162
coming from Yokohama may here escape the current entirely by keeping well inshore, passing Omai-saki at a distance of from two to three miles, and then steering down towards Matoya Harbour. This route will be found of great advantage during the winter months when gales are very prevalent from W. N. W. By following it the water will be found to be much smoother, and as soon as Owari Bay is opened out the wind will hail more to the northward and will consequently be fair for shaping a course towards Oo-sima, before reaching which place it will in all probability die away entirely. I have no doubt this track will be more generally taken when the lighthouse (now in course of construction) on Omae-saki is completed, as it will occupy a shorter time and will be found less trying for both ship and passengers.
The main body of the stream now runs between the islands south of the Gulf of Yedo, a small branch, however, passes to the westward of Oo-sima (Vries) which island it rounds and flows out into the Pacific between it and Cape King. It is stated in the China Pilot that regular tides were observed about Mikomoto, (Rock Island) the flood setting W. S. W., and the ebb E. N. E., but this I think must have been an unusual occurrence, as I have visited that place some forty or fifty times, and have always found a current setting to the N. E.
Between Cape King and Inaboye-saki the Kuro-siwo is generally very strong, frequently running from two to three miles an hour. Ships bound into Yedo Bay from the northwards cannot be too careful between these two points of the coast, as during the summer months, the land is often enveloped in a dense bank of fog, and, at night time, were the proper allowance not made for the current, it might be thought that a vessel had got well round Cape Kawatsu, and the course would be altered accordingly, whereas she would be considerably short of her distance and she would probably find herself in a position of great danger somewhere to the northward of Cape King.
After passing Inaboye-saki the Japan Stream leaves
