Kanrin Maru

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  • Japanese: 咸臨丸 (kanrin maru)

The Kanrin Maru was the first ship to cross the Pacific Ocean with a Japanese pilot, doing so in the early months of 1860, as part of the first Japanese embassy to the United States.

The ship was a 292-ton, screw-driven corvette of Dutch construction. It set out from Yokohama along with the USS Powhatan on 1860/1/19 (Feb 10), bound for San Francisco. Captained by Katsu Kaishû and commanded by Navy Minister Kimura Kaishû, its crew of 96 Japanese was joined by a number of American sailors and one American officer, since no Japanese crew had ever made such a long journey. The Powhatan carried the three lead ambassadors and their direct entourage, while the remainder of the more than 170 members of the mission rode on the Kanrin Maru.

The Kanrin Maru was damaged in a storm during the voyage, and returned directly to Japan after receiving repairs in San Francisco, while the Powhatan continued onwards to Panama.

References

  • Gallery labels and pamphlet from exhibition "Samurai in New York." Museum of the City of New York. 25 June - 7 Nov. 2010.