hakodadi to Shanghai, China, struck a sand knoll, and has since stranded and become a total wreck, about one hundred miles due northeast from this port.

About midday of the 27th the governor of Kanagawa sent word to me that he had information that a vessel, supposed to be American, had gone ashore in the neighborhood of Cape Chi-o-yo-she, but he would know more about it on the morrow and duly inform me. On the 28th he received and sent word it was an American vessel, and that after having been driven into the breakers, had cut away her masts, and would become a total wreck; also that a government steam gunboat would be placed at my disposal on the next morning to proceed to the wreck for the relief and rescue of the crew. The next day was thick, foggy, and rainy, so that the vessel did not come down until about 5 o’clock p. m.

The governor immediately sent word to me of the arrival of the ten-gun boat Cho-yo-maroo, and requested to be informed whether I would go, and at what time. I told his messenger I would be on board at any hour he might name The hour of 9 a. m. the next day, 30th, was fixed upon, and I was promptly on board. On reaching the deck Captain Ya-ta-bo-re-ki-dro and his officers received me with the usual man-of-war civilities, and tendered to me the use of his cabin, which I accepted. At 9½ a. m. the ship weighed anchor and we stood down the bay, the wind blowing fresh northwest. Accompanying me I had taken Mr. Hogg, our marshal, and Mr. Connor, the pilot. The Japanese government also sent a high official from the custom-house department and one from the marine department, with an interpreter. The wind having increased to about half a gale, the ship lay at anchor at Uraga about five hours, and then steamed on, intending to anchor inside Cape King for the night. This purpose the high officer of customs and captain communicated to me, when I said I would not in any way control; that is your exclusive province, and beg you to do what you think best. I will state, however, that my anxiety is great to reach the wreck as early as possible, as it may be the captain, passengers, if any, and crew, may be suffering from sickness, want, or injuries; and as my government is at all times particular to render the speediest relief to shipwrecked seamen, I hope as little delay will occur as is consistent with safety.

The captain immediately concluded to keep on through the night. As we got outside the wind increased, and the sea off Capes King and Blanco was very rough; still we steamed on, and at daylight, the 1st of December instant, had made but about thirty miles beyond the last-named cape. We continued on our course—wind still freshening more and more—until, finding we made no headway, the order was given, 12 m., “about ship,” and returning fifteen miles, we anchored at 3 p. m. opposite the village Comi-ma-to. There we lay twenty-seven hours. Providentially the wind abated during the night and through the forenoon of the 2d, and at 4 p. m. we again got under way. The night was comparatively calm; at 6 o’clock on the morning of the 3d we found ourselves directly opposite the wreck, about three miles distant.

At seven the vessel came to an anchor within two miles of the wreck, lowered the captain’s gig, and with three of the highest Japanese officials, the interpreter, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Connor, and myself, started to go to the wreck. We had gone within three-fourths of a mile of it, when it became evident that it would be madness to go nearer, as the current and breakers would inevitably swamp us.

We then made for the entrance, three miles distant, through the mouth of the river Tone-gawa, immediately north of the point marked on Perry’s chart Sandy Hook, or Cape Chio-yo-shi. On our way, about midway, we met a Japanese surf-boat, and transferred the Japanese officers and myself to the same, Mr. Hogg and Mr. Connor returning temporarily to the ship.

This entrance is dangerous, being through a heavy surf, almost constantly breaking all the way across the channel; but after a hard pull we got through, reached calm water and the fishing village of Chi-yo-shi, province of Si-mo-o-sa. Here I was taken to the residence of the had man of the village, and treated to tea.

After certain official inquiries were made, we again took boat and proceeded up the river about three miles, when we again debarked. From thence we walked through delightfully shaded groves, and hedged road-ways, to the temple Gin-gin. Just before reaching it, my eyes were delighted with beholding, floating to the breeze from a respectable flagstaff which had been erected for that purpose by the Japanese authorities, our dear old national ensign, and had the captain raise the flag on. As we entered the temple grounds, temporary buildings were seen on every side, and a large number of soldiers on guard; those on duty “turning out” at a carry as we passed through the entrance.

In the temple I found Captain Farrell, of the bark, and his officers and crew of fourteen men, all in tolerable health; one who had been saved from the breakers, and resuscitated from drowning, not as well as the others, but convalescing.

The captain then related to me, on the 22d ultimo, at noon, his observations were good in every respect; that they were then about forty-five miles from land; that at twelve o’clock at night, having just turned in, the second mate on watch, weather murky, cloudy, with all sail set, and wind fresh, he felt the ship strike on what turned out the next day to be a sand knoll, about two and one-quarter to two and one-half miles from the shore, a low sandy beach. He immediately sprung on deck, when she struck again, and through the darkness they could barely discern the outlines of the shore, and hear the dashing of the breakers; at once clewed up all sail, the ship still thumping very heavily. In this condition they lay all night. Next morning the wind increased, blowing them directly on shore into the breakers; the current, the captain says, being fully six miles per hour, north by west. During the day and that night the wind increased to a gale, and they expected the vessel to go to pieces every moment. The next day, 24th, the ship had driven in still more and more, when, to lighten her up, they cut away the fore and main mast, and were in the act of cutting away the mizzen, when the wind and a lurch of the vessel broke it off by the head, and all came down with a crash, but no one injured, though narrowly escaping; also threw overboard heavy cables, except fifteen fathoms. The ship then lightened up, so that the wind took her right into the breakers, where she became hard and fast in the sand, and would have gone all to pieces but for her remarkably strong build. We then walked to the wreck, and found her lying head on, about three miles north of the channel of the river and cape above named, one hundred yards from the shore at high tide, and is a total wreck. The province is Hi-ta-chi; the town is To-ka-no-wara.

The captain and crew, by throwing overboard their trunks, boxes, and bags, saved most of their clothing, which were washed ashore; but no provisions.

The same day the captain abandoned all as hopeless; when I made arrangements with the Japanese officials sent with me, to wreck her if possible, and ship the cargo and saved articles from the wreck to Kanagawa, which I doubt not will be speedily and faithfully done.

That evening we endeavored to go to the ship; but finding it impossible to go through the breakers at the mouth of the river, we were compelled to return to the temple and spend the night. Had we gone into the breakers, we would undoubtedly all have been lost.

On the morning of the 4th, at ten, we again walked to the river; and embarking in boats at 1 p. m., were all in safety on board the steamer. At 2 p. m. we had again got under way, and headed for this port. At 4 p. m., the 5th, we arrived at this anchorage all comfortable and safe.

The danger of the current, the fear of the wind rising, and the uncertainty of the anchorage, impelled me to the speediest possible embarkation and geting under way; for had the wind risen as on the 1st, the steamer could by no means have remained by the wreck, but must have gone either thirty-five miles to the northward, or seventy-five miles to the south, to find any sort of a secure anchorage or protection; and it might have been a week or two, or even three weeks, before we could have got on board of her. No sailing vessel, in my opinion, should venture within six to ten miles of this place; and with the wind east-northeast, north, or northwest, no ordinary steamer should venture nearer than from three to five miles. I think it one of the most dangerous places I have ever seen; and it puts one in mind of Squam beach more than any other place I now remember.

I have now to state to your excellency, with the greatest satisfaction, the true kindness with which the captain and crew had been treated. A temple was given them, and such food as the Japanese can afford. They had also a guard of about 200 men that the sailors should have the fullest protection and no accident befall them from the people.

As for myself and the party, I know not in what terms to express my gratitude to the officials sent by the government and the chief officials of the province when the wreck occurred, and the captain and officers, one and all of the ship, each vied with each other in administering to our wants. Wherever I went the utmost deference was paid me by officials and by the people, and the same deference and respect paid me as to the governor of the province.

Eggs, chickens, ducks, fruit, rice, oysters, sweet potatoes, and fish were supplied us in abundance and without charge.

I beg leave to thank the civil and naval officers, one and all, and the government, with all my heart, for their every act of kindness to the men and myself and party, and beg to ask your excellency to state so to the governors of foreign affairs and their excellencies the ministers of state.

This proof of friendship, this demonstration of good faith to foreigners, this undeniable attestation of intention to fulfil every treaty obligation and manifestation of their desire to filfil all the obligations of the most enlightened humanity will be regarded by the whole world as conclusive evidence of their desire to be coequal with the other civilized powers. Indeed, I cannot but regard this act, as it most assuredly is, an unparalleled demonstration of the rapid advance this remarkable people and government are making towards a full emancipation from exclusiveness which is to place them speedily in the front rank of nations, if not to make it and them a Christian country and people— a nation soon to be counted as among the first and most enlightened of the earth.

Again requesting you to thank the government and officers of the ship, each and every one of them, for their courtesy, kindness, and respect in behalf of our country and for myself,

I am, my dear sir, most respectfully, your obedient, humble servant,