Vitus Bering: The Discoverer of Bering Strait / XV (1889) Author: Peter Lauridsen Table of Contents / Innehåll | << Previous | Next >>
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AUTHOR’S PREFACE.

————

THROUGH the patronage of the Hielmstierne-Rosencrone
Institution, obtained in the summer of 1883, I was enabled to spend
some time among the archives and libraries in St. Petersburg, to
prepare myself for undertaking this work on Vitus Bering. I very
soon, however, encountered obstacles which unassisted I should not
have been able to surmount; for, contrary to my expectations, all
the original manuscripts and archives pertaining to the history of
Bering were written in Russian, and the latter in such difficult
language that none but native palæographers could read them.

I should for this reason have been compelled to return without
having accomplished anything, had I not in two gentlemen,
Admiral Th. Wessalgo and Mr. August Thornam of the telegraph
department, found all the assistance that I needed. The Admiral
is director of the department of hydrography, and has charge of
the magnificent archives of the Admiralty. He is very familiar
with the history of the Russian fleet, and he gave me, not only
excellent and exhaustive bibliographical information, besides
putting at my disposal the library of the department, but also had
made for me copies of various things that were not easily accessible
He has, moreover, since my return been unwearied in furnishing me
such information from the Russian archives as I have desired. For
all of this kindness, enhanced by the Admiral’s flattering remarks
about Denmark and the Danes, I find it a pleasant duty to express
my warmest thanks. To Mr. Thornam I am no less indebted.
Notwithstanding his laborious duties in the central telegraph office
of St. Petersburg, he found it possible week after week, often
eight or ten hours out of the twenty-four, to assist me in translating
the vast materials.

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