Timeline

1. Dec. 12, 1852

   With Commodore Matthew C. Perry heading the East India Squadron, the U.S. steam frigate Mississippi reaches the first port of call on her expedition voyage. After crossing the Atlantic Ocean, she anchors off the town of Funchal on the Island of Madeira. The crossing took eighteen days after departure from Norfolk, Virginia.

2. Dec. 14, 1852

   William Speiden, Jr., goes ashore with a party of officers to view the Madeira countryside by horseback.

   

3. Dec. 15, 1852

   The Mississippi departs Madeira for the Cape of Good Hope.

4. Dec. 17, 1852

   Sailing in sight of the Canary Islands, and with the northeast trade winds in her favor, the frigate logs as much distance by sail as by steam.

5. Dec. 18, 1852

   Speiden reports a school of finback whales playing around the ship in the evening. One whale keeps with the Mississippi for several hours while “making a very great show.” Flying fish and dolphins are also witnessed in abundance.

6. Dec. 22, 1852

   Late in the evening the crew views “the whole heavens to the southward & westward” lit up “beautifully, by the Zodiacal lights.”

7. Dec. 25, 1852

   Speiden’s first Christmas day spent at sea and away from home is observed on board as a holiday. Commodore Perry offers a toast to the officers.

8. Dec. 29, 1852

   Losing the advantage of the winds, the Mississippi switches to steam power.

9. Jan. 1, 1853

   The peaceful start of the New Year is broken in the wee hours when a sick crew member faints and falls overboard. He is rescued at sea. With the morning light, another accident on board endangers the life of a fireman who is cleaning machinery. He, too, is saved from his peril. The officers are treated to a special meal of mince pies and boned turkeys. Speiden’s father, William Speiden, Sr., the ship’s purser, raises a toast to Commodore Perry: “may the Expedition which he has undertaken be successful.”

10. Jan. 3, 1853

    The ship crosses the Equator.

11. Jan. 10, 1853

    The Mississippi reaches anchor off Jamestown Island, St. Helena, and the American Consul comes aboard.

    

12. Jan. 11, 1853

    Speiden joins a party that goes ashore to visit the grave site of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) and other landmarks related to the Frenchman’s time in exile at St. Helena. Napoleon’s actual remains were moved to Paris in 1840. When the ship continues on her way toward the Cape of Good Hope, Speiden makes notes about the day and the history of the island.

    

13. Jan. 24, 1853

    The Mississippi arrives at Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, Table Bay, Africa.

14. Jan. 27-Feb. 1, 1853

    Speiden makes visits to land while the ship is being coaled, repaired, and repainted, and 6,000 gallons of water are brought aboard.

15. Jan. 30, 1853

    Speiden attends worship services at Christ Church in Cape Town.

    

16. Feb. 1, 1853

    Speiden records personal observations of Seyolo (Siyolo) (c. 1813-1878), a chief of the Ndlambe Xhosa, and his young wife Nomise (Naomi), who are in confinement at Rochester Castle. Siyolo was sentenced to life imprisonment following capture in battle and was transferred to Robben Island in 1855. Speiden, meanwhile, praises the beauty of the scenery and abundance of crops, and visits Constantia, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa.

17. Feb. 2, 1853

    Seven men desert ship at Cape Town.

    

18. Feb. 3, 1853

    The Mississippi goes back to sea.

19. Feb. 18-23, 1853

    The Mississippi is at anchor at the island of Mauritius. The H.B. M steamer Styx and the screw steamer Mauritius arrive following rough passage. Speiden visits the countryside, the Old Church, and the botanical gardens, and socializes on shore.

20. Feb. 25-Mar. 10, 1853

    At sea.

21. Mar. 11, 1853

    The Mississippi reaches Point de Galle, Island of Ceylon [Sri Lanka]. Locals bring aboard “precious stones, jewelry, work boxes, shells and may other things for sale and trade,” including objects crafted from ebony and ivory.

22. Mar. 13, 1853

    Speiden visits a Buddhist temple ashore which is later pictured in the official report of the expedition. He notes “Having never seen one before I was quite anxious to see this, although I expect to see several more on our travel to China.”

23. Mar. 15, 1853

    Singapore. “There are some ten or twelve Chinese Junks in Port, the first I have ever seen.”

    

24. Mar. 20, 1853

    The islands of Nicobar and Sumatra are sighted.

25. Mar. 23, 1853

    At anchor in the Straits of Malacca, Malaysia.

26. Mar. 26, 1853

    Speiden visits on shore in company of some of the officers. They are guests at the home of a wealthy Chinese merchant known as Mr. Whampoa (Ho Ah Kay) (1816-1880), who served as admiralty contractor for stores in Singapore and was appointed the first Chinese Consul at Singapore.

27. April 6, 1853

    After passing through “an innumerable fleet of Chinese fishing craft” the Mississippi takes anchor in the Ladrone Passage, China Sea.

28. April 7, 1853

    The Mississippi reaches Macao [Macau] and Victoria, Hong Kong.

    

29. April 11, 1853

    Speiden receives his first letters from home since leaving the United States and is pleased that “all well and good news.”

30. April 12, 1853

    A Thespian Corps performance is given on board by members of the crew.

    

31. April 18, 1853

    Whampoa Reach, new Whampoa (Huangpu), southeast of Canton, China.

32. April 19, 1853

    The Saratoga hoves in sight and anchors further down the Pearl [Canton] River.

33. April 21, 1853

    Speiden visits Canton with four of his mess mates.

    

34. April 22-28, 1853

    The Plymouth, Saratoga, and Supply join the Mississippi at Macao (Macau).

35. May 2, 1853

    At anchor within sight of the Chusan (Zhoushan) Islands, East China Sea.

    

36. May 3, 1853

    Yan Tse Kiang (Yangtze) River.

37. May 4, 1853

    Shanghai, North China. The U.S. steam frigate Susquehanna and the U.S. sloop of war Plymouth are also at anchor off Shanghai.

    

38. May 9-10, 1853

    Commodore Perry transfers his command to the Susquehanna before the Squadron departs Shanghai. His goods are moved on board the Susquehanna, along with the transfer of several men, including Eliphalet M. Brown, Jr., William B. Draper and Wilhelm Heine, the daguerreotypist, telegraphist, and artist for the expedition. Their equipment is brought ashore with them, along with the entire ship’s band. Eliphalet M. Brown, Jr., (1816-1886), a photographer from New York, made daguerreotype plates, stills of scenery, and studies of people, many of which were converted to lithograph and published in the report of the expedition. Some of these images were later redrawn by William T. Peters and H. Patterson. Brown made approximately 400 daguerreotype images during the expedition and pursued an ongoing career with the U.S. Navy. William B. Draper set up the first telegraph system in Japan. Illustrator P.B. Wilhelm Heine (1827-1885) made sketches to create a visual account of the expedition. He was born in Germany and immigrated to New York City in 1849. He later served as a colonel in the 103rd Regiment of New York Volunteers during the American Civil War. Before departure from Shanghai, a large ball is held on shore by the American Consul.

    

39. May 23, 1853

    The Mississippi gets up steam and sets to sea in company with the Susquehanna and towing the Supply. Off Saddle Island (Nanyushan), Ninghau River, they sight sail of the U.S. store bargue Caprice from Hong Kong.

    

40. May 24, 1853

    General Orders No. 11 and 12 are read in the presence of all hands. General Order 11 warns the crew that the Squadron is approaching “parts of the ocean but rarely visited, & by consequence but little known” or navigated by Americans, thus all hands should adopt “every possible precaution to guard against accident” and “insure safety” as well as to keep lookout and bear arms in port and at sea. Commodore Perry is instructed to make particular exploration of the coast of Japan and adjacent continent and islands, to make linear perspective views of remarkable places, to take soundings at the entrances of river harbors, and obtain other information necessary for the construction of charts. In General Order 12 Perry warned that “the countries which the U.S. vessel Stationed in these seas are about to visit, are inhabited by a singular people, whose policy it has been during more than two centuries to decline all intercourse with strangers . . . . One of the duties enjoined upon one is to endeavor to overcome these prejudice[s ]by a course of friendly & conciliatory measure & to strive to convince the Japanese that we go amongst them as friends, not enemies. . . . In pursuance of these objects it will be requisite that every individual . . . should exercise the greatest prudence, forbearance & discretion in their intercourse with all with whom they may come in contact. . . . It will be in time to resort to extreme measure when every friendly demonstration shall have been exhausted.”

    

41. May 26, 1853

    The vessels reach harbor at Napa Riang (Naha), Loo Choo (Lew Chew, Ryukyu Islands, now Okinawa), Japan. A boat comes from shore bearing Japanese who signal for the Americans to depart. They remain. The U.S. sloop of war Saratoga arrives from Hong Kong and anchors in harbor near the other Americans.

42. May 27, 1853

    Speiden reports that the water is so clear he can see “coral on the bottom some twenty five or thirty feet deep.” Five Japanese boats come alongside with live provisions, including a bullock, some pigs, sheep, and chickens. Trade is refused until Japanese leadership has had opportunity to communicate with the Commodore.

    

43. May 28, 1853

    The acting Prince Regent makes a call on Commodore Perry. Sho Taimu was regent of Okinawa, a member of the royal family, and hereditary lord of Mabuni Village, south of Naha. The king of Ryukyu, Sho Tai (1843-1901) was a child at the time of Perry’s arrival.

44. May 30, 1853

    The U.S. store barque Caprice arrives from Hong Kong and supplies the Mississippi with cargo, coal, and bread.

45. May 31, 1853

    Some Americans go ashore and some Japanese visit the ship, bringing fish.

46. June 1, 1853

    Speiden goes ashore with officers to take a walk. They are followed by locals who are interested in the outsiders. A separate American exploring party is also on shore.

    

47. June 6, 1853

    Commodore Perry leaves the Susquehanna for shore with a party of officers to visit the Prince Regent at Sheuti (Shuri). Speiden does not accompany them.

48. June 9, 1853

    Following completed inspection of Squadron vessels, the Susquehanna goes under steam, takes the Saratoga in tow, and departs for the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands.

49. June 13, 1853

    The U.S. Plymouth arrives, bearing letters from the United States.

    

50. June 19, 1853

    Physician and Church of England missionary to the Lew Chew mission at Naha, Rev. Dr. Bernard J. Bettelheim, delivers a Sunday sermon on the topic of “Strangers.” After his time in the Far East, Bettelheim settled in the United States. He served briefly in 1863 as a surgeon with the 106th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War.

51. June 23, 1853

    The Susquehanna and Saratoga return to anchor.

52. July 1, 1853

    Speiden accompanies a few officers in a whaleboat up the Junk River and comes on board a Japanese junk.

53. July 2, 1853

    The Mississippi, Susquehanna, and Saratoga stand out of Naha Harbor and take the Plymouth in tow.

54. July 4, 1853

    The expedition members celebrate the seventy-seventh anniversary of American independence from Britain with a seventeen-gun salute.

55. July 6, 1853

    The crews of the vessels engage in target practice.

    

56. July 8, 1853

    The vessels come to anchor in deep water off Oragawa (Uraga), Bay of Jedo (Yedo) (Edo), near Jedo (Edo), Japan. Japanese boats approach, sign for the ships to depart, and unsuccessful, return to shore. Speiden writes that “they must certainly have all come to the opinion that we were a queer sort of people.”

    

57. July 9, 1853

    The four war ships are brought “in a line so as to bear directly upon the town.” Speiden notes that during this intimidating display of force they can see the grandeur of Mount Fuji clearly as the clouds clear in the evening. The official Narrative of the Expedition (1856) later states that “the question of landing by force was left to be decided by the development of succeeding events.” Perry keeps the ships at battle readiness and the crew “drilled as thoroughly as they are in time of active war.” A corps of Japanese artists approach by boat to sketch the strange American steam vessels. Kayama Yezaimen, governor of Uraga, arrives with other Japanese authorities to seek audience with Perry. These officials are informed that the expedition wishes to have a letter delivered to the Emperor of Japan. A messenger is sent to inform the Emperor of the presence of the war ships and the stated request. Negotiations regarding the letter and a possible meeting between Japanese and American representatives continue over the following days.

    

58. July 10-11, 1853

    Japanese boats keep close company with the American expedition vessels as they survey the bay.

59. July 12-13, 1853

    News comes that Commodore Perry will be received for purposes of presenting the letter from the President of the United States to officials appointed by the Emperor to negotiate with the Americans. A party surveys the island where the Commodore is to be received and dubs the small bay “Reception Bay.” Communication about the delivery of the President’s letter is carried on between U.S. commanders Franklin Buchanan and Henry A. Adams and Kayama Yezaimen, accompanied by interpreters.

    

60. July 14, 1853

    The Americans are received by the Japanese at Reception Bay. “When we landed” Speiden observes, “the Japanese to the number of six thousand were drawn up in lines along the borders of the Bay” with colorful banners and pennants flying. Speiden found the array a most beautiful, if warlike, appearance. Perry shoved off from the Susquehanna and landed as the American bands plays “Hail Columbia.” Perry’s men fall into file and march with him to the House of Reception, the building prepared for purposes of the ceremonial reception of the letter. Speiden is among them. Perry informs the interpreters that because it will take time to receive a response from the Emperor, he will go away and return the following Spring. Meanwhile the Americans will engage in surveying the bay for purposes of returning with many more ships in the future.

    

61. July 14-16, 1853

    Kayama Yezaimen visits the Susquehanna. He views the functions of a steam war ship and inspects the engine and armaments. He comes bearing gifts of lacquerware and is given in return a selection of choice garden seeds and cases of wine. Perry transfers his pennant from the Susquehanna to the Mississippi and proceeds up Yedo (Edo, now Tokyo) Bay.

    

62. July 17, 1853

    Crowds of Japanese citizens gather to witness the U.S. squadron leave anchorage and depart in stately fashion down the center of the bay. The Susquehanna tows the Saratoga and the Mississippi tows the Plymouth in procession.

63. July 25, 1853

    The Mississippi returns to Lew Chew.

64. July 27, 1853

    Tokugawa Ieyoshi (1793-1853) 12th shogun of the Tokugawa Shoganate of Japan, dies, ten days after Perry’s visit. He is succeeded by his son, Tokugawa Iesada (1824-1858). Iesada is in poor health and will leave 1854 negotiations with Perry primarily in the hands of his emissary Abe Masahiro.

65. Aug. 5, 1853

    Return to Hong Kong. Perry prepares to winter here and in Macao (Macau).

66. Aug. 10, 1853

    Blenheim Reach, near Canton.

67. Aug. 24, 1853

    Speiden leaves ship in a fast boat for Canton. His party stops on board the American clipper ship Star of the Union to attend the trial of members of her crew for mutiny.

    

68. Sept. 11, 1853

    The captain of a Siamese Man of War comes aboard “complaining of his men being in state of mutiny & that his life was in danger and asked for assistance.” Ten American marines go on board his vessel to inspect the crew.

69. Sept. 25, 1853

    The Susquehanna comes to anchor in Whampoa Reach.

70. Sept. 26, 1853

    Speiden celebrates his eighteenth birthday on board ship. The officers gather in the mess room to toast his health with a glass of wine. He and his father think of his younger brother, Theodore Speiden (1845-1878), celebrating his eighth birthday on the same day back at home.

    

71. Sept. 29, 1853

    Underway from Whampoa, the Mississippi hoists the Broad Pennant of Commodore Perry, and stands down the Canton River. They anchor at Cum Sing Moon (Chin-hsing-Men), north of Macao.

72. Sept. 30, 1853

    Perry temporarily transfers his command to the Mississippi (through December 19).

73. Oct. 4, 1853

    The Mississippi drops her colors to half mast to honor the death of Lieut. Joseph Harrod Adams (1817-1853) of the Powhatan. Adams, the grandson of President John Adams and nephew of President John Quincy Adams, entered the U.S. Navy as a midshipman in 1831 and became a lieutenant in 1843.

74. Oct. 7, 1853

    Adams is buried at the American Burying Ground (the Old Protestant Cemetery) on shore in Macao [Macau]. The funeral is attended by American, French, and Portuguese officers. Speiden makes note of what he finds to be shameful drunken behavior on the part of the marine guard on the return to the ship.

75. Oct. 22, 1853

    From Macao to Cum Sing Moon, joining the Powhatan.

76. Nov. 8, 1853

    Speiden visits friends at Macao Roads.

77. Nov. 21-28, 1853

    Speiden suffers from a violent fever and is bedridden on board.

78. Nov. 30, 1853

    Speiden is recovered from his illness and in the following days socializes on shore.

    

79. Dec. 17, 1853

    Underway from Macao to Hong Kong; returning to Macao Roads the next day.

80. Dec. 19, 1853

    Stood up the Canton River and pass the Bogue. Come to anchor at Whampoa Reach.

81. Dec. 24, 1853

    Speiden reports that thousands of dollars in silver is distributed among the vessels of the Squadron.

    

82. Dec. 25, 1853

    Speiden has Christmas dinner at the home of Mrs. De Silver in Hong Kong.

83. Dec. 29, 1853

    A thirteen-gun salute is fired at daylight in memory of the late Vice President of the U.S. William Rufus de Vane King (1786-1853); another seventeen guns at noon, and twenty-one at sunset. King, a U.S. senator from Alabama and former U.S. Minister to France, was the close companion of James Buchanan. Though very ill at the time of election, he was sworn in as vice president under Franklin Pierce in March 1853, dying just weeks into his term in office, on April 18.

    

84. Dec. 31, 1853

    Speiden notes: “The last day of the year—it ends quietly. A year hence, hope to be home.”