Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Chapter XV.
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some island or other in the ocean. Steller accuses Bering
of haying too much regard for his subordinate officers,
but in all likelihood these had made the countercharge
that he gave too much heed to the scientists. At any
rate, Bering has often been blamed for—in accordance
with his instructions—letting La Croyère take part in the
councils at Avacha. But we must not forget that Steller
was a hot-headed and passionate fellow who persistently
maintained his own opinions. From many points in his
accounts, it appears that during this whole expedition he
was in a state of geographical confusion; and even after
his return he seemed to imagine that the two continents
were separated by simply a narrow channel. He was
guided by observations of a scientific nature, and, as the
course of the St. Peter was no farther from the Aleutian
Islands than the appearance of seaweed, seals, and birds
indicated, he constantly imagined that they were off the
coast of the New World. The naval officers, on the other
hand, sought guidance in sounding; but as their course
carried them out upon the great depths of the Pacific, the
northern wall of which very precipitously ascends to the
Aleutian Islands, their measurements were of no
assistance, and in various points Steller was undoubtedly
correct. The principal reason for Steller’s complaint must
be sought in Bering’s illness, and it is easily perceived
that, if the scurvy had not at a very early stage
undermined his strength, his superior seamanship would have
secured the expedition quite different results than those
that were obtained.
After a prayer service, the ships weighed anchor on the
4th of June, 1741. Expectations on board were great,—
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