Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Chapter XVII.
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as Steller only through a series of oaths and threats (for
thus p. 30 must undoubtedly be interpreted) could obtain
permission to make, without help or even a guard for
protection, a short stay on the island, his anger grew to rage,
which reached its culmination on the following morning
when Bering suddenly gave orders that the St. Peter
should leave the island. “The only reason for this,” he
says, “was stupid obstinacy, fear of a handful of natives,
and pusillanimous homesickness. For ten years Bering
had equipped himself for this great enterprise; the
explorations lasted ten hours!” Elsewhere he says derisively
that they had gone to the New World “simply to bring
American water to Asia.”
These accusations must seem very serious to every
modern reader. Unfortunately for Bering, his second
voyage is of interest principally from the standpoint of
natural history. It is especially naturalists that have
studied it. They are predisposed to uphold Steller.
Hence his account threatens wholly to undermine Bering’s
reputation, and as a matter of course, W. H. Dall, in
discussing this subject, finds opportunity to heap abuse upon
Bering. He says: “On the 18th of July, Bering saw
land. On the 20th he anchored under an island. Between
two capes, which he called St. Elias and St. Hermogenes,
was a bay where two boats were sent for water and to
reconnoitre. * * * With characteristic imbecility, Bering
resolved to put to sea again on the next day, the 21st of
July. Sailing to the northward, the commander was
confused among the various islands, and sailed hither
and thither, occasionally landing, but making no
explorations, and showing his total incapacity for the position
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