Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Chapter XVII.
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possibly suffice for the 1200 miles which, according to
their calculations, yet remained. Hence it was necessary
once more to find land to take in water, and on the
27th the St. Peter’s prow was again headed for Aliaska.
They sailed north one degree and a half, and after a
lapse of three days they reached a multitude of high
islands, behind which the coast of the mainland arose
in the distance.
August 30, the St. Peter lay at anchor off the
Shumagins, a group of thirteen treeless, barren, and rocky
islands near the coast of Aliaska. The journal gives their
situation as latitude 54° 48′ N. and longitude 35° 30′ E.
from Avacha. While the latitude as here determined
has the usual error, referred to several times before,
the longitude has an error of 6½°. Among these islands
the first death on board occurred. It was the sailor
Shumagin, who, on the 30th, died in the hands of his
mates as they were taking him ashore. The islands
were named in honor of him. On the whole the
situation was most deplorable. Bering had fallen away so
much in his illness that he could not stand, and the
others that were sick were carried ashore, and lay
scattered along the coast, giving this a very sad and
sorrowful aspect. Confusion and uncertainty grew apace, as
those in command could not maintain their authority.
Waxel and Khitroff, the highest in command, bandied
words, whereas the situation demanded firmness and
vigor. The only one that preserved any manner of
self-possession and forethought was Steller. He
immediately went ashore, examined the vegetation of the island,
and collected a large number of anti-scorbutic plants,
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