CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE ACCORDING GENESIS

HISTORY OF ALASKA.

CHAPTER IV.

DISCOVERY OF ALASKA.

Six years the grand expedition had occupied in crossing Siberia; no wonder subordinates swore and the imperial treasurer groaned. But now the devoutly wished for hour had come, the happy consummation was at hand. New islands and new seas should pay the reckoning, while the natives of a new continent should be made to bleed for all this toil and trouble.

The 15th of August 1740 had been fixed as the day of departure, but just as they were about to embark Captain Spanberg arrived from Yakutsk with the intelligence that an imperial courier was at hand with despatches requiring answers. This delayed the expedition till the 1st of September, when the double sloop with stores was despatched in advance. At the mouth of the river she ran aground, and the transfer of cargo became necessary, after which she was again made ready. On the 8th of September the expedition finally embarked. Bering commanded the Sv Petr, and Chirikof the Sv Pavel, the two companion vessels having been named the St Peter and the St Paul. Bering’s second was Lieutenant Waxel, while with Chirikof were lieutenants Chikhachef and Plunting. The double sloop was commanded by Master Khitrof and the galiot by second mate Rtishchef. Passengers on the double sloop were Croyère, Steller, the surveyor Krassilnikof, and the student Gorlanof. The vessels were all fitted out with provisions for a year and eight months, but the grounding of the double sloop caused considerable loss in both provisions and spare rigging.

In crossing the Okhotsk Sea the vessels parted company, but they all reached the harbor of Bolsheretsk in safety about the middle of September. Here they landed the two members of the academy for the purpose of exploring the Kamchatka peninsula, and took on board the mate Yelagin. The little fleet then passed round the southern end of the peninsula to the gulf of Avatcha, where the Sv Pavel arrived the 27th of September, and the Sv Petr the 6th of October. The sloop met with a series of disasters and was compelled to return to Bolsheretsk on the 8th of October, and to remain there for the winter. The galiot also returned for the winter, unable to weather Cape Lopatka so late in the season, and this rendered it necessary to transport supplies overland from Bolsheretsk to Avatcha during the winter, an operation attended with great difficulties and loss. Bering approved of the selection of Avatcha Bay as a harbor, by Yelagin, it being the best on the coast. A few buildings had been erected, and to these the commander proceeded at once to add a church. The place was named Petropavlovsk.

Beaching his vessels for the winter, Bering secured the services of the natives for the transportation of supplies from Bolsheretsk, and then distributed his command in small detachments, requiring them to live for the most part on such game and fish as they could catch. Removed from the interference of local authorities, which had been troublesome at Okhotsk, Bering passed a quiet winter and concluded the final preparations for sea in accordance with his plans. Croyère and Steller joined him in the spring; and with the opening of navigation, in accordance with instructions, on the 4th of May 1741 the commander assembled his officers, including the astronomer, for general consultation. Each present was to give his views, and a majority was to decide. All were of opinion that the unknown shore lay either due east or north-east; but this sensible decision, the adoption of which would have saved them much suffering and disaster, was not permitted to prevail. Science in Russia was as despotic as government. The renowned astronomer De L’Isle de la Croyère had made a map, presented by the imperial academy to the senate. That august body had forwarded it to Bering, and the author’s brother, present at the council, also had with him a copy. No land was set down upon this chart toward the east, but some distance south-east of Avatcha Bay, between latitudes 46° and 47°, there was a coast extending about 15° of longitude from west to east. The land was drawn in such a manner as to indicate that it had been sighted on the south side, and the words Terres vues par dom Jean de Gama were inscribed upon it. The absurdity of sending out an expedition for discovery, requiring it to follow mapped imagination, seems never to have occurred to the Solons of St Petersburg, and this when they knew well enough that the continents were not far asunder toward the north.

The mariners thought it safer to go by the chart, which after all must have some influence on the land, the drawing having passed through such imperial processes, and hence arrived at the fatal determination to steer first south-east by east in search of the Land of Gama, and after discovering it to take its northern coast as a guide to the north-east or east; but if no land was found in latitude 46°, then the course should be altered to north-east by east till land was made. The coast once found, it was to be followed to latitude 65°. The action of the several officers under every conceivable emergency was determined by the council. All were to return to Avatcha Bay by the end of September. Yet with all the care, when put into practice, their plans were found to be exceedingly de­fective. Steller went on the Sv Petr, while Croyère was attached to Chirikof’s vessel. The crew of the Sv Petr numbered seventy-seven, and that of the Sv Pavel seventy-five. Both ships had still provisions left for five and a half months, with one hundred barrels of water, sixteen cords of wood, and two boats each.

On the morning of the 4th of June 1741, after solemn prayer, the two ships sailed from Avatcha Bay with a light southerly wind. Noon of the second day saw them thirty miles from Light House Point. Chirikof, who was about five miles to windward of Bering, noticed that the latter steered southward of the course proposed. Signalling Bering that he would speak with him, Chirikof proposed that they should keep as near together as possible to avoid final separation in a fog. He also spoke of the manifest change from the agreed course, whereat Bering appeared annoyed, and when later Chirikof signalled to speak with him a second time the commander paid no attention to it. As we proceed we shall find serious defects in the character of both of these men. For a commander-in-chief, Bering was becoming timid, and perhaps too much bound to instructions; for a subordinate, Chirikof was dogmatic and obstinate. About noon of the 6th of June Bering ordered Chirikof to proceed in advance, trusting apparently more to his skill and judgment than to his own. On the 7th of June the wind changed to the north and increased. In the course of the next few days the two ships approached each other occasionally and exchanged signals, but Chirikof remained in the lead. In the afternoon of the 12th they found themselves in latitude 46,° and came to the conclusion that there was no Gama Land such as given in the chart, and at 3 o’clock they changed their course to east by north. On the 14th the wind drew ahead, blowing strong from the eastward, and compelling to a more northerly course for nearly two days, till they found themselves in latitude 48°, Bering keeping to the windward of Chirikof on account of the better sailing qualities of his vessel. Chirikof finally signalled for instructions, and asked how long the northerly course was to be pursued. Bering’s answer was to follow him and he would see.

A few hours later the course was changed to the southward. On the 15th the wind was a little more to the south and the northerly course was resumed. On the 18th, in the morning, Bering informed Chirikof that as they were in latitude 49° they must turn south, but Chirikof said that with the prevailing wind a change was impracticable, and it would be best to continue the course east by north. The following day in latitude 49° 30' the wind increased, blowing violently from the east, and sails were shortened during the night. Next morning Chirikof sighted the Sv Petr about three leagues to the north, but Bering did not see him, and thinking himself to the windward shaped his course to the north-west. This manoeuvre completed the separation of the vessels forever. Bering made every effort to find the consort; he spent three days between latitudes 50° and 51°, and finally sailed south­east as far as 45°, but all in vain. Chirikof had taken an easterly course and his subsequent movements were entirely distinct from those of his commander.

First let us follow the fortunes of Chirikof, who must ever be regarded as the hero of this expedition.

After losing sight of the Sv Petr, which he thought was to the northward, Chirikof allowed the Sv Pavel to drift a while, so that his commander might find him. Then he steered south-east in search of him, and after making two degrees of longitude to the eastward, on the morning of the 23d of June he found himself in latitude 48°. A council of officers decided that it was folly to waste time in search of Bering, and that they would prosecute the object of the voyage, which was to find land toward the east. Hence with light, favorable winds, the Sv Pavel went forward, occasionally shaping her course a little more to the north, until on the 11th of July signs of land were seen in drift-wood, seals, and gulls. Without slacking his speed, but casting the lead constantly, Chirikof proceeded, and during the night of the 15th he sighted land in latitude 55° 21'. Thus was the great discovery achieved. The high wooded mountains looming before the enraptured gaze of eyes long accustomed to the tamer glories of Siberia, were at once pronounced to belong to the continent of Amer­ica.

Day broke calm and clear; the coast was visible in distinct outlines at a distance of three or four miles; the lead indicated sixty fathoms, and the ship was surrounded by myriads of ducks and gulls. At noon it was still calm, and an observation gave the latitude as 55° 41'. A boat was lowered but failed to find a landing-place. In the evening a light wind arose, and the vessel stood north-westward along the shore under short sails. Toward morning the wind increased from the eastward with rain and fog, and the bright green land which they had found was lost to them again. At last, some time after daylight, high mountains once more appeared above the clouds, and at noon of the 17th the entrance to a great bay was observed in latitude 57° 15'. The mate, Dementief, was ordered to explore the entrance in the long-boat manned with ten armed sailors.

The party was furnished with provisions for several days, with muskets, and other arms, including a small brass cannon. Chirikof issued instructions to meet probable emergencies, and explained how they were to communicate with the ship by signals. The boat was seen to reach the shore and disappear behind a small projection of land; a few minutes later the preconcerted signals were observed, and it was concluded that the boat had landed in safety. The day passed without further information from the shore. During the next and for several successive days, signals were observed from time to time, which were interpreted to mean that all was well with Dementief. At last, as the party did not return, Chirikof began to fear that the boat had suffered damage in landing, and on the 23d Sidor Savelief, with some sailors, a carpenter and a calker, was sent ashore to assist Dementief, and repair his boat if necessary. The strictest injunctions were issued that either one or both of the boats should return immediately. Their movements were anxiously watched from the ship. The small boat was seen to land, but no preparation for a return could be observed. A great smoke was seen rising from the point round which the first crew had disappeared.

The night was passed in great anxiety; but every heart was gladdened when next morning two boats were seen to leave the coast. One was larger than the other, and no one doubted that Dementief and Savelief were at last returning. The captain ordered all made ready for instant departure. During the bustle which followed little attention was paid to the approaching boats, but presently they were discovered to be canoes filled with savages, who seemed to be as much astonished as the Russians, and after a rapid survey of the apparition they turned shoreward, shouting Agaï! Agaï! Then dread fell on all, and Chirikof cursed himself for permitting the sailors to appear on deck in such numbers as to frighten away the savages, and thus prevent their seizure and an exchange of prisoners. Gradually the full force of the calamity fell upon him. His men had all been seized and murdered on the spot, or were still held for a worse fate.

He was on an unknown and dangerous coast, without boats, and his numbers greatly reduced. A strong west wind just then sprang up and compelled him to weigh anchor and run for the open sea. His heart was very sore, for he was a humane man and warmly attached to his comrades. He cruised about the neighborhood for several days, loath to leave it, though he had given up the shore parties all as lost, and as soon as the wind permitted he again approached the point which had proved so fatal to his undertaking. But no trace of the lost sailors could be discovered. A council of officers was then called to determine what next to do.

All agreed that further attempts at discovery were out of the question, and that they should at once make for Kamchatka. With his own hand Chirikof added to the minutes of the council, “Were it not for our extraordinary misfortunes there would be ample time to prosecute the work.” The Sv Pavel was then headed for the north-west, keeping the coast in sight. The want of boats prevented a landing for water, which was now dealt out in rations; they tried to catch rain and also to distil sea-water, in both of which efforts, to a certain extent, they were successful.

On the 31st of July, at a distance of about eighteen miles to the north, huge mountains covered with snow were seen extending apparently to the westward. The wind increased and veered to the westward, with rain and fog. The course was changed more to the southward, and on the 2d of August they again sighted land to the westward, but it soon disappeared in the fog.

On the 4th of September in latitude 52° 30' they discovered high land in a northerly direction, proba­bly the island of Unalaska. Two days later, after considerable westing with a favorable wind, land was again sighted in latitude 51° 30'; and on the evening of the 8th, while becalmed in a fog, they were alarmed by the roar of breakers, while soundings showed twenty-eight fathoms. Chirikof anchored with difficulty owing to the hard rocky bottom, and the following morning when the fog lifted he found himself in a small shallow bay less than a mile in width and surrounded by tremendous cliffs, probably Adakh Island. The mountains were barren, with here and there small patches of grass or moss. While awaiting a favorable wind, they saw seven savages come out in seven canoes, chanting invocations, and taking no notice of the presents flung to them by the Russians. A few canoes finally approached the ship, bringing fresh water in bladders, but the bearers refused to mount to the deck. Chirikof in his journal describes them as well built men resembling the Tartars in features; not corpulent but healthy, with scarcely any beard. On their heads they wore shades made of thin boards ornamented with colors, and feathers of aquatic birds. A few also had bone carvings attached to their headdress. Later in the day the natives came in greater numbers, fourteen kyaks, or small closed skin boats, surrounding the vessel, which they examined with great curiosity, but they refused to go on board. Toward evening by slipping an anchor they got to sea, and on the 21st high land was sighted again in latitude 52° 36', probably the island of Attoo, the westernmost of all the Aleutian chain. Chirikof supposed that all the land he saw hereabout was part of the American continent; for when he pressed northward, indications of land were everywhere present, but when he turned southward, such indications ceased. The presence of sea-otters was frequently remarked, though they could not realize the important part this animal was to play in shaping the destinies of man in this region. The 21st of August orders were issued to cook the usual quantity of rye meal once a day instead of twice, and to decrease the allowance of water. As an offset an extra drink of rum was allowed.

Despite the scurvy and general despondency discipline was rigidly enforced, and finally, when the water for cooking the rye meal could be spared but once a Week, no complaints were heard. Yet cold, excessive moisture and hunger and thirst were making constant and sure inroads. By the 16th Chirikof and Chikhachef were both down with the scurvy, and one man died the same day. Five days later the captain was unable to leave his berth, but his mind remained clear and he issued his orders with regularity and precision. Midshipman Plunting was also unable to appear on deck. The ship’s constable, Kachikof, died the 26th, and from that time one death followed another in quick succession. On the 6th of October Lieutenant Chikhachef and one sailor died, and on the 8th Plunting’s sufferings were ended. The sails were falling in pieces owing to constant exposure to rain and snow, and the enfeebled crew was unable to repair them. Slowly the ship moved westward with little attempt at navigation. The last observation had been made the 2d of October, but only the longitude was found, indicating a distance of eleven degrees from the Kamchatka shore. Fortune helping them, on the morning of the 8th land appeared in the west, which proved to be the coast of Kamchatka in the vicinity of Avatcha Bay. A light contrary wind detained them for two days, and having no boats they discharged a cannon to bring help from the shore.

Of those who had left this harbor in the Sv Pavel less than five months before, twenty-one were lost. The pilot, Yelagin, alone of all the officers could appear on deck, and he finally brought the ship into the harbor of Petropavlovsk, established by him the preceding winter. The astronomer, Croyère, who had for weeks been confined to his berth, apparently keeping alive by the constant use of strong liquor, asked to be taken ashore at once, but as soon as he was exposed to the air on deck he fell and presently expired. Chirikof, very ill, was landed at noon the same day.

CHAPTER V.

DEATH OF BERING.1741-1742.