BILL ADAMS IN JAPAN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2215, 14 December 1920, Page 4

BILL ADAMS IN JAPAN.

ABOUT AN ENGLISH SAILOR’S • PLUCK AND ENDURANCE.

There lias just been set up on a bill overlooking the Japanese port of Yoksouka a memorial stone to the memory of a British seaman who, after a series of extraordinary adventures, been me a great personage in the land of cherry blossoms. His name was just Bill Adams, and his exploits easily eclipsed those of his fictitious namesake of Waterloo fame.

Six- ships were being fitted out by a wealthy Dutch merchant to sail to the Indies, where, in those days, treasure was popularly supposed to be found, and Adams contrived to get himself appointed to one of the ships as pilot. The expedition was not long at sea before misfortune overtook it. The commodore, as well as a large number of sailors, died of scurvy, while the ships . themselves were scattered by storms. Following this, a party which had landed on one of the I hie die Islands was raided by cannibals, and eight of the sailors were eaten alive. It was thereupon decided by the masters of three of the ships to sail for Japan. One ship alone reached that country — the Charity, in which Adams was serving.

Of her crew, only the redoubtable Adams and live others were free from illness; the remainder died one by one, the survivors being transferred from the ship lo a -splendid house on shore.

Being ignorant of the customs of the country as well as of its language, they perpetrated various blunders, On the fifth day after the landing, three Samurai came into Adams' room. Pointing to the door they repeated “.Enrol Suefuro!” several limes, and finally, failing io make him understand, they seized him and dragged him to the dooi^ To his horror he saw, under a Mied, large vats of boiling water, from which sleam was issuing in vast clouds, Calling to his shipmates, he immediately placed himself on llie defensive, flourishing both pistol and cutlass in the faces of the ■ Japanese, who he thought were contemplating pulling him and his parly lo death by boiling. As it turned out, however, the Japanese merely intended them lo partake of a bath. Through the treachery of a Portuguese interpreter, Adams was shortly afterwards hound by soldiers and carried into a room, in which were many la I lim'd windows. For several day* he was gazed at by a crowd of natives who, lie afterwards found, were allowed Ihe privilege of seeing him on payment of two coins each to the gaoler. The latter, it appeared, had advertised his captive as “a strange monster from. Europe!” Shortly after his release, Adams was scat for by the “Great King” of Japan, iyeyasn, who questioned him closely as to his presence in the country, and more especially as lo the country whence he had come.

But although he had been favourably received, Adams was sent back to prison, where from lime lo lime, reports came lo him that he was lo he crucified, this being the favourite mode of execution in Japan at that period. At last, however. Adams was set free, and seeing no hope of returning to England, he decided to lake up his old trade of shipbuilding. He entered into an agreement with the great lyeyasu, whereby lie became the latter’s mathematical adviser and counsellor in foreign affairs.

He built ships, and founded the trade relations between Japan and this country, which have lasted ever since.

To-day there are still families in Japan who claim descent from this bold Englishman, stories of whose exploits are told to the children in the schools.