First Discovery of Kamtchatka.
The
Peninsula of Kamtchatka was not discovered
by the Russians before the latter end of the last
century. The first expedition towards those parts was
made in 1696, by sixteen Cossacs, under the command
of Lucas Semænoff Morosko, who was sent against the
Koriacks of the river Opooka by Volodimir Atlafsoff
commander of Anadirsk. Morosko continued his march
until he came within four days journey of the river
Kamtchatka, and having rendered a Kamtchadal village
tributary, he returned to Anadirsk[5].
The following year Atlafsoff himself at the head of
a larger body of troops penetrated into the Peninsula,
took possession of the river Kamtchatka by erecting a
cross upon its banks; and built some huts upon the
spot, where Upper Kamtchatkoi Ostrog now stands.
That Peninsula conquered and colonised by the
Russians.
These expeditions were continued during the following
years: Upper and Lower Kamtchatkoi Ostrogs and Bolcheretsk
were built; the Southern district conquered
and colonised; and in 1711 the whole Peninsula was
finally reduced under the dominion of the Russians.
During some years the possession of Kamtchatka
brought very little advantage to the crown, excepting
the small tribute of furs exacted from the inhabitants.
The Russians indeed occasionally hunted in that Peninsula
foxes, wolves, ermines, sables, and other animals,
whose valuable skins form an extensive article of commerce
among the Eastern nations. But the fur trade
carried on from thence was inconsiderable; until the
Russians discovered the islands situated between Asia and
America, in a series of voyages, the journals of which
will be exhibited in the subsequent translation. Since
these discoveries, the variety of rich furs, which are
procured from those Islands, has greatly encreased the
trade of Kamtchatka, and rendered it a very important
branch of the Russian commerce.
The Peninsula of Kamtchatka lies between 51 and
62 degrees of North latitude, and 173 and 182 of
longitude from the Isle of Fero. It is bounded on
the East and South by the Sea of Kamtchatka, on the
West by the Seas of Ochotsk and Penshinsk, and on the
North by the country of the Koriacs.
Present State of Kamtchatka.
It is
divided into four districts, Bolcheresk, Tigilskaia
Krepost, Verchnei or Upper Kamtchatkoi Ostrog, and
Nishnei or Lower Kamtchatkoi Ostrog. |Government|
The government is vested in the chancery of Bolcheresk, which depends
upon and is subject to the inspection of the chancery
of Ochotsk. The whole Russian force stationed in
the Peninsula consists of no more than three hundred
men[6].
Population.
The
present population of Kamtchatka is very small,
amounting to scarce four thousand souls. Formerly the
inhabitants were more numerous, but in 1768, that
country was greatly depopulated by the ravages of the
small-pox, by which disorder five thousand three hundred
and sixty-eight persons were carried off. There are
now only seven hundred and six males in the whole Peninsula
who are tributary, and an hundred and fourteen
in the Kuril Isles, which are subject to Russia.
Tribute.
The
fixed annual tribute consists in 279 sables, 464
red foxes, 50 sea-otters with a dam, and 38 cub sea-otters.
All furs exported from Kamtchatka pay a duty
of 10 per cent. to the crown; the tenth of the cargoes
brought from the new discovered islands is also delivered
into the customs.
Volcanos.
Many
traces of Volcanos have been observed in this
Peninsula; and there are some mountains, which are at
present in a burning state. The most considerable of
these Volcanos is situated near the Lower Ostrog. In
1762 a great noise was heard issuing from the inside of
that mountain, and flames of fire were seen to burst from
different parts. These flames were immediately succeeded
by a large stream of melted snow water, which flowed
into the neighbouring valley, and drowned two Kamtchadals,
who were at that time upon an hunting party.
The ashes, and other combustible matter, thrown from
the mountain, spread to the circumference of three hundred
versts. In 1767 there was another discharge, but
less considerable. Every night flames of fire were observed
streaming from the mountain; and the eruption
which attended them, did no small damage to the inhabitants
of the Lower Ostrog. Since that year no flames
have been seen; but the mountain emits a constant
smoke. The same phænomenon is also observed upon
another mountain, called Tabaetshinskian.
Productions.
The
face of the country throughout the Peninsula is
chiefly mountainous. It produces in some parts birch,
poplars, alders, willows, underwood, and berries of different
sorts. Greens and other vegetables are raised with
great facility; such as white cabbage, turneps, radishes,
beetroot, carrots, and some cucumbers. Agriculture is
in a very low state, which is chiefly owing to the nature
of the soil and the severe hoar frosts; for though some
trials have been made with respect to the cultivation of
corn, and oats, barley and rye have been sown; yet
no crop has ever been procured sufficient in quality or
quality to answer the pains and expence of raising it.
Hemp however has of late years been cultivated with great
success[7].
Every year a vessel, belonging to the crown, sails from
Ochotsk to Kamtchatka laden with salt, provisions, corn,
and Russian manufactures; and returns in June or July
of the following year with skins and furs.
Since the conclusion of Beering's voyage, which
was made at the expence of the crown, the prosecution
of the New Discoveries began by him has been almost
entirely carried on by individuals. These persons
were principally merchants of Irkutsk, Yakutsk, and other
natives of Siberia, who formed themselves into small
trading companies, and fitted out vessels at their joint
expence.
Equipment of the vessels.
Most
of the vessels which are equipped for these expeditions
are two masted: they are commonly built without
iron, and in general so badly constructed, that it is
wonderful how they can weather so stormy a sea. They
are called in Russian Skitiki or sewed vessels, because the
planks are sewed together with thongs of leather. Some
few are built in the river of Kamtchatka; but they are
for the most part constructed at the haven of Ochotsk.
The largest of these vessels are manned with seventy men,
and the smallest with forty. The crew generally consists
of an equal number of Russians and Kamtchadals. The
latter occasion a considerable saving, as their pay is
small; they also resist, more easily than the former,
the attacks of the scurvy. But Russian mariners are
more enterprising and more to be depended upon in
time of danger than the others; some therefore are
unavoidably necessary.
Expences attending this trade.
The
expences of building and fitting out the vessels
are very considerable: for there is nothing at Ochotsk
but timber for their construction. Accordingly cordage,
sails, and some provisions, must be brought from Yakutsk
upon horses. The dearness of corn and flour,
which must be transported from the districts lying about
the river Lena, renders it impossible to lay-in any
large quantity for the subsistence of the crew during
a voyage, which commonly lasts three or four years.
For this reason no more is provided, than is necessary
to supply the Russian mariners with quass and other
fermented liquors.
From the excessive scarcity of cattle both at Ochotsk
and[8]Kamtchatka very little provision is laid in at
either of those places: but the crew provide themselves
with a large store of the flesh of sea animals, which
are caught and cured upon Beering's Island, where the
vessels for the most part winter.
After all expences are paid, the equipment of each
vessel ordinarily costs from 15,000 to 20,000 Roubles.
And sometimes the expences amount to 30,000. Every
vessel is divided into a certain number of shares, generally
from thirty to fifty; and each share is worth
from 300 to 500 Roubles.
The risk of the trade is very great, as shipwrecks are
common in the sea of Kamtchatka, which is full of rocks
and very tempestuous. Besides, the crews are frequently
surprised and killed by the islanders, and the vessels
destroyed. |Profits.|In return the profits arising from these
voyages are very considerable, and compensate the inconveniencies
and dangers attending them. For if a
ship comes back after having made a profitable voyage,
the gain at the most moderate computation amounts
to cent. per cent. and frequently to as much more.
Should the vessel be capable of performing a second
expedition, the expences are of course considerably
lessened, and the shares are at a lower price.
Some notion of the general profits arising from
this trade (when the voyage is successful), may be
deduced from the sale of a rich cargo of furs, brought
to Kamtchatka, on the 2d of June, 1772, from the
new-discovered islands, in a vessel belonging to Ivan
Popoff.
The tenth part of the skins being delivered to the
customs, the remainder was distributed in fifty-five
shares. Each share consisted of twenty sea-otters,
sixteen black and brown foxes, ten red foxes, three
sea-otter tails; and such a portion was sold upon the
spot from 800 to 1000 Roubles: so that according to
this price the whole lading was worth about 50,000
Roubles[9].
Furs and Skins brought from Kamtchatka and the New
Discovered Islands.
The principal furs and skins procured from
the Peninsula of Kamtchatka and the New Discovered
Islands are sea-otters, foxes, sables, ermines, wolves, bears,
&c.—These furs are transported to Ochotsk by sea, and
from thence carried to[10]Kiachta upon the frontiers of
Siberia; where the greatest part of them are sold to
the Chinese at a very considerable profit.
Sea-Otters.
Of all these furs the skins
of the sea-otters are the richest and most valuable. Those animals
resort in great numbers to the Aleutian and Fox Islands: they are
called by the Russians Bobry Morski or sea-beavers, and
sometimes Kamtchadal beavers, on account of the resemblance
of their fur to that of the common beaver.
From these circumstances several authors have been led
into a mistake, and have supposed that this animal is
of the beaver species; whereas it is the true sea-otter[11].
The female are called Matka or dams; and the cubs
till five months old Medviedki or little bears, because their
coat resembles that of a bear; they lose that coat after
five months, and then are called Koschloki.
The fur of the finest sort is thick and long, of a dark
colour, and a fine glossy hue. They are taken four
ways; struck with darts as they are sleeping upon their
backs in the sea, followed in boats and hunted down
till they are tired, surprised in caverns, and taken in
nets.
Their skins fetch different prices according to their
quality.
| At Kamtchatka[12] the best sell for per skin from |
30 to 40 Roubles. |
| Middle sort | 20 to 30 |
| Worst sort | 15 to 25 |
|
At Kiachta[13] the old and middle-aged sea-otter
skins are sold to the Chinese per skin from |
80 to 100 |
| The worst sort | 30 to 40. |
As these furs fetch so great a price to the Chinese,
they are seldom brought into Russia for sale: and several,
which have been carried to Moscow as a tribute, were
purchased for 30 Roubles per skin; and sent from
thence to the Chinese frontiers, where they were disposed
of at a very high interest.
Different species of Foxes.
There
are several species of Foxes, whose skins are
sent from Kamtchatka into Siberia and Russia. Of these
the principal are the black foxes, the Petsi or Arctic
foxes, the red and stone foxes.
The finest black foxes are caught in different parts
of Siberia, and more commonly in the Northern regions
between the Rivers Lena, Indigirka, and Kovyma: the
black foxes found upon the remotest Eastern islands
discovered by the Russians, or the Lyssie Ostrova, are not
so valuable. They are very black and large; but the
coat for the most part is as coarse as that of a wolf.
The great difference in the fineness of the fur, between
these foxes and those of Siberia, arises probably
from the following circumstances. In those islands
the cold is not so severe as in Siberia; and as
there is no wood, the foxes live in holes and caverns
of the rocks; whereas in the abovementioned
parts of Siberia, there are large tracts of forests in
which they find shelter. Some black foxes however
are occasionally caught in the remotest Eastern
Islands, not wholly destitute of wood, and these are
of great value. In general the Chinese, who pay the
dearest for black furs, do not give more for the black
foxes of the new-discovered islands than from 20 to
30 Roubles per skin.
The arctic or ice foxes are very common upon some of
the New-Discovered Islands. They are called Petsi by the
Russians, and by the Germans blue foxes.
|Pennant's
Synopsis.| Their natural
colour is of a bluish grey or ash colour; but they change
their coat at different ages, and in differerent seasons of
the year. In general they are born brown, are white in
winter, and brown in summer; and in spring and autumn,
as the hair gradually falls off, the coat is marked with
different specks and crosses.
| At Kiachta[14] all the several varieties sell upon an average
to the Chinese per skin from 50 copecs to |
2-2/3 Roubles. |
| Stone Foxes at Kamtchatka per skin from |
1 to 2-1/2 |
| Red Foxes from 80 copecs to |
1 80 copecs. |
| At Kiachta from 80 copecs to |
9 |
| Common wolves skins at per skin |
2 |
| Best sort per skin from |
8 to 16 |
| Sables per ditto |
2-1/2 to 10 |
A pood of the best sea-horse teeth[15] sells
At Yakutsk for |
10 Roubles. |
| Of the middling |
8 |
| Inferior ditto |
from 5 to 7. |
Four, five, or six teeth generally weigh a pood, and
sometimes, but very rarely, three. They are sold to the
Chinese, Monguls, and Calmucs.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.
WITH NOTES BY THE TRANSLATOR.
A Thirst after riches was the chief motive which
excited the Spaniards to the discovery of America;
and which turned the attention of other maritime nations
to that quarter. The same passion for riches occasioned,
about the middle of the sixteenth century, the discovery
and conquest of Northern Asia, a country, before that time,
as unknown to the Europeans, as Thule to the ancients.
|Conquest of
Siberia.| The first foundation of
this conquest was laid by the celebrated Yermac[16], at the head of a band of adventurers,
less civilized, but at the same time, not so inhuman
as the conquerors of America. By the accession of
this vast territory, now known by the name of Siberia, the
Russians have acquired an extent of empire never before
attained by any other nation.
Commencement of the New Discoveries.
The
first project[17] for making discoveries
in that tempestuous sea, which lies between Kamtchatka and America,
was conceived and planned by Peter I. the greatest
sovereign who ever sat upon the Russian throne, until
it was adorned by the present empress. The nature and
completion of this project under his immediate successors
are well known to the public from the relation of
the celebrated Muller. |Their progress.|
No sooner had [18]Beering and
Tschirikoff, in the prosecution of this plan, opened their
way to islands abounding in valuable furs, than private
merchants immediately engaged with ardour in similar
expeditions; and, within a period of ten years, more important
discoveries were made by these individuals, at
their own private cost, than had been hitherto effected by
all the expensive efforts of the crown.
Soon after the return of Beering's crew from the
island where he was ship-wrecked and died, and which
is called after his name, the inhabitants of Kamtchatka
ventured over to that island, to which the sea-otters and
other sea-animals were accustomed to resort in great
numbers. Mednoi Ostroff, or Copper Island, which
takes that appellation from large masses of native copper
found upon the beach, and which lies full in sight of
Beering's Isle, was an easy and speedy discovery.
These two small uninhabited spots were for some time
the only islands that were known; until a scarcity of land
and sea-animals, whose numbers were greatly diminished
by the Russian hunters, occasioned other expeditions.
Several of the vessels which were sent out upon these
voyages were driven by stormy weather to the South-east;
and discovered by that means the Aleütian Isles,
situated about the 195th[19] degree of longitude, and but
moderately peopled.
From the year 1745, when it seems these islands were
first visited, until 1750, when the first tribute of furs
was brought from thence to Ochotsk, the government
appears not to have been fully informed of their discovery.
In the last mentioned year, one Lebedeff was commander
of Kamtchatka. From 1755 to 1760, Captain Tsheredoff
and Lieutenant Kashkareff were his successors. In 1760,
Feodor Ivanovitch Soimonoff, governor of Tobolsk, turned
his attention to the abovementioned islands; and, the
same year, Captain Rtistsheff, at Ochotsk, instructed Lieutenant
Shmaleff, the same who was afterwards commander
in Kamtchatka, to promote and favour all expeditions in
those seas. Until this time, all the discoveries subsequent
to Beering's voyage were made, without the interposition
of the court, by private merchants in small vessels
fitted out at their own expence.
The Empress promotes all attempts towards New
Discoveries.
The present Empress (to whom every circumstance
which contributes to aggrandize the Russian empire is an object of
attention) has given new life to these discoveries. The merchants
engaged in them have been animated by recompences.
The importance and true position of the Russian
islands have been ascertained by an expensive voyage[20], made by order of the crown; and much
additional information will be derived from the journals and charts
of the officers employed in that expedition, whenever
they shall be published.
Meanwhile, we may rest assured, that several modern
geographers have erred in advancing America too much
to the West, and in questioning the extent of Siberia Eastwards,
as laid down by the Russians. It appears, indeed,
evident, that the accounts and even conjectures of the
celebrated Muller, concerning the position of those distant
regions, are more and more confirmed by facts; in the
same manner as the justness of his supposition concerning
the form of the coast of the sea of Ochotsk[21] has
been lately established. With respect to the extent of
Siberia, it appears almost beyond a doubt from the most
recent observations, that its Eastern extremity is situated
beyond[22] 200 degrees of longitude. In regard to the
Western coasts of America, all the navigations to the
New Discovered Islands evidently shew, that, between 50
and 60 degrees of latitude, that Continent advances no
where nearer to Asia than the[23]coasts touched at by
Beering and Tschirikoff, or about 236 degrees of longitude.
As to the New Discovered Islands, no credit must be
given to a chart published in the Geographical Calendar
of St. Petersburg for 1774; in which they are inaccurately
laid down. Nor is the antient chart of the New
Discoveries, published by the Imperial Academy, and
which seems to have been drawn up from mere reports,
more deserving of attention[24].
Position of the New Discovered
Islands.
The late navigators give a far different description
of the Northern Archipelago. From their accounts we
learn, that Beering's Island is situated due East from Kamtchatkoi
Noss, in the 185th degree of longitude. Near it is
Copper Island; and, at some distance from them, East-south-east,
there are three small islands, named by their
inhabitants, Attak, Semitshi, and Shemiya: these are
properly the Aleütian Isles; they stretch from West-north-west
towards East-south-east, in the same direction
as Beering's and Copper Islands, in the longitude of
195, and latitude 54.
To the North-east of these, at the distance of 600 or
800 versts, lies another group of six or more islands,
known by the name of the Andreanoffskie Ostrova.
South-east, or East-south, of these, at the distance of
about 15 degrees, and North by East of the Aleütian, begins
the chain of Lyssie Ostrova, or Fox Islands: this chain
of rocks and isles stretches East-north-east between 56 and
61 degrees of North latitude, from 211 degrees of longitude
most probably to the Continent of America; and in a
line of direction, which crosses with that in which the
Aleütian isles lie. The largest and most remarkable of
these islands are Umnak, Aghunalashka, or, as it is commonly
shortened, Unalashka, Kadyak, and Alagshak.
Of these and the Aleütian Isles, the distance and position
are tolerably well ascertained by ships reckonings,
and latitudes taken by pilots. But the situation of the
Andreanoffsky Isles[25] is still somewhat doubtful, though
probably their direction is East and West; and some of
them may unite with that part of the Fox Islands which
are most contiguous to the opposite Continent.
The main land of America has not been touched at by
any of the vessels in the late expeditions; though possibly
the time is not far distant when some of the Russian adventurers
will fall in with that coast[26]. More to the
North perhaps, at least as high as 70 degrees latitude,
the Continent of America may stretch out nearer to the
coast of the Tschutski; and form a large promontory,
accompanied with islands, which have no connection
with any of the preceding ones. That such a promontory
really exists, and advances to within a very small
distance from Tschukotskoi Noss, can hardly be doubted;
at least it seems to be confirmed by all the latest accounts
which have been procured from those parts[27]. That
prolongation, therefore, of America, which by Delisle is
made to extend Westward, and is laid down just opposite
to Kamtchatka, between 50 and 60 degrees latitude, must
be entirely removed; for many of the voyages related
in this collection lay through that part of the ocean,
where this imaginary Continent was marked down.
It is even more than probable, that the Aleütian, and
some of the Fox Islands, now well known, are the very
same which Beering fell-in with upon his return; though,
from the unsteadiness of his course, their true position
could not be exactly laid down in the chart of that expedition[28].
As the sea of Kamtchatka is now so much frequented,
these conjectures cannot remain long undecided; and it
is only to be wished, that some expeditions were to be
made North-east, in order to discover the nearest coasts
of America. For there is no reason to expect a successful
voyage by taking any other direction; as all the vessels,
which have steered a more southerly course, have
sailed through an open sea, without meeting with any
signs of land.
A very full and judicious account of all the discoveries
hitherto made in the Eastern ocean may be expected from
the celebrated Mr. Muller[29]. Meanwhile, I hope the
following account, extracted from the original papers,
and procured from the best intelligence, will be the more
acceptable to the public; as it may prove an inducement
to the Russians to publish fuller and more circumstantial
relations. Besides, the reader will find here a narrative
more authentic and accurate, than what has been
published in the abovementioned calendar[30]; and several mistakes
in that memoir are here corrected.
A voyage made in the year 1745 by Emilian Bassoff
is scarce worth mentioning; as he only reached
Beering's Island, and two smaller ones, which lie South
of the former, and returned on the 31st of July, 1746.
Voyage of Nevodtsikoff in 1745.
The
first voyage which is in any wise remarkable, was
undertaken in the year 1745. The vessel was a Shitik
named Eudokia, fitted out at the expence of Aphanassei
Tsebaefskoi, Jacob Tsiuproff and others; she sailed from
the Kamtchatka river Sept. 19, under the command of
Michael Nevodtsikoff a native of Tobolsk.
|Discovers the
Aleütian Islands.| Having
discovered three unknown islands, they wintered upon one
of them, in order to kill sea-otters, of which there was
a large quantity. These islands were undoubtedly the
nearest[31] Aleütian Islands:
the language of the inhabitants
was not understood by an interpreter, whom they
had brought with them from Kamtchatka. For the
purpose therefore of learning this language, they carried
back with them one of the Islanders; and presented
him to the chancery of Bolcheretsk, with a false account
of their proceedings. This islander was examined as
soon as he had acquired a slight knowledge of the Russian
language; and as it is said, gave the following report.
He was called Temnac, and Att was the name of
the island of which he was a native. At some distance
from thence lies a great island called Sabya, of which
the inhabitants are denominated Rogii: these inhabitants,
as the Russians understood or thought they understood
him, made crosses, had books and fire-arms, and
navigated in baidars or leathern canoes. At no great
distance from the island where they wintered, there were
two well-inhabited islands: the first lying E. S. E. and
S. E. by South, the second East and East by South. The
above-mentioned Islander was baptised under the name
of Paul, and sent to Ochotsk.
As the misconduct of the ship's crew towards the natives
was suspected, partly from the loss of several men,
and partly from the report of those Russians, who were
not concerned in the disorderly conduct of their companions,
a strict examination took place; by which the
following circumstances relating to the voyage were
brought to light.
Narrative of the Voyage.
According
to the account of some of the crew, and
particularly of the commander, after six days sailing they
came in sight of the first island on the 24th of September,
at mid-day. They sailed by, and towards evening
they discovered the second island; where they lay at anchor
until the next morning.
The 25th several inhabitants appeared on the coast,
and the pilot was making towards shore in the small
boat, with an intention of landing; but observing their
numbers increase to about an hundred, he was afraid of
venturing among them, although they beckoned to him.
He contented himself therefore with flinging some
needles amongst them: the islanders in return threw
into the boat some sea-fowl of the cormorant kind. He
endeavoured to hold a conversation with them by means
of the interpreters, but no one could understand their
language. And now the crew endeavoured to row the
vessel out to sea; but the wind being contrary, they
were driven to the other side of the same island, where
they cast anchor.
The 26th, Tsiuproff having landed with some of the
crew in order to look for water, met several inhabitants:
he gave them some tobacco and small Chinese pipes; and
received in return a present of a stick, upon which the
head of a seal was carved. They endeavoured to wrest his
hunting gun from him; but upon his refusing to part
with it and retiring to the small boat, the islanders ran
after him; and seized the rope by which the boat was
made fast to shore. This violent attack obliged Tsiuproff
to fire; and having wounded one person in the hand,
they all let go their hold; and he rowed off to the ship.
The Savages no sooner saw that their companion was hurt,
than they threw off their cloaths, carried the wounded
person naked into the sea, and washed him. In consequence
of this encounter the ship's crew would not venture
to winter at this place, but rowed back again to the
other island, where they came to an anchor.
The next morning Tsiuproff, and a certain Shaffyrin
landed with a more considerable party: they observed
several traces of inhabitants; but meeting no one they
returned to the ship, and coasted along the island. The
following day the Cossac Shekurdin went on shore, accompanied
by five sailors: two of whom he sent back
with a supply of water; and remained himself with the
others in order to hunt sea-otters. At night they came
to some dwellings inhabited by five families: upon their
approach the natives abandoned their huts with precipitation,
and hid themselves among the rocks. Shekurdin
no sooner returned to the ship, than he was again
sent on shore with a larger company, in order to look out
for a proper place to lay up the vessel during winter: In
their way they observed fifteen islanders upon an height;
and threw them some fragments of dried fish in order to
entice them to approach nearer. But as this overture
did not succeed, Tsiuproff, who was one of the party,
ordered some of the crew to mount the height, and to
seize one of the inhabitants, for the purpose of learning
their language: this order was accordingly executed,
notwithstanding the resistance which the islanders made
with their bone spears; the Russians immediately returned
with their prisoner to the ship. They were soon
afterwards driven to sea by a violent storm, and beat
about from the 2d to the 9th of October, during which
time they lost their anchor and boat; at length they
came back to the same island, where they passed the
winter.
Soon after their landing they found in an adjacent hut
the dead bodies of two of the inhabitants, who had probably
been killed in the last encounter. In their way the
Russians were met by an old woman, who had been taken
prisoner, and set at liberty. She was accompanied with
thirty-four islanders of both sexes, who all came dancing
to the sound of a drum; and brought with them a present
of coloured earth. Pieces of cloth, thimbles, and
needles, were distributed among them in return; and
they parted amicably. Before the end of October, the
same persons, together with the old woman and several
children, returned dancing as before, and brought birds,
fish, and other provision. Having passed the night with
the Russians, they took their leave. Soon after their departure,
Tsiuproff, Shaffyrin, and Nevodsikoff, accompanied
with seven of the crew, went after them, and found them
among the rocks. In this interview the natives behaved
in the most friendly manner, and exchanged a baidar and
some skins for two shirts. They were observed to have
hatchets of sharpened stone, and needles made of bone:
they lived upon the flesh of sea-otters, seals, and sea-lions,
which they killed with clubs and bone lances.
So early as the 24th of October, Tsiuproff had sent
ten persons, under the command of Larion Belayeff, upon
a reconnoitring party. The latter treated the inhabitants
in an hostile manner; upon which they defended themselves
as well as they could with their bone lances. This
resistance gave him a pretext for firing; and accordingly
he shot the whole number, amounting to fifteen men,
in order to get at their wives.
Shekurdin, shocked at these cruel proceedings, retired
unperceived to the ship, and brought an account of
all that had passed. Tsiuproff, instead of punishing these
cruelties as they deserved, was secretly pleased with them;
for he himself was affronted at the islanders for having
refused to give him an iron bolt, which he saw in their
possession. He had, in consequence of their refusal,
committed several acts of hostilities against them; and
had even formed the horrid design of poisoning
them with a mixture of corrosive sublimate. In order
however to preserve appearances, he dispatched Shekurdin
and Nevodsikoff to reproach Belayeff for his disorderly
conduct; but sent him at the same time, by the above-mentioned
persons, more powder and ball.
The Russians continued upon this island, where they
caught a large quantity of sea otters, until the 14th
of September, 1746; when, no longer thinking themselves
secure, they put to sea with an intention of looking
out for some uninhabited islands. Being however overtaken
by a violent storm, they were driven about until
the 30th of October, when their vessel struck upon a
rocky shore, and was shipwrecked, with the loss of almost
all the tackle, and the greatest part of the furs.
Worn out at length with cold and fatigue, they ventured,
the first of November, to penetrate into the interior
part of the country, which they found rocky and uneven.
Upon their coming to some huts, they were informed,
that they were cast away upon the island of
Karaga, the inhabitants of which were tributary to Russia,
and of the Koraki tribe. The islanders behaved to them
with great kindness, until Belayeff had the imprudence
to make proposals to the wife of the chief. The woman
gave immediate intelligence to her husband; and the
natives were incensed to such a degree, that they threatened
the whole crew with immediate death: but means
were found to pacify them, and they continued to live
with the Russians upon the same good terms as before.
The 30th of May, 1747, a party of Olotorians made a
descent upon the island in three baidars, and attacked
the natives; but, after some loss on both sides, they went
away. They returned soon after with a larger force, and
were again forced to retire. But as they threatened to
come again in a short time, and to destroy all the inhabitants
who paid tribute, the latter advised the Russians to
retire from the island, and assisted them in building two
baidars. With these they put to sea the 27th of June,
and landed the 21st of July at Kamtchatka, with the
rest of their cargo, consisting of 320 sea-otters, of which,
they paid the tenth into the customs. During this expedition
twelve men were lost.
In the year 1747[32] two vessels sailed from the Kamtchatka
river, according to a permission granted by the
chancery of Bolckeretsk for hunting sea-otters. One
was fitted out by Andrew Wsevidoff, and carried forty-six
men, besides eight Cossacs: the other belonged to
Feodor Cholodiloff, Andrew Tolstyk, and company; and
had on board a crew, consisting of forty-one Russians and
Kamtchadals, with six Cossacs.
The latter vessel sailed the 20th of October, and was
forced, by stress of weather and other accidents, to winter
at Beering's Island. From thence they departed May the
31st, 1748, and touched at another small island, in order
to provide themselves with water and other necessaries.
They then steered S. E. for a considerable way without
discovering any new islands; and, being in great want
of provisions, returned into Kamtchatka River, August
14, with a cargo of 250 old sea-otter-skins, above 100
young ones, 148 petsi or arctic fox-skins, which were all
slain upon Beering's Island.
We have no sufficient account of Wsevidoff's voyage.
All that is known amounts only to this, that he returned
the 25th of July, 1749, after having probably touched
upon one of the nearest Aleütian Isles which was uninhabited:
his cargo consisted of the skins of 1040 sea-otters,
and 2000 arctic foxes.
Voyage of Emilian Yugoff.
Emilian
Yugoff, a merchant of Yakutsk, obtained from
the senate of St. Petersburg the permission of fitting out
four vessels for himself and his associates. He procured, at
the same time, the exclusive privilege of hunting sea-otters
upon Beering's and Copper Island during these
expeditions; and for this monopoly he agreed to deliver
to the customs the tenth of the furs.
October 6, 1750, he put to sea from Bolcheresk, in
the sloop John, manned with twenty-five Russians and
Kamtchadals, and two Cossacs: he was soon overtaken
by a storm, and the vessel driven on shore between the
mouths of the rivers Kronotsk and Tschasminsk.
October 1751, he again set sail. He had been commanded
to take on board some officers of the Russian
navy; and, as he disobeyed this injunction, the chancery
of Irkutsk issued an order to confiscate his ship and cargo
upon his return. The ship returned on the 22d of July,
1754, to New Kamtchatkoi Ostrog, laden with the skins
of 755 old sea-otters, of 35 cub sea-otters, of 447 cubs
of sea-bears, and of 7044 arctic fox-skins: of the
latter 2000 were white, and 1765 black. These furs
were procured upon Beering's and Copper Island. Yugoff
himself died upon the last-mentioned island. The
cargo of the ship was, according to the above-mentioned
order, sealed and properly secured. But as it appeared
that certain persons had deposited money in Yugoff's
hand, for the purpose of equipping a second vessel, the
crown delivered up the confiscated cargo, after reserving
the third part according to the original stipulation.
This kind of charter-company, if it may be so called,
being soon dissolved for misconduct and want of sufficient
stock, other merchants were allowed the privilege of fitting
out vessels, even before the return of Yugoff's ship;
and these persons were more fortunate in making new
discoveries than the above-mentioned monopolist.
Voyage of the Boris and Glebb.
Nikiphor
Trapesnikoff, a merchant of Irkutsk, obtained
the permission of sending out a ship, called the
Boris and Glebb, upon the condition of paying, besides
the tribute which might be exacted, the tenth of all the
furs. The Cossac Sila Sheffyrin went on board this
vessel for the purpose of collecting the tribute. They sailed
in August, 1749, from the Kamtchatka river; and re-entered
it the 16th of the same month, 1753, with a
large cargo of furs. In the spring of the same year,
they had touched upon an unknown island, probably one
of the Aleütians, where several of the inhabitants were
prevailed upon to pay a tribute of sea-otter skins. The
names of the islanders who had been made tributary,
were Igya, Oeknu, Ogogoektack, Shabukiauck, Alak,
Tutun, Ononushan, Rotogèi, Tschinitu, Vatsch, Ashagat,
Avyjanishaga, Unashayupu, Lak, Yanshugalik, Umgalikan,
Shati, Kyipago, and Oloshkot[33]; another Aleütian
had contributed three sea-otters. They brought with
them 320 best sea-otter skins, 480 of the second, and
400 of the third sort, 500 female and middle aged, and
220 medwedki or young ones.
Voyage of Andrew Tolstyk to the Aleütian
Isles, 1749.
Andrew Tolstyk, a merchant of Selenginsk, having
obtained permission from the chancery of Bolsheretsk,
refitted the same ship which had made a former voyage;
he sailed from Kamtchatka August the 19th, 1749, and
returned July the 3d, 1752.
According to the commander's account, the ship lay
at anchor from the 6th of September, 1749, to the 20th
of May, 1750, before Beering's Island, where they caught
only 47 sea-otters. From thence they made to those
Aleütian Islands, which were[34] first discovered by Nevodsikoff,
and slew there 1662 old and middle-aged sea-otters,
and 119 cubs; besides which, their cargo consisted
of the skins of 720 blue foxes, and of 840 young
sea-bears.
The inhabitants of these islands appeared to have never
before paid tribute; and seemed to be a-kin to the
Tschuktski tribe, their women being ornamented with
different figures sewed into the skin in the manner of that
people, and of the Tungusians of Siberia. They differed
however from them, by having two small holes cut
through the bottom of their under-lips, through each of
which they pass a bit of the sea-horse tush, worked into
the form of a tooth, with a small button at one end to
keep it within the mouth when it is placed in the
hole. They had killed, without being provoked, two of
the Kamtchadals who belonged to the ship. Upon the
third Island some inhabitants had payed tribute; their
names were reported to be Anitin, Altakukor, and Aleshkut,
with his son Atschelap. The weapons of the whole
island consisted of no more than twelve spears pointed
with flint, and one dart of bone pointed with the same;
and the Russians observed in the possession of the natives
two figures, carved out of wood, resembling sea-lions.
Voyage of Vorobieff, 1750.
August
3, 1750, the vessel Simeon and John, fitted
out by the above-mentioned Wsevidoff, agent for the
Russian merchant A. Rybenskoi, and manned with fourteen
Russians (who were partly merchants and partly
hunters) and thirty Kamtchadals, sailed out for the
discovery of new islands, under the command of the
Cossac Vorobieff. They were driven by a violent current
and tempestuous weather to a small desert island, whose
position is not determined; but which was probably one
of those that lie near Beering's Island. The ship being
so shattered by the storm, that it was no longer in a
condition to keep the sea, Vorobieff built another small
vessel with drift-wood, which he called Jeremiah; in
which he arrived at Kamtchatka in Autumn, 1752.
Upon the above-mentioned island were caught 700
old and 120 cub sea-otters, 1900 blue foxes, 5700 black
sea-bears, and 1310 Kotiki, or cub sea-bears.
A voyage made about this time from Anadyrsk deserves
to be mentioned.
Voyage of Novikoff and Bacchoff from
Anadyrsk.
August 24, 1749, Simeon Novikoff of Yakutsk, and
Ivan Bacchoff of Ustyug, agents for Ivan Shilkin, sailed
from Anadyrsk into the mouth of the Kamtchatka river.
They assigned the insecurity of the roads as their reason
for coming from Anadyrsk to Kamtchatka by sea; on
this account, having determined to risk all the dangers
of a sea voyage, they built a vessel one hundred and
thirty versts above Anadyr, after having employed two
years and five months in its construction.
Narrative of te Voyage.
The
narrative of their expedition is as follows. In
1748, they sailed down the river Anadyr, and through
two bays, called Kopeikina and Onemenskaya, where they
found many sand banks, but passed round them without
difficulty. From thence they steered into the exterior
gulph, and waited for a favourable wind. Here they saw
several Tschutski, who appeared upon the heights singly
and not in bodies, as if to reconnoitre; which made
them cautious. They had descended the river and its
bays in nine days. In passing the large opening of the
exterior bay, they steered between the beach, that lies to
the left, and a rock near it; where, at about an hundred
and twenty yards from the rock, the depth of water is
from three to four fathoms. From the opening they
steered E. S. E. about fifty versts, in about four fathom
water; then doubled a sandy point, which runs out directly
against the Tshuktshi coast, and thus reached the
open sea.
From the 10th of July to the 30th, they were driven
about by tempestuous winds, at no great distance from
the mouth of the Anadyr; and ran up the small river
Katirka, upon whose banks dwell the Koriacs, a people
tributary to Russia. The mouth of the river is from
sixty to eighty yards broad, from three to four fathoms
deep, and abounds in fish. From thence they put again
to sea, and after having beat about for some time, they
at length reached Beering's Island. |Shipwreck upon Beering's Island.| Here they lay at
anchor from the 15th of September to the 30th of October,
when a violent storm blowing right from the sea,
drove the vessel upon the rocks, and dashed her to pieces.
The crew however were saved: and now they looked
out for the remains of Beering's wreck, in order to employ
the materials for the constructing of a boat. They
found indeed some remaining materials, but almost entirely
rotten, and the iron-work corroded with rust.
Having selected however the best cables, and what iron-work
was immediately necessary, and collected
drift-wood during the winter, they built with great difficulty
a small boat, whose keel was only seventeen Russian
ells and an half long, and which they named Capiton.
In this they put to sea, and sailed in search of an unknown
island, which they thought they saw lying
North-east; but finding themselves mistaken, they
tacked about, and stood far Copper Island: from
thence they sailed to Kamtchatka, where they arrived at
the time above-mentioned.
The new constructed vessel was granted in property to
Ivan Shilkin as some compensation for his losses, and
with the privilege of employing it in a future expedition
to the New Discovered Islands. Accordingly he sailed
therein on the 7th of October, 1757, with a crew of
twenty Russians, and the same number of Kamtchadals:
he was accompanied by Studentzoff a Cossac, who was
sent to collect the tribute for the crown. An account of
this expedition will be given hereafter[35].
Voyage of Durneff, in the St. Nicholas,
1754.
August, 1754, Nikiphor Trapesnikoff fitted out the
Shitik St. Nicholas, which sailed from Kamtchatka under
the command of the Cossac Kodion Durneff. He first
touched at two of the Aleütian Isles, and afterwards upon
a third, which had not been yet discovered. He returned
to Kamtchatka in 1747. His cargo consisted of the
skins of 1220 sea-otters, of 410 female, and 665 cubs;
besides which, the crew had obtained in barter from the
islanders the skins of 652 sea-otters, of 30 female ditto,
and 50 cubs.
Narrative of the Voyage.
From
an account delivered in the 3d of May, 1758,
by Durneff and Sheffyrin, who was sent as collector of
the tributes, it appears that they sailed in ten days as far
as Ataku, one of the Aleütian Islands; that they remained
there until the year 1757, and lived upon amicable terms
with the natives.
Description of the Aleütian
Isles.
The second island, which is nearest to Ataku, and
which contains the greatest number of inhabitants,
is
called Agataku; and the third Shemya: they lie from
forty to fifty versts asunder. |Account of inhabitants.| Upon all the three islands
there are (exclusive of children) but sixty males, whom they
made tributary. The inhabitants live upon roots which
grow wild, and sea animals: they do not employ themselves
in catching fish, although the rivers abound with all kinds
of salmon, and the sea with turbot. Their cloaths are
made of the skins of birds and of sea-otters. The Toigon
or chief of the first island informed them by means of a
boy, who understood the Russian language, that Eastward
there are three large and well peopled islands,
Ibiya, Ricksa, and Olas, whose inhabitants speak a different
language. Sheffyrin and Durneff found upon the
island three round copper plates, with some letters engraved
upon them, and ornamented with foliage, which
the waves had cast upon the shore: they brought them,
together with other trifling curiosities, which they had
procured from the natives, to New Kamtchatkoi Ostrog.
Another ship built of larchwood by the same Trapesnikoff,
which sailed in 1752 under the conduct of Alexei
Drusinin a merchant of Kursk, had been wrecked at Beering's
Island, where the crew constructed another vessel
out of the wreck, which they named Abraham. In this
vessel they bore away for the more distant islands; but
being forced back by contrary winds to the same island,
and meeting with the St. Nicholas upon the point of sailing
for the Aleütian Isles, they embarked on that ship, after
having left the new constructed vessel under the care of
four of their own sailors. The crew had slain upon Beering's
Island five sea-otters, 1222 arctic foxes, and 2500
sea-bears: their share of the furs, during their expedition
in the St. Nicholas, amounted to the skins of 500 sea-otters,
and of 300 cubs, exclusive of 200 sea-otter-skins,
which they procured by barter.
Three vessels were fitted out for the islands in
1753, one by Cholodiloff, a second by Serebranikoff
agent for the merchant Rybenskoy, and the third by
Ivan Krassilnikoff a merchant of Kamtchatka.
Cholodiloff's Ship sails from Kamchatka
1753.
Cholodiloff's ship sailed from Kamtchatka, the 19th of
August, manned with thirty-four men; and anchored
the 28th before Beering's Island, where they proposed to
winter, in order to lay-in a flock of provisions: as they
were attempting to land, the boat overset, and nine of
the crew were drowned.
June 30, 1754, they stood out to sea in quest of new
discoveries: the weather however proving stormy and
foggy, and the ship springing a leak, they were all in
danger of perishing: in this situation they unexpectedly
reached one of the Aleütian islands, were they lay from
the 15th of September until the 9th of July, 1755. In
the autumn of 1754 they were joined by a Kamtchadal,
and a Koriac: these persons, together with four others,
had deserted from Trapesnikoff's crew; and had remained
upon the island in order to catch sea-otters for their
own profit. Four of these deserters were killed by the
islanders for having debauched their wives: but as the
two persons above-mentioned were not guilty of the same
disorderly conduct, the inhabitants supplied them with
women, and lived with them upon the best terms. The
crew slew upon this island above 1600 sea-otters, and
came back safe to Kamtchatka in autumn 1755.
Departure of Serebranikoff's
Vessel.
Serebranikoff's vessel sailed in July 1753, manned
also with thirty-four Russians and Kamtchadals: they
discovered several new islands, which were probably
some of the more distant ones; but were not so fortunate
in hunting sea-otters as Cholodiloff's crew. They steered
S. E. and on the 17th of August anchored under an unknown
island; whose inhabitants spoke a language they
did not understand. Here they proposed looking out for
a safe harbour; but were prevented by the coming on of
a sudden storm, which carried away their anchor. The
ship being tost about for several days towards the East,
they discovered not far from the first island four others:
still more to the East three other islands appeared in sight;
but on neither of these were they able to land. |Shipwrecked upon one of the
more distant Islands.| The vessel
continued driving until the 2d of September,
and was considerably shattered, when they fortunately
came
near an island and cast anchor before it; they were however
again forced from this station, the vessel wrecked
upon the coast, and the crew with difficulty reached the
shore.
This island seemed to be right opposite to Katyrskoi
Noss in the peninsula of Kamtchatka, and near it they
saw three others. Towards the end of September Demitri
Trophin, accompanied with nine men, went out
in the boat upon an hunting and reconnoitring party:
they were attacked by a large body of inhabitants, who
hurled darts from a small wooden engine, and wounded
one of the company. The first fire however drove them
back; and although they returned several times to the
attack in numerous bodies, yet they were always repulsed
without difficulty.
Account of the Inhabitants.
These
savages mark and colour their faces like the
Islanders above-mentioned; and also thrust pieces of
bone through holes made in their under-lips.
Soon afterwards the Russians were joined in a friendly
manner by ten islanders, who brought the flesh of sea-animals
and of sea-otters; this present was the more
welcome, as they had lived for some time upon nothing
but small shell-fish and roots; and had suffered greatly
from hunger. Several toys were in return
distributed
among the savages. |The
Crew construct another Vessel, and return to Kamtchatka.| The Russians remained until
June, 1754, upon this island: at that time they departed
in a small vessel, constructed from the remains of
the wreck, and called the St. Peter and Paul: in this they
landed at Katyrskoi Noss; where having collected 140
sea-horse teeth, they got safe to the mouth of the Kamtchatka
river.
During this voyage twelve Kamtchadals deserted;
of whom six were slain, together with a female inhabitant,
upon one of the most distant islands. The
remainder, upon their return to Kamtchatka, were
examined; and from them the following circumstances
came to light. The island, where the ship was wrecked,
is about 70 versts long, and 20 broad. Around it lie
twelve other islands of different sizes, from five to ten
versts distant from each other. Eight of them appear
to be no more than five versts long. All these islands
contain about a thousand souls. The dwellings of the
inhabitants are provided with no other furniture than
benches, and mats of platted grass[36]. Their dress consists
of a kind of shirt made of bird-skins, and of an upper
garment of intestines stitched together; they wear wooden
caps, ornamented with a small piece of board projecting
forwards, as it seemed, for a defence against the
arrows. They are all provided with stone knives, and a
few of them possess iron ones: their only weapons are
arrows with points of bone or flint, which they shoot
from a wooden instrument. There are no trees upon
the island: it produces however the cow-parsnip[37], which
grows at Kamtchatka. The climate is by no means
severe, for the snow does not lie upon the ground above
a month in the year.
Departure of Krassilnikoff's
Vessel.
Krassilnikoff's vessel sailed in 1754, and anchored on
the 18th of October before Beering's Island; where all
the ships which make to the New Discovered Islands are
accustomed to winter, in order to procure a stock of salted
provisions from the sea-cows and other amphibious animals,
that are found in great abundance. Here they
refitted the vessel, which had been damaged by driving
upon her anchor; and having laid in a sufficient store
of all necessaries, weighed the 1st of August, 1754.
The 10th they were in sight of an island, whose coast
was lined with such a number of inhabitants, that they
durst not venture ashore. Accordingly they stood out
to sea, and being overtaken by a storm, they were reduced
to great distress for want of water; at length they were
driven upon Copper Island, where they landed; and
having taken in wood and water, they again set sail.
|Shipwrecked upon Copper
Island.| They were beat back however
by contrary winds, and dropped both their anchors near the shore; but
the storm increasing at night, both the cables were broken,
and the ship dashed to pieces upon the coast. All
the
crew were fortunately saved; and means were found to
get ashore the ship's tackle, ammunition, guns, and the
remains of the wreck; the provisions, however, were
mostly spoiled. Here they were exposed to a variety of
misfortunes; three of them were drowned on the 15th
of October, as they were going to hunt; others almost
perished with hunger, having no nourishment but small
shell-fish and roots. On the 29th of December great part
of the ship's tackle, and all the wood, which they had
collected from the wreck, was washed away during an
high sea. Notwithstanding their distresses, they continued
their hunting parties, and caught 103 sea-otters,
together with 1390 blue foxes.
The Crew reach Beering's Island in two
Baidars.
In spring they put to sea for Beering's Island in two
baidars, carrying with them all the ammunition, fire-arms,
and remaining tackle. Having reached that island,
they found the small vessel Abraham, under the care of
the four sailors who had been left ashore by the crew of
Trapesnikoff's ship: but as that vessel was not large
enough to contain the whole number, together with their
cargo of furs, they staid until Serebranikoff's and Tolstyk's
vessels arrived. These took in eleven of the crew, with
their part of the furs. Twelve remained at Beering's
Island, where they killed great numbers of arctic foxes,
and returned to Kamtchatka in the Abraham, excepting
two, who joined Shilkin's crew.
Voyage of Andrean Tolstyk in 1756 to the
Aleütian Isles.
September 17, 1756, the vessel Andrean and
Natalia, fitted out by Andrean Tolstyk, merchant
of Selenginsk, and manned with thirty-eight Russians
and Kamtchadals, sailed from the mouth of the Kamtchatka
river. The autumnal storms coming on, and a
scarcity of provisions ensuing, they made to Beering's
Island, where they continued until the 14th of June
1757. As no sea-otters came on shore that winter, they
killed nothing but seals, sea-lions, and sea-cows; whose
flesh served them for provision, and their skins for the
coverings of baidars.
June 13, 1757, they weighed anchor, and after
eleven days sailing came to Ataku, one of the Aleütian
isles discovered by Nevodsikoff. Here they found the
inhabitants, as well of that, as of the other two islands,
assembled; these islanders had just taken leave of the
crew of Trapesnikoff's vessel, which had sailed for
Kamtchatka. The Russians seized this opportunity of
persuading them to pay tribute; with this view they
beckoned the Toigon, whose name was Tunulgasen: the
latter recollected one of the crew, a Koriac, who had
formerly been left upon these islands, and who knew
something of their language. A copper kettle, a fur
and cloth coat, a pair of breeches, stockings and boots,
were bestowed upon this chief, who was prevailed upon
by these presents to pay tribute. Upon his departure
for his own island, he left behind him three women and
a boy, in order to be taught the Russian language, which
the latter very soon learned.
The Russians wintered upon this island, and divided
themselves, as usual, into different hunting parties: they
were compelled, by stormy weather, to remain there
until the 17th of June, 1758: before they went away,
the above-mentioned chief returned with his family, and
paid a year's tribute.
This vessel brought to Kamtchatka the most circumstantial
account of the Aleütian isles which had been yet
received.
Account of those Islands.
The
two largest contained at that time about fifty
males, with whom the Russians had lived in great harmony.
They heard of a fourth island, lying at some
distance from the third, called by the natives Iviya, but
which they did not reach on account of the tempestuous
weather.
The first island is about an hundred versts long and
from five to twenty broad. They esteemed the distance
from the first to the second, which lies East by South, to
be about thirty versts, and about forty from the latter to
the third, which stands South East. The original dress
of the islanders was made of the skins of birds, sea-otters
and seals, which were tanned; but the greatest part had
procured from the Russians dog-skin coats, and under-garments
of sheep-skin, which they were very fond of.
They are represented as naturally talkative, quick of apprehension,
and much attached to the Russians. Their
dwellings are hollowed in the ground, and covered with
wooden roofs resembling the huts in the peninsula of
Kamtchatka. Their principal food is the flesh of sea
animals, which they harpoon with their bone lances;
they also feed upon several species of roots and berries:
namely[38]cloud-berries, crake-berries, bilberries, and services.
The rivulets abound with salmon, and other
fish of the trout kind similar to those of Kamtchatka;
and the sea with turbot, which are caught with bone
hooks.
These islands produce quantities of small osiers and
underwood, but no large trees: the sea however drives
ashore fir and larch, sufficient for the construction of
their huts. There are a great number of arctic foxes
upon the first island, as well as sea-otters; and the shores,
during stormy weather, are covered with wild geese and
ducks.
The Russians, according to the order of the chancery
of Bolcheretsk, endeavoured to persuade the Toigon of
these islands to accompany them to Kamtchatka, but without
success: upon their departure they distributed among
the islanders some linen, and thirteen nets for the purpose
of catching sea-otters, which were very thankfully
received. This vessel brought to Kamtchatka the skins
of 5030 old and young sea-otters, of 1040 old and
young arctic foxes, and of 330 Medwedki or cubs of
sea-otters.
In the year 1757, Ivan Nikiphoroff, a merchant of
Moscow, sent out a vessel: but we have no further account
of this voyage, than that she sailed to the Fox
Islands, at least as far as Umnak.
Voyage of Ivan Shilkin in the Capiton
1757.
The small vessel Capiton, the same that was built
upon Beering's Island, and which was given to the merchant[39]
Ivan Shilkin, put to sea September 26, 1757,
carrying on board the Cossac Ignatius Studentsoff, who
has given an account of the voyage.
They had not long sailed, before they were driven back
to the shore of Kamtchatka by stress of weather, and the
vessel stranded; by which accident they lost the rudder
and one of the crew. This misfortune prevented them
from putting to sea again until the following year, with
thirty-nine of the original crew, several persons being
left behind on account of sickness. They made directly
to Beering's Island, where they took up two of Krasilnikoff's
crew[40], who had been shipwrecked. They again
set sail in August of the same year, and touched at the
nearest Aleütian Isles, after suffering greatly from storms.
They then continued their course to the remoter islands
lying between East and South East; and having passed
by the first, they anchored before the second. A boat
being immediately sent out towards the shore, the crew
was attacked by a numerous body of islanders in so sudden
a manner, that they had scarcely time to secure themselves
by returning to the vessel. They had no sooner
got aboard, than a violent gale of wind blowing from the
shore broke the cable, and drove them out to sea. |Shipwrecked upon one of the
Fox Islands.| The
weather became suddenly thick and foggy; and under
these circumstances the vessel was forced upon a small
island at no great distance from the other, and shipwrecked.
The crew got to shore with difficulty, and
were able to save nothing but the fire-arms and ammunition.
They had scarcely got to land, before they were beset
by a number of savages, rowing in baidars from the
Western point of the island. This attack was the more
to be dreaded, because several of the Russians were disabled
by cold and wet; and there remained only fifteen
capable of defending themselves. They advanced however
without hesitation to the islanders; and one Nicholas
Tsiuproff (who had a slight knowledge of their
language) accosted and endeavoured to sooth them, but
without success. For upon their approach the savages
gave a sudden shout, and saluting them at the same time
with a volley of darts, wounded one person in the hand.
Upon this the Russians fired, killed two of the assailants,
and forced the remainder to retire: and although a fresh
body appeared in sight, as if they were coming to the
assistance of their companions, yet no new attack was
made. Soon afterwards the savages left the island, and
rowed across the strait.
From the 6th of September to the 23d of April, they
underwent all the extremities of famine: during that period
their best fare was shell-fish and roots; and they
were even at times reduced to still the cravings of their
appetite with the leather, which the waves washed ashore
from the wreck. Seventeen died of hunger, and the rest
would soon have followed their companions, if they had
not fortunately discovered a dead whale, which the sea
had cast ashore. |The
Crew construct a small Vessel, and are again shipwrecked.| They remained upon this island
another
winter, where they slew 230 sea-otters: and having
built a small vessel out of the remains of the wreck, they
put to sea in the beginning of summer 1760. They
had scarcely reached one of the Aleütian islands, where
Serebranikoff's vessel lay at anchor, when they were again
shipwrecked, and lost all the remaining tackle and furs.
Only thirteen of the crew now remained, who returned
on board the above-mentioned vessel to Kamtchatka July
1751.
Voyage of the St. Vladimir, commanded by Paikoff,
1758.
September 1758, the merchant Simeon Krasilnikoff
and Nikiphor Trapesnikoff fitted out two vessels
for the purpose of catching sea-otters. One of these vessels,
called the St. Vladimir, sailed the 28th under the command
of Demetri Paikoff, carrying on board the Cossac Sila
Shaffyrin as collector of the tribute, and a crew of forty-five
men. In twenty-four hours they reached Beering's
Island, where they wintered. July 16, 1759, they
steered towards the South in order to discover land, but
being disappointed, they bore away to the North for the
Aleütian isles: being prevented however by contrary
winds from reaching them, they sailed streight towards
the distant islands, which are known at present under
the name of Lyssie Ostrova or the Fox Islands. |Arrival at the Fox
Island.| September
1, they reached the first of these, called by the natives
Atchu, and by the Russians Goreloi or the Burnt
Island:
but as the coasts were very steep and craggy, they made
to Amlach, lying at a small distance, where they determined
to pass the winter. They divided themselves accordingly
into three parties; the first, at the head of
which was Alexèy Drusinin, went over to a small island
called in the journal Sitkin; the Cossac Shaffyrin led the
second, consisting of ten persons, to the island Atach; and
Simeon Polevoi remained aboard with the rest of the
crew. All these islands were well peopled; the men had
bones thrust through their ears, under lips, and gristle
of their noses; and the faces of the women were marked
with blackish streaks made with a needle and thread in
the skin, in the same manner as a Cossac one of the crew
had observed before upon some of the Tschutski. The
inhabitants had no iron; the points of their darts and
lances were tipped with bone and flint.
They at first imagined, that Amlach was uninhabited;
but in one of their hunting parties they found a boy of
eight years old, whom they brought with them: they
gave him the name of Hermolai, and taught him the
Russian language, that he might serve as an interpreter.
After penetrating further they discovered an hut, wherein
were two women, four men, and as many boys, whom
they treated kindly, and employed in hunting, fishing,
and in digging of roots. This kind behaviour encouraged
others to pay frequent visits, and to exchange fish
and flesh for goat's hair, horses manes, and glass beads.
They procured also four other islanders with their wives,
who dug roots for them: and thus the winter passed
away without any disturbance.
In the spring the hunting parties returned; during
these excursions one man alone was killed upon the island
Atach, and his fire-arms taken away by the natives.
June 1760, the same parties were sent again to the same
islands. Shaffyrin, who headed one of the parties, was
soon afterwards killed, with eleven men, by the inhabitants
of Atach, but for what reason is not known.—Drusinin
received the first information of this massacre
from some inhabitants of Sitkin, where he then was;
and immediately set out with the remaining hunters to
join their companions, who were left on board. Although
he succeeded in regaining the vessel, their number
was by this time so considerably reduced that their
situation appeared very dangerous: he was soon however
relieved from his apprehensions by the arrival of the
merchant Betshevin's vessel at the island of Atchu[41].
The two crews entered into partnership: the St. Vladimir
received twenty-two men, and transferred eleven
of her own to the other vessel. The former wintered
at Amlach, and the latter continued at anchor before
Atchu.
Voyage of Pushkareff, 1760.
This
vessel, fitted out at the expence of Betshevin, a
merchant of Irkutsk, was called Gabriel; and put to sea
from the mouth of the Bolshaia Reka July 31st, 1760.
She was manned with forty Russians and twenty Kamtchadals,
and carried on board Gabriel Pushkareff, of the
garrison of Ochotsk, Andrew Shdanoff, Jacob Sharypoff,
Prokopèi Lobashkoff, together with Nikiphor Golodoff,
and Aphanassei Oskoloff, Betshevin's agents.
Having sailed through the second strait of the Kuril
Isles, they reached the Aleütian Isles on the 24th of August.
They stood out from thence in order to make
new discoveries among those more remote islands, which
lie in one continued chain to the extent of 15 degrees
of longitude.
Reaches Atchu, one of the Fox
Islands.
September 25 they reached Atchu, or Burnt Island, and
found the above-mentioned ship the St. Vladimir, lying
twenty versts from that island, before Amlach, in danger
of being attacked by the islanders. They immediately
joined crews in order to enable the enfeebled company
of the St. Vladimir to continue hunting; and as it is usual
in such cases, entered into a contract for the division of
the profit. During that winter the two crews killed
partly upon Siguyam, about 800 sea otters of different
sizes, about 100 medwedki or cubs, some river otters,
above 400 red, greyish, and black foxes, and collected
twelve pood of sea-horse teeth.
Departs from thence.
In June,
of the following year, the two crews were
distributed equally on board the two vessels: Krassilnikoff's
remained at Amlach, with an intention of returning
to Kamtchatka, and Belshevin's put to sea from Atchu
in quest of other islands. They touched first at Umnak
where they met Nikiphoroff's vessel. Here they took
in wood and water, and repaired their sails: they then
sailed to the most remote island Alaksu[42], or Alachshak,
where, having laid up the ship in a bay, they built huts,
and made preparations for wintering. |Winters upon Alaksu.| This island was very well inhabited,
and the natives behaved at first in a very friendly manner, for
they trafficked with the Russians, and even delivered up nine of
their children as hostages; but such was the lawless and irregular
behaviour of the crew, that the islanders were soon irritated
and provoked to hostilities.
In January 1762, Golodoff and Pushkareff went with
a party of twenty men along the shore; and, as they were
attempting to violate some girls upon the island Unyumga,
were surprised by a numerous body of the natives:
Golodoff and another Russian were killed, and
three were wounded. Not long afterwards the watch of
the crew was suddenly attacked by the islanders; four
men were slain upon the spot, as many wounded, and
the huts reduced to ashes.
May 3, Lobaschkoff and another Russian were killed,
as they were going to bathe in the warm springs, which
lie about five versts from the haven: upon which seven
of the hostages were put to death. The same month the
natives attempted to surprise the Russians in their huts;
but being fortunately discovered in time were repulsed by
means of the fire arms. At length the Russians, finding
themselves in continual danger from these attempts,
weighed anchor, and sailed for Umnak, where they took
up two inhabitants with their wives and children, in
order to shew them other islands. They were prevented
however by tempestuous weather from reaching them;
and were driven out to sea Westward with such violence,
that all their sails were carried away: at length on the
23d of September they struck against land, which they
took for the peninsula of Kamtchatka; and they found
it to be the district of Stobolikoi Ostrog. Six men were
immediately dispatched in the small boat and two baidars
to land: they carried with them several girls (who had
been brought from the new discovered islands) in order
to gather berries. Mean while the crew endeavoured to
ply the ship to the windward. When the boat returned,
those on board were scarcely able, on account of the
storm, to row to the ship, and to catch hold of a rope,
which was flung out to them. Two men remained with
the baidars, and were afterwards carried by some Kamtchadals
to New Kamtchatkoi Ostrog. The ship without
one sail remaining was driven along the coast of Kamtchatka
towards Avatcha, and about seventy versts from
that harbour ran into the bay of Kalatzoff on the 25th
of September. Their cargo consisted of the skins of
900 old and young sea-otters, and of 350 foxes.
Pushkareff and his crew had during this voyage behaved
with such inhumanity towards the islanders, that
they were brought to trial in the year 1764; and the
above-mentioned account is taken from the concurring
evidence of several witnesses. It appears also, that they
brought away from Atchu and Amleg two Aleütian men
and three boys, Ivan an Aleütian interpreter, and above
twenty women and girls whom they debauched. Ivan,
and one of the boys whom they called Moses, were the
only persons who arrived at Kamtchatka. Upon their
first approach to that coast, fourteen women were sent
ashore to dig roots and to gather berries. Of these, two
ran away, and a third was killed, as they were returning
to the ship by one Gorelin: upon this the others in a fit
of despair leaped into the sea and were drowned. All
the remaing Aleütians, excepting the two persons above-mentioned,
were immediately thrown overboard by Pushkareff's
order. The account which follows, although it
is found in the depositions, deserves not to be entirely
credited in all particulars.
Account of the Inhabitants of
Alacksu.
The natives of the above-mentioned islands are very
tall and strongly made. They make their cloaths of
the skins of birds; and thrust bones through their under-lips
by way of ornament. They were said to strike
their noses until they bled, in order to suck the blood;
but we are informed from subsequent accounts, that the
blood thus drawn from themselves was intended for other
purposes[43]. They were accused even of murdering
their own children in order to drink their blood; but
this is undoubtedly an invention of the criminals, who
represented the islanders in the most hideous colours, in
order to excuse their own cruelties. Their dwellings
under-ground are similar to those of the Kamtchadals;
and have several openings on the sides, through which
they make their escape when the principal entrance is
beset by an enemy. Their weapons consist of arrows
and lances pointed with bone, which they dart at a considerable
distance.
Animals.
The island Alaksu is said to
contain rein-deer, bears, wild boars, wolves, otters, and a species
of dogs with long ears, which are very fierce and wild. And as the
greatest part of these animals are not found upon those
Fox Islands which lie nearer to the west, this circumstance
seems to prove that Alaksu is situated at no great
distance from the Continent of America. As to red,
black, and grey foxes, there is so large a quantity, that
they are seen in herds of ten or twenty at a time. Wood
is driven upon the coast in great abundance. The
island produces no large trees, having only some underwood,
and a great variety of bulbs, roots, and berries.
The coasts are frequented by large flocks of sea-birds,
the same which are observed upon the shore of the
sea of Penshinsk.
Voyage of the Peter and Paul to the
Aleütian Islands, 1759.
August 4, 1759, the Peter and
Paul, fitted out at the expence of the merchant Rybenskoi by his agent
Andrew Serebranikoff, and manned with thirty-three persons,
set sail from the mouth of the Kamtchatka river.
They steered southwards until the 20th of September
without seeing any land, when they stood for the Aleütian
Isles, one of which they reached the 27th of September.
They remained there until the 24th of June,
1761; during which time they killed upon this and
the two other islands 1900 old and young sea-otters,
and obtained 450 more by bartering with the islanders.
The Cossac Minyachin, who was on board as collector
of the tribute, calls in his account the first island by the
Russian name of Krugloi, or Round Island, which he
supposes to be about sixty versts in circumference: the
largest island lies thirty versts from thence, and is about
an hundred and fifty round: the smallest is about thirty
versts from the latter, and is forty in circumference.
These three islands contain several high rocky mountains.
The number of inhabitants were computed to
be about forty-two men, without reckoning women
and children.
Voyage of Andrean Tolstyk in the St. Andrean and
Natalia, 1760.
The most remarkable voyage hitherto made is that
of the St. Andrean and Natalia, of which the following
extract is drawn from the Journals of the two
Cossacs, Peter Wasyutinskoi and Maxim Lasaroff. This
vessel, fitted out by the above-mentioned merchant Andrean
Tolstyk, weighed from the mouth of the Kamtchatka
river September 27, 1760; she stood out to sea
right Eastwards, and on the 29th reached Beering's
Island. There she lay at anchor in a bay, from whence
the crew brought all the tackle and lading ashore. Soon
afterwards they were driven upon the shore by a violent
autumnal storm, without any other damage than the loss
of an anchor. Here they passed the winter; and having
refitted their vessel, put to sea June 24, 1761: they
passed by Copper Island, which lies about an hundred
and fifty versts from the former, and steered S. E. towards
the Aleütian Isles, which they did not reach before
the 6th of August. |Reaches
Ayagh, one of the Andreanoffikye Islands.| They cast anchor in an open bay
near Attak, in order to procure an interpreter from the
Toigon Tunulgasen; but the latter being dead, they sent
presents to the Toigon Bakutun. As there were already
three ships lying at anchor before this Island, on the 19th
they again stood out to sea in quest of the more distant
islands, for the purpose of exacting a tribute. They
carried on board a relation of the Toigon Bakutun, who
had a slight knowledge of the Russian language. They
steered N. E. and N. E. by E. and were driven, on the
28th, by a high gale of wind towards an island, before
which they immediately cast anchor. The following
morning the two Cossacs with a party of eight persons
went ashore to reconnoitre the island; they saw no inhabitants.
August 30, the vessel was brought into a safe
bay. The next day some of the crew were sent ashore
to procure wood, that the ship might be refitted; but
there were no large trees to be met with upon the whole
island. Lasaroff, who was one of the party, had been
there before in Serebranikoff's vessel: he called the island
Ayagh or Kayachu; and another, which lay about the
distance of twenty versts, Kanaga. As they were returning
to the ship, they saw two islanders rowing in
small canoes towards Kanaga, one of whom had served
as an interpreter, and was known to Lasaroff. The latter
accordingly made them a present of some fresh provision,
which the others gratefully accepted, and then
continued their course across the strait to Kanaga. Soon
afterwards Lasaroff and eight men rowed over to that
island, and having invited the Toigon, who was a
relation
of the above-mentioned interpreter, to pay them a
visit at Kayachu, they immediately returned to the ship.
Near the place where they lay at anchor, a rivulet
falls into the bay; it flows from a lake that is about
two or three versts in circumference, and which is formed
from a number of small springs. Its course is about
eight versts long; and in summer several species of salmon
and other fish, similar to those which are found at
Kamtchatka, ascend the stream as far as the lake.
Lasaroff was employed in fishing in this rivulet, when
the Toigon of Kanaga, accompanied with a considerable
number of the natives in fifteen baidars, arrived at the
ship: he was hospitably entertained, and received several
presents. The Russians seized this opportunity of persuading
the islanders to acknowledge themselves subject
to the Empress, and to pay a regular tribute; to which
they made no great objection. By means of the interpreter,
the following information was obtained from the
Toigon. The natives chiefly subsist upon dried fish and
other sea animals. They catch [44]turbot of a very large
size, and take seals by means of harpoons, to which they
fasten bladders. They fish for cod with bone hooks,
and lines made of a long and tough species of sea-weed,
which they dip in fresh water and draw out to the size of
a fine packthread.
As soon as the vessel was laid up in a secure place,
Tolstyk, Vassyutin and Lasaroff, with several others,
went in four baidars to Kanaga. The first remained
upon that island, but the two others rowed in two baidars
to Tsetchina, which is separated from Kanaga by a
strait about seven versts in breadth: the islanders received
them amicably, and promised to pay tribute. The
several parties returned all safe to Kayachu, without
having procured any furs. Soon afterwards Tolstyk dispatched
some hunters in four baidars to Tagalak, Atchu,
and Amlach, which lay to the East of Kayachu: none of
these party met with any opposition from the natives:
they accordingly remained with great tranquillity upon
these several islands until the year 1764. Their success
in hunting was not however very great; for they caught
no more than 1880 full grown sea-otters, 778 middle-aged,
and 372 cubs.
Description of the Andreanoffskye
Islands.
The following is Lasaroff's description of the
above-mentioned six islands[45] which lie in a chain somewhat
to the North West of the Fox Islands, and must not be
blended with them. The first certain account was
brought by this vessel, the St. Andrean and Natalia,
from whence they are called the Andreanoffskie Ostrova
or the Islands of St. Andrean.
Ayagh.
Ayagh is about an hundred and
fifty versts in circumference:
it contains several high and rocky mountains,
the intervals of which are bare heath and moor ground:
not one forest tree is to be found upon the whole island.
The vegetables seem for the most part like those which
grow in Kamtchatka. Of berries there are found[46]crow
or crake-berries and the larger sort of bilberries, but in
small quantities. Of the roots of burnet and all kinds of
snake weed, there is such abundance as to afford, in case
of necessity, a plentiful provision for the inhabitants.
The above-mentioned rivulet is the only one upon the
island. The number of inhabitants cannot sufficiently
be ascertained, because the natives pass continually from
island to island in their baidars.
Kanaga.
Kanaga stands West from Ayagh,
and is two hundred versts in circumference. It contains an high volcano
where the natives find sulphur in summer. At the foot
of this mountain are hot springs, wherein they occasionally
boil their provision. There is no rivulet upon this
island; and the low grounds are similar to those of
Ayagh. The inhabitants are reckoned about two hundred
souls.
Tsetchina.
Tsetchina lies Eastward about
forty versts from Kanaga, and is about eighty in circumference. It is
full of rocky mountains, of which the Bielaia Sopka, or the White
Peak, is the highest. In the valley there are also some
warm springs, but no rivulet abounding in fish: the
island contains only four families.
Tagalak.
Tagalak is forty versts in
circumference, ten East from Tsetchina: it contains a few rocks, but
neither rivulets with fish, nor any vegetable production fit for
nourishment. The coasts are rocky, and dangerous to approach
in baidars. This island is also inhabited by no more
than four families.
Atchu.
Atchu lies in the same position
forty versts distant from Tagalak, and is about three hundred in
circumference: near it is an harbour, where ships may ride securely
at anchor. It contains many rocky mountains;
and several small rivulets that fall into the sea, and of
which one running Eastwards abounds in fish. The
roots which have just before been mentioned, and bulbs
of white lilies, are found there in plenty. Its inhabitants
amount to about sixty souls.
Amlach.
Amlach is a mountainous island
standing to the East more than seven versts from Atchu, and is also
three hundred in circumference. It contains the same number
of inhabitants as Atchu, has a commodious
haven, and produces roots in abundance. Of several
small rivulets there is one only which flows towards the
North, that contains any fish. Besides these a cluster of
other islands were observed stretching farther to the
East, which were not touched upon.
Account of the Inhabitants.
The
inhabitants of these six islands are tributary to
Russia. They live in holes dug in the earth, in which
they make no fires even in winter. Their clothes are
made like shirts, of the skins of the[47]guillinot and puffin,
which they catch with springes. Over these in rainy
weather they wear an upper garment, made of the bladders
and other dried intestines of seals and sea-lions oiled
and stitched together. They catch cod and turbot with
bone hooks, and eat them raw. As they never lay in a
store of provision, they suffer greatly from hunger in
stormy weather, when they cannot go out to fish; at
which time they are reduced to live upon small shell-fish
and sea-wrack, which they pick up upon the beach and
eat raw. In May and June they kill sea-otters in the following
manner: When the weather is calm, they row
out to sea in several baidars: having found the animal,
they strike him with harpoons, and follow him so closely,
that he cannot easily escape. They take sea dogs in the
same manner. In the severest weather they make no
addition to their usual cloathing. In order to warm
themselves in winter, whenever it freezes very hard,
they burn a heap of dry grass, over which they stand
and catch the heat under their clothes. The clothes of
the women and children are made of sea-otter skins, in
the same form as those belonging to the men. Whenever
they pass the night at a distance from home, they
dig a hole in the earth, and lay themselves down in it,
covered only with their clothes and mats of platted grass.
Regardless of every thing but the present moment, destitute
of religion, and without the least appearance of decency,
they seem but few degrees removed from brutes.
As soon as the several baidars sent out upon hunting
parties were returned, and the vessel got ready for their
departure, the Toigons of these islands (excepting Kanaga)
came in baidars to Tolstyk, accompanied with a
considerable number of the natives; their names were
Tsarkulini, Tshunila, Kayugotsk and Mayatok. They
brought with them a voluntary tribute, making presents
of pieces of dried salmon, and unanimously expressing
their satisfaction upon the good conduct of the Russians.
Tolstyk gave them in return some toys and other trifles,
and desired them to recommend to the inhabitants of the
other islands the like friendly behaviour towards the Russian
merchants who should come amongst them, if they
had a mind to be treated in the same manner.
June 14, 1764, they sailed for Kamtchatka, and anchored
on the 19th before Shemiya, one of the Aleütian
Islands. The 21st they were forced from their anchor
by tempestuous winds, and driven upon a rocky shore.
This accident obliged them to send the lading ashore, and
to draw the ship upon land in order to repair the damage,
which was done not without great difficulty. On the
18th of August they stood out to sea and made towards
Atchu, which they reached on the 20th. Having
sprung a leak they again refitted the vessel; and, after
taking on board the crew of a ship which had been lately
cast away, they sailed for Kamtchatka. |The Vessel wrecked upon the Coast of
Kamtchatka.| On the 4th of
September they came in sight of that peninsula near
Tzaschminskoi Ostrog; and on the 18th, as they were endeavouring
to run into the mouth of the Kamtchatka
river, they were forced by a storm upon the coast. The
vessel was destroyed, and the greatest part of the cargo lost.
I Shall here barely mention that a vessel was fitted
out in August, 1760, at the expence of Terrenti
Tsebaëfskoi: but I shall have occasion to be very circumstantial
in my accounts concerning several others,
which sailed during the following years: more copious
information concerning the Fox Islands having been
procured from these voyages, although for the most
part unfortunate, than from all the preceding ones.
In 1762 four vessels sailed for the Fox Islands: of
these only one returned safe to Kamtchatka.
Voyage of Drusinin in the Zacharias and
Elizabeth, 1762.
The first was the Zacharias and Elizabeth, fitted out
by Kulkoff, a merchant of Vologda and Company, under
the command of Drusinin, and manned by thirty-four
Russians, and three Kamtchadals.
September the 6th, they weighed anchor from Ochotsk,
and arrived October the 11th in the haven of St. Peter
and Paul, where they wintered. June the 24th, 1763,
they again put to sea, and having reached, after eleven
days sailing, the nearest Aleütian Islands, they anchored
before Atach. They staid here about fourteen days,
and took up seven Russians who had been shipwrecked
on this coast. Among these was Korelin, who returned
to Kamtchatka, and brought back the following account
of the voyage.
July the 17th, they sailed from Atach towards the
more distant islands. In the same month they landed
upon an island, where the crew of the Andrean and
Natalia was engaged in hunting; and, having laid in a
provision of water, continued their voyage.
Arrival at Umnak.
In the beginning of
September they arrived at Umnak, one of the Fox Islands, and cast
anchor about a verst from the shore. They found there Glottoff's
vessel, whose voyage will be mentioned in a succeeding
chapter[48].
Drusinin immediately dispatched his first mate Maesnisk
and Korelin, with thirty-four of the crew, to land. They
passed over to the Eastern extremity of the island, which
was distant about seventy versts from the vessel; and returned
safe on the 12th of September. During this
expedition,
they saw several remains of fox-traps which
had been set by the Russians; and met with several
natives who shewed some tribute-quittances. The
same day letters were brought by the islanders from
Medvedeff and Korovin[49], who were just arrived at
Umnak and Unalashka in two vessels fitted out by the
merchants Protassoff and Trapesnikoff. Answers were
returned by the same messengers.
Winters at Unalashka.
On the 22d,
Drusinin sailed to the Northern point of
Unalashka, which lies about fifteen versts from Umnak:
the crew, having laid up the vessel in a safe harbour,
and brought the lading ashore, made preparation to construct
an hut. Soon after their arrival, two Toigons
of the nearest village brought hostages of their own accord;
their example was immediately followed by several
of the more distant villages. Here they received information
of an hunting party sent from Trapesnikoff's
ship. Upon which Maesnyk also dispatched three companies
upon the same errand, one consisting of eleven
men, among whom was Korelin, under the command of
Peter Tsekaleff; a second of the same number, under
Michael Kudyakoff; and a third of nine men, under
Yephim Kaskitsyn. Of these three parties, Tsekaleff's
was the only one of which we have received any circumstantial
account: for not a single person of the
other two parties, or of the crew remaining on board,
ever returned to Kamtchatka.
Kaskitsyn remained near the haven, and the two
other companies were dispatched to the Northern point
of the island. Kudyakoff stopped at a place called
Kalaktak, which contained about forty inhabitants; Tsekaleff
went on to Inalok, which lies about thirty versts
from Kalaktak. He found there a dwelling with about
seventy inhabitants, whom he behaved to with kindness:
he built an hut for himself and his companions, and
kept a constant watch.
All the Crew, except four Russians, destroyed by
the Natives.
December the 4th, six of the party being dispatched
to look after the pit-falls, there remained only five Russians:
namely, Peter Tsekaleff, Stephen Korelin, Dmitri
Bragin, Gregory Shaffyrin, and Ivan Kokovin: the
islanders took this opportunity of giving the first proofs
of their hostile intentions, which they had hitherto
concealed. As Tsekaleff and Shaffyrin were upon a
visit to the islanders, the latter suddenly, and without
any provocation, struck Tsekaleff upon the head with
a club, and afterwards stabbed him with knives. They
next fell upon Shaffyrin, who defended himself with an
hatchet, and, though desperately wounded, forced his
way back to his companions. Bragin and Korelin, who
remained in the hut, had immediate recourse to their
fire-arms; but Kokovin, who was at a small distance,
was surrounded by the savages, and thrown down.
They continued stabbing him with knives and darts,
until Korelin came to his assistance; the latter having
wounded two islanders, and driven away the others,
brought Kokovin half-dead to the hut.
The Adventures of the four Russians
upon Unalaskka.
Soon afterwards the natives surrounded the hut,
which the Russians had taken the precaution to provide with
shooting-holes. The siege lasted four days without intermission.
The islanders were prevented indeed by the
fire-arms from storming the hut; but whenever the
Russians made their appearance, darts were immediately
shot at them from all sides; so that they could not
venture to go out for water. At length when Shaffyrin
and Kokovin were a little recovered, they all sallied out
upon the islanders with their guns and lances; three
persons were killed upon the spot, and several wounded;
upon which the others fled away and dispersed. During
the siege the savages were seen at a little distance
bearing some arms and caps, and holding them up in
triumph: these things belonged to the six Russians, who
had been sent to the pit-falls, and had fallen a sacrifice
to the resentment of the natives.
The latter no sooner disappeared, than the Russians
dragged the baidar into the sea, and rowed without molestation
out of the bay, which is about ten versts broad.
They next landed near a small habitation: finding it
empty they drew the baidar ashore, and went with their
fire-arms and lances across the mountains towards Kalaktak,
where they had left Kudyakoff's party. As they
approached that place towards evening, they fired from
the heights; but no signal being returned, they concluded,
as was really the case, that this company had
likewise been massacred by the inhabitants. They themselves
narrowly escaped the same fate; for, immediately
upon the report of the fire-arms, numerous bodies of the
islanders made their appearance, and closely pursued the
Russians: darkness however coming on, the latter found
means to escape over the sandy shore of a bay to a rock,
where they were sheltered, and could defend themselves.
They here made so good a use of their arms, that the
islanders thought proper to retire: the fugitives, as soon
as their pursuers were withdrawn, seized the opportunity
of proceeding towards the haven, where their
vessel lay at anchor: they ran without interruption during
the whole night, and at break of day, when they were about
three versts from the haven, they espied a locker of the
vessel lying on the shore. Struck with astonishment at
this alarming discovery, they retreated with precipitation
to the mountains, from whence they descried several
islanders rowing in canoes, but no appearance of their
own vessel. During that day they kept themselves closely
concealed, and durst not venture again towards the haven
before the evening. Upon their arrival they found the
vessel broken to pieces, and the dead bodies of their companions
lying mangled along the beach. Having collected
all the provision which had been untouched by
the savages, they returned to the mountains.
The following day they scooped out a cavity at the
foot of a mountain situated about three versts from the
haven, and covered it with a piece of a sail. In the
evening they returned to the haven, and found there an
image of a saint and a prayer book; all the tackle and
lading were taken away, excepting the sacks for provision.
These sacks were made of leather: the natives had
ript them up probably to see if they contained any iron,
and had left them, together with the provision, behind
as useless. The Russians collected all that remained, and
dragged as much as they were able to carry into the
mountains to their retreat, where they lived in a very
wretched state from the 9th of December to the 2d of
February, 1764.
Mean while they employed themselves in making a
little baidar, which they covered with the leather of the
sacks. Having drawn it at night from the mountains to
the sea, they rowed without waiting for break of day
along the Northern coast of Unalaschka, in order to reach
Trapesnikoff's vessel, which, as they had reason to think,
lay at anchor somewhere upon the coast. They rowed
at some distance from the shore, and by that means passed
three habitations unperceived. The following day
they observed at some distance five islanders in a baidar,
who upon seeing them made to Makushinsk, before
which place the fugitives were obliged to pass. Darkness
coming on, the Russians landed on a rock, and passed the
night ashore. Early in the morning they discovered the
islanders advancing towards them from the bay of Makushinsk.
Upon this they placed themselves in an advantageous
post, and prepared for defence.
The savages rowed close to the beach: part landing,
and part remaining in their baidars, they commenced
the assault by a volley of darts; and notwithstanding the
Russians did great execution with their fire arms, the
skirmish continued the whole day. Towards evening the
enemy retired, and the fugitives betook themselves with
their canoe to an adjoining cavern. The attack was again
renewed during the night; but the Russians were so advantageously
posted, that they repulsed the assailants
without much difficulty. In this encounter Bragen
was slightly wounded. They remained in this place
three days; but the sea rising at a spring-tide into the
rock, forced them to sally out towards a neighbouring
cavern, which they reached without loss, notwithstanding
the opposition of the islanders.
They were imprisoned in this cave five weeks, and kept
watch by turns. During that time they seldom ventured
twenty yards from the entrance; and were obliged
to quench their thirst with snow-water, and with the
moisture dripping from the rock. They suffered also
greatly from hunger, having no sustenance but small
shell-fish, which they occasionally found means to collect,
upon the beach. Compelled at length by extreme
want, they one night ventured to draw their baidar into
the sea, and were fortunate enough to get off unperceived.
Their Escape from Unalaschka to Trapesnikoff's
vessel.
They continued rowing at night, but in the day they
hid themselves on the shore; by this means they escaped
unobserved from the bay of Makushinsk, and reached
Trapesnikoff's vessel the 30th of March, 1764. What
happened to them afterwards in company with the
crew of this vessel will be mentioned in the succeeding
chapter, Shaffyrin alone of all the four died of
sickness during the voyage; but Korelin, Kohovin, and
Bragin[50] returned safe to
Kamtchatka. The names of these brave men deserve our admiration, for
the courage and perseverance with which they supported and overcame
such imminent dangers.
Voyage of Korovin, 1762.
The second
vessel which sailed from Kamtchatka in
the year 1762, was the Trinity, fitted out by the
trading company of Nikiphor Trapesnikoff, merchant of
Irkutsk, under the command of Ivan Korovin, and
manned with thirty-eight Russians and six Kamtchadals.
Departs from Kamtchatka.
September 15,
they sailed down the Kamtchatka river,
and stood out to sea the 29th, when they were driven
at large for ten days by contrary winds. At last upon
the 8th of October they came in sight of Beering's and
Copper Island, where they cast anchor before the South
side of the former. Here they were resolved to winter
on account of the late season of the year. Accordingly
they laid up the vessel in a secure harbour, and
brought
all the lading ashore. |Winters upon Beering's Island.| They staid here until the first of
August, 1763: during that time they kilted about 500
arctic foxes and 20 sea-otters; the latter animals resorted
less frequently to this island, in consequence of
the disturbance given them by the Russian hunters.
Korovin, having collected a sufficient store of provision,
several skins of sea-cows for the coverings of baidars,
and some iron which remained from the wreck of
Beering's ship, prepared for his departure. Upon his
arrival at Beering's Island the preceding autumn, he
found there a vessel fitted out by Jacob Protassoff, merchant
of Tiumen, under the command of Dennis Medvedeff[51].
Korovin had entered into a formal contract
with Medvedeff for the division of the furs. Here he
took on board ten of Medvedeff's crew, and gave him
seven in return.
August 1, Korovin put to sea from Beering's Island with
thirty-seven men, and Medvedeff with forty-nine.
|Reaches Unalashka.| They
sailed without coming in sight of the Aleütian Isles: on
the 15th, Korovin made Unalashka, where Glottoff lay
at anchor, and Medvedeff reached Umnak. Korovin
received the news of the latter's safe arrival, first by
some islanders, and afterwards by letters; both vessels
lay at no greater distance from each other than about
an hundred and fifty versts, taking a streight line from
point to point across the firth.
Korovin cast anchor in a convenient bay at the distance
of sixty yards from the shore. On the 16th he landed
with fourteen men, and having found nothing but an
empty shed, he returned to the vessel. After having
taken a reinforcement, he again went ashore in order to
look for some inhabitants. About seven versts from
the haven, he came to two habitations, and saw three
hundred persons assembled together. Among them
were three Toigons, who recollected and accosted in a
friendly manner one Barnasheff, a native of Tobolsk,
who had been there before with Glottoff; they shewed
some tribute-quittances, which they had lately received
from the Cossac Sabin Ponomareff. Two of these Toigons
gave each a boy of twelve years of age as an
hostage, whom they passed for their children; and the
third delivered his son of about fifteen years of age,
the same who had been Glottoff's hostage, and whom
Korovin called Alexèy. |Lays up the Ship.| With these hostages he returned
to the ship, which he laid up in the mouth of a river,
after having brought all the provision and lading ashore.
Soon afterwards the three Toigons came to see the
hostages; and informed Korovin, that Medvedeff's vessel
rode securely at anchor before Umnak.
September 15, when every thing was prepared for
wintering, Korovin and Barnasheff set out in two baidars,
each with nine men and one of the hostages, who had
a slight knowledge of the Russian language. They
went along the Northern coast of the island, towards
its Western extremity, in order to hunt, and to enquire
after a certain interpreter called Kashmak, who had been
employed by Glottoff on a former occasion. Having
rowed about twenty versts, they passed by a village,
and landed at another which lay about five versts further.
But as the number of inhabitants seemed to
amount to two hundred, they durst not venture to the
dwellings, but stayed by the baidar. Upon this the
Toigon of the place came to them, with his wife and
son: he shewed a tribute-quittance, and delivered his
son, a boy of thirteen years of age and whom Korovin
called Stepanka, as an hostage, for which he received a
present of corals.
They rowed now further to a third village, about
fifteen versts from the former, where they found the
interpreter Kashmak; the latter accompanied them to
the two Toigons, who gave them a friendly reception,
and shewed their tribute-quittances. A few natives only
made their appearance; the others, as the Toigons pretended,
were gone out to fish. The next morning each
Toigon gave a boy as an hostage; one of the boys Korovin
called Gregory, and the other Alexèy. The Russians
were detained there two days by a violent storm;
during which time a letter from Medvedeff was brought
by an Aleütian, and an answer was returned by the same
person. The storm at length somewhat abating, they
rowed back to the next village, where they continued
two nights without any apprehensions from the savages.
At length Korovin returned in safety with the hostages
to the crew.
Builds an Hut, and makes Preparations
for Wintering.
In the beginning of October they built a
winter-hut, partly of wood and partly of seal-skins, and made all
the necessary preparations for hunting. On the 14th,
two companies, each consisting of eleven men, were sent
out upon an hunting party to the Eastern point of the
island; they returned in four days with hostages.
About sixty versts from the haven, they had met a
party of twenty-five Russians, commanded by Drusinin.
About the same time some Toigons brought a present of
sturgeon and whale's blubber, and received in return
some beads and provision.
Korovin and his company now thought themselves
secure; for which reason twenty-three men, under the
command of the above-mentioned Barnasheff, were dispatched
in two baidars upon an hunting party towards
the Western point of the island. Eight muskets were
distributed to each boat, a pistol and a lance to each
man, and also a sufficient store of ammunition and provision.
The following day two accounts were sent from
Barnasheff; and letters were also received from the crew
of Protassoff's vessel. From the 2d of November to the
8th of December, the Russians, who remained with Korovin,
killed forty-eight dark-coloured foxes, together
with an hundred and seventeen of the common sort:
during this expedition one man was lost. Some of the
natives came occasionally in baidars, and exchanged sea-otters
and fox skins for corals. On the 8th of December
letters were again brought from Barnasheff and also
from the crew of Protassoff's ship. Answers were returned
by the same messengers.
After the departure of these messengers, the mother
of Alexèy came with a message from the Toigon her husband
importing, that a large number of islanders were
making towards the ship. Upon this Korovin ordered
the men to arms, and soon after seventy natives approached
and held up some sea-otter skins. The Russians cried
out that no more than ten at a time should come over the
brook towards their hut: upon which the islanders left
their skins with Korovin, and returned without attempting
any hostilities. Their apprehensions were now somewhat
quieted, but they were again raised by the arrival
of three Kamtchadals belonging to Kulkoff's ship, who
flew for protection to Korovin: they brought the account
that the crew had been killed by the savages, and
the vessel destroyed. It was now certain that the seventy
islanders above-mentioned had come with hostile intentions.
This information spread such a sudden panic
among the Russians, that it was even proposed to burn
the vessel, and to endeavour to find their companions,
who were gone upon hunting parties.
The Russians attacked by the
Natives.
That day however passed without any attack: but
towards the evening of the 10th of December, the savages assembled
in large bodies, and invested the hut on all
sides. Four days and nights they never ceased annoying
the Russians with their darts; two of the latter were
killed, and the survivors were nearly exhausted by continual
fatigue. Upon the fifth day the islanders took post
in a neighbouring cavern, where they continued watching
the Russians so closely during a whole month, that
none of the latter durst venture fifty paces from
their dwelling. Korovin, finding himself thus annoyed
by the natives, ordered the hut to be destroyed: he
then retired to his vessel, which was brought for greater
security out of the mouth of the rivulet to the distance of
an hundred yards from the beach. There they lay at
anchor from the 5th of March to the 26th of April,
during which time they suffered greatly from want of
provision, and still more from the scurvy.
During this period they were attacked by a large body
of the natives, who advanced in forty baidars with the
hopes of surprising the vessel. Korovin had been warned
of their approach by two of the inhabitants, one of whom
was a relation of the interpreter Kashmak: accordingly
he was prepared for their reception. As soon as
the savages came near the vessel, they brandished
their darts and got ready for the attack. Korovin however
had no sooner fired and killed one person, than they
were struck with a panic and rowed away. They were so
incensed at this failure of success, that they immediately
put to death the two good-natured natives, who had betrayed
their design to the Russians. Soon afterwards the
father of Alexèy came and demanded his son, who was
restored to him: and on the 30th of March Korovin and
his three companions arrived as it is mentioned in the
preceding chapter. By this reinforcement the number
of the crew amounted to eighteen persons.
Korovin puts to Sea. The Vessel stranded
upon Umnak.
April 26 Korovin put to sea from Unalashka with the
crew and eleven hostages. The vessel was driven until
the 28th by contrary winds, and then stranded in a bay
of the island Umnak. The ammunition and sails, together
with the skins for the construction of baidars,
were brought ashore with great difficulty. During the
disembarkation one sick man was drowned, another died
as soon as he came to land, and eight hostages ran
away
amidst the general confusion. There still remained the
faithful interpreter Kashmak and three hostages. The
whole number of the Russians amounted to only sixteen
persons; and of these three were sick of the scurvy.
Under these circumstances they secured themselves between
their baidar and some empty barrels, which they
covered with seal-skins, while the sails were spread over
them in form of a tent. Two Russians kept watch;
and there being no appearance of any islanders, the
others retired to sleep.
The Russians in Danger of being destroyed
by the Natives.
Before break of day, about an hundred savages
advancing secretly from the sea-side, threw their darts at
the distance of twenty yards with such force, that many
of them pierced through the baidar and the skins;
others fell from above through the sails. By this discharge,
the two persons who kept watch, together with the three hostages,
were killed upon the spot; and all the Russians were wounded. The
latter indeed were so effectually surprised, as to be prevented
from having recourse to their fire-arms. In this distress Korovin
sallied out, in company with four Russians, and attacked the enemy
with lances: two of the savages were killed, and the others driven
to flight. |The
latter repulsed.| Korovin and his
party were so severely wounded, that they had scarcely strength
sufficient to return to their tent.
During the night the storm increased to such a degree,
that the vessel was entirely dashed to pieces. The
greatest part of the wreck, which was cast on shore
by the sea, was carried away by the islanders. They
also broke to pieces the barrels of fat, emptied the sacks
of provision, and destroyed most of the furs: having
thus satisfied their resentment, they went away; and
did not again make their appearance until the 30th of
April. Upon their retiring, the Russians collected the
wretched remains which had been left untouched by
the savages, or which the waves had cast on shore since
their departure.
April 30, a body of an hundred and fifty natives
advanced from the Eastern point of the island towards
the tent; and, at the distance of an hundred yards,
shot at the Russians with fire arms, but luckily without
execution. They also set on fire the high grass, and
the wind blew the flames towards the tent; but the
Russians firing forced the enemy to flight, and gained
time to extinguish the flames.
This was the last attack which was made upon Korovin;
although sickness and misery detained him and his companions
upon this spot until the 21st of July. They then
put to sea in a baidar eight yards long, which they
had constructed in order to make to Protassoff's vessel,
with whose fate they were as yet unacquainted. Their
number was now reduced to twelve persons, among
whom were six Kamtchadals.
The Russians discover the dead Bodies of their
Countrymen who had been murdered by the Natives.
After having
rowed ten days they landed upon the
beach of the same island Umnak; there they observed
the remains of a vessel which had been burnt, and saw
some clothes, sails, and ropes, torn to pieces. At a small
distance was an empty Russian dwelling, and near it a
bath-room, in which they found, to their inexpressible
terror, twenty dead bodies in their clothes. Each of
them had a thong of leather, or his own girdle, fastened
about the neck, with which he had been dragged along.
Korovin and his companions recollected them to have
been some of those who had sailed in Protassoff's vessel;
and could distinguish among the rest the commander
Medvedeff. They discovered no further traces of the
remaining crew; and as none ever appeared, we have
no account of the circumstances with which this catastrophe
was attended.
Relieved from their Distresses by the Arrival
of Glottoff.
After having buried his dead countrymen, Korovin
and his companions began to build an hut: they were
prevented however from finishing it, by the unexpected
arrival of Stephen Glottoff[52], who came to them with
a small party by land. Korovin and his companions
accordingly joined Glottoff, and rowed the next day to
his vessel.
Soon afterwards Korovin was sent with a party of
twenty men to coast the island of Umnak, in order to
discover if any part of Medvedeff's crew had made their
escape from the general massacre: but his enquiries
were without success. In the course of this expedition,
as he lay at anchor, in September, before a small island
situated between Umnak and Unalashka, some savages
rowed towards the Russians in two large baidars; and
having shot at them with fire-arms, though without
effect, instantly retired. The same evening Korovin
entered a bay of the island Umnak, with an intention
of passing the night on shore: but as he came near
the coast, a large number of savages in an hundred baidars
surrounded and saluted him with a volley of darts.
Korovin fired and soon dispersed them; and immediately
made to a large baidar, which he saw at some distance,
in hopes of finding some Russians. He was
however mistaken; the islanders who were aboard landed
at his approach, and, after shooting at him from their
fire-arms, retired to the mountains.
Korovin found there an empty baidar, which he knew
to be the same in which Barnasheff had sailed, when he
was sent upon an hunting party. Within were nothing
but two hatchets and some iron points for darts. Three
women were seized at the same time; and two natives,
who refused to surrender themselves, were put to death.
They then made to the dwelling, from which all the
inhabitants had run away, and found therein pieces of
Russian leather, blades of small knives, shirts, and other
things, which had belonged to the Russians. All the
information which they could procure from the women
whom they had taken prisoners, was, that the crew had
been killed, and this booty taken away by the inhabitants,
who had retired to the island Unalashka. Korovin
gave these women their liberty, and, being apprehensive
of fresh attacks, returned to the haven.
Towards winter Korovin, with a party of twenty-two
men, was sent upon an hunting expedition to the Western
point of Unalashka: he was accompanied by an
Aleütian interpreter, called Ivan Glottoff. Being informed
by some islanders, that a Russian ship, under
the command of Ivan Solovioff[53], was then lying before
Unalashka, he immediately rowed towards the haven
where she was at anchor. On the way he had a sharp
encounter with the natives, who endeavoured to prevent
him from landing: of these, ten were killed
upon the spot; and the remainder fled away, leaving
behind them some women and children.
Korovin staid three days aboard Solovioff's vessel,
and then returned to the place where he had been so
lately attacked. The inhabitants however, for this
time, made no opposition to his landing; on the contrary,
they received him with kindness, and permitted
him to hunt: they even delivered hostages; and entered
into a friendly traffic, exchanging furs for beads. They
were also prevailed upon to restore several muskets
and other things, taken from the Russians who had
been massacred.
A short time before his departure, the inhabitants
again shewed their hostile intentions; for three of them
came up to the Russian centinel, and suddenly fell upon
him with their knives. The centinel however disengaging
himself, and retreating into the hut, they ran
away. The Toigons of the village protested ignorance
of this treachery; and the offenders were soon afterwards
discovered and punished. Korovin, as he was
returning to Glottoff, was forced to engage with the
islanders upon Unalashka, and also upon Umnak, where
they endeavoured to prevent him from landing. Before
the end of the year a storm drove the baidar upon
the beach of the latter island; and the tempestuous
weather setting in, they were detained there until the
6th of April, 1765. During this time they were reduced,
from a scarcity of provision, to live chiefly upon
sea-wrack and small shell fish. On the 22d they returned
to Glottoff; and as they had been unsuccessful
in hunting, their cargo of furs was very inconsiderable.
Three days after his arrival, Korovin quitted Glottoff,
and went over with five other Russians to Solovieff, with
whom he returned the following year to Kamtchatka.
The six Kamtchadals of Korovin's party joined Glottoff.
Korovin's Description of Umnak and
Unalashka.
According to Korovin's account, the islands Umnak
and Unalashka are situated not much more Northwards
than the mouth of the Kamtchatka river; and, according
to the ship's reckoning, about the distance of 1700
versts Eastwards from the same place. The circumference
of Umnak is about two hundred and fifty versts;
Unalashka is much larger. Both these islands are wholly
destitute of trees; drift-wood is brought ashore in large
quantities. There were five lakes upon the Northern
coast of Unalashka, and but one upon Umnak, of which
none were more than ten versts in circumference. These
lakes give rise to several small rivulets, which flow only
a few versts before they empty themselves into the sea:
the fish enter the rivulets in the middle of April,
they ascend the lakes in July, and continue there until
August. Sea-otters and other sea-animals resort but
seldom to these islands; but there is great abundance of
red and black foxes. North Eastwards from Unalashka
two islands appeared in sight, at the distance of five or
ten versts; but Korovin did not touch at them.
Account of the Inhabitants.
The
inhabitants of these islands row in their small
baidars from one island to the other. They are so
numerous, and their manner of life so unsettled, that
their number cannot exactly be determined. Their
dwelling caves are made in the following manner. They
first dig an hole in the earth proportioned to the size of
their intended habitation, of twenty, thirty, or forty
yards in length, and from six to ten broad. They
then set up poles of larch, firs, and ash driven on the
coast by the sea. Across the top of these poles they
lay planks, which they cover with grass and earth.
They enter through holes in the top by means of ladders.
Fifty, an hundred, and even an hundred and fifty
persons dwell together in such a cave. They light little
or no fires within, for which reason these dwellings are
much cleaner than those of the Kamtchadals. When
they want to warm themselves in the winter, they make
a fire of dry herbs, of which they have collected a large
store in summer, and stand over it until they are sufficiently
warmed. A few of these islanders wear fur-stockings
in winter; but the greatest part go bare-footed,
and all are without breeches. The skins of cormorants,
puffins, and sea-divers, serve for the mens clothing; and
the women wear the skins of sea-bears, seals, and sea-otters.
They sleep upon thick mats, which they twist out of a
soft kind of grass that grows upon the shore, and have
no other covering but their usual clothes. Many of the
men have five or six wives; and he that is the best
hunter or fisher has the greatest number. The women
make their needles of the bones of birds wings, and use
sinews for thread.
Their weapons are bows and arrows, lances and darts,
which they throw like the Greenlanders to the distance of
sixty yards by means of a little hand-board. Both the darts
and arrows are feathered: the former are about an ell and
an half long; the shaft, which is well made considering
their want of instruments, is often composed of two pieces
that join into each other: the point is of flint, sharpened
by beating it between two stones. These darts as well as
the lances were formerly tipped with bone, but at present
the points are commonly made of the iron which they
procure from the Russians, and out of which they
ingeniously form little hatchets and two-edged knives.
They shape the iron by rubbing it between two stones,
and whetting it frequently with sea-water. With these
instruments and stone hatchets they build their baidars.
They have a strange custom of cutting holes in the
under-lip and through the gristle of the nose. They
place in the former two little bones, wrought in the
form of teeth, which project some inches from the
face. In the nose a piece of bone is placed crossways.
The deceased are buried with their boat, weapons, and
clothes[54].
Here follows one of the most memorable voyages
yet made, which extended farther, and terminated
more fortunately, than the last mentioned expeditions.
Voyage of Glottoff in the Andrean and Natalia,
1762.
Terenty Tsebaeffskoi and company, merchants of
Lalsk, fitted out the Andrean and Natalia under the command
of Stephen Glottoff, an experienced and skilful
seaman of Yarensk. This vessel sailed from the bay of
the river Kamtchatka the 1st of October, 1762, manned
with thirty-eight Russians and eight Kamtchadals. In
eight days they reached Mednoi Ostroff, or Copper Island,
where having sought out a convenient harbour, they
unloaded and laid up the vessel for the winter. |Winters upon Copper
Island.| Their
first care was to supply themselves with provisions;
and
they killed afterwards a quantity of ice-foxes, and a considerable
number of sea-otters.
For the benefit of the crown and their own use in case
of need, they resolved to take on board all the remaining
tackle and iron work of Beering's ship, which had been
left behind on Commander's Island, and was buried in
the beach. For this purpose they dispatched, on the 27th
of May, Jacob Malevinskoy (who died soon after) with
thirteen men in a baidar to that island, which was seventy
versts distant. They brought back with them twenty-two
pood of iron, ten of old cordage fit for caulker's use,
some lead and copper, and several thousand beads.
Copper Island has its name from the native copper
found on the coast, particularly at the Western point on
its South side. Of this native copper Malevinskoy brought
with him two large pieces weighing together twelve
pounds, which were picked up between a rock and the
sea on a strand of about twelve yards in breadth. Amongst
other floating bodies which the sea drives upon the shores
of this Island, the true right camphor wood, and another
sort of wood very white, soft, and sweet-scented, are
occasionally found.
Sails to the Fox Islands.
Every
preparation for continuing the voyage being
made, they sailed from Copper Island the 26th of July,
1763, and steered for the Islands Umnak and
Agunalashka,
where Glottoff had formerly observed great numbers
of black foxes. On account of storms and contrary
winds, they were thirty days before they fetched Umnak.
|Arrive at
Kadyak.| Here
they arrived the 24th of August, and without dropping
anchor or losing any time, they resolved to sail further
for the discovery of new islands: they passed eight
contiguous to each other and separated by straits, which
were to the best of their estimation from twenty to an
hundred versts broad. Glottoff however did not land
till he reached the last and most Eastward of these islands,
called by the inhabitants Kadyak, from which the natives
said it was not far to the coast of a wide extended
woody continent. No land however was to be seen from
a little island called by the natives Aktunak, which is situated
about thirty versts more to the East than Kadyak.
September 8th, the vessel ran up a creek, lying South
East of Aktunak, through which a rivulet empties itself
into the sea; this rivulet comes from a lake six versts
long, one broad, and about fifty fathoms deep. During
the ebb of the tide the vessel was left aground; but the
return of the water set her again afloat. Near the shore
were four large huts, so crouded with people, that their
number could scarcely be counted: however, soon after
Glottoff's arrival, all these inhabitants quitted their dwellings,
and retired with precipitation. The next day some
islanders in baidars approached the vessel, and accosted
the people on board: and as Ivan Glottoff, the Aleütian
interpreter, did not well understand the language of these
islanders, they soon afterwards returned with a boy whom
they had formerly taken prisoner from Isanak, one of
the islands which lie to the West of Kadyak. Him the
Aleütian interpreter perfectly understood: and by his
means every necessary explanation could be obtained
from the islanders.
In this manner they conversed with the savages, and
endeavoured to persuade them to become tributary; they
used also every argument in their power to prevail upon
them to give up the boy for an interpreter; but all their
entreaties were for the present without effect. The savages
rowed back to the cliff called Aktalin, which lies
about three versts to the South of Kadyak, where they
seemed to have habitations.
On the 6th of September Kaplin was sent with thirteen
men to the cliff, to treat peaceably with the islanders.
He found there ten huts, from which about an hundred
of the natives came out. They behaved seemingly in a
friendly manner, and answered the interpreter by the
boy, that they had nobody proper for an hostage; but
that they would deliver up the boy to the Russians agreeable
to their desire. Kaplin received him very thankfully,
and brought him on board, where he was properly
taken care of: he afterwards accompanied Glottoff
to Kamtchatka, and was baptized by the name of Alexander
Popoff, being then about thirteen years of age.
For some days after this conference the islanders came off
in companies of five, ten, twenty, and thirty: they
were admitted on board in small numbers, and kindly
received, but with a proper degree of circumspection.
On the 8th of September the vessel was brought further
up the creek without unloading her cargo: and on
the 9th Glottoff with ten men proceeded to a village on
the shore about two hundred yards from the vessel,
where the natives had begun to reside: it consisted of
three summer-huts covered only with long grass: they
were from eight to ten yards broad, twelve long, and
about four high: they saw there about an hundred men,
but neither women nor children.
Finding it impossible to persuade the savages to give
hostages, Glottoff resolved to let his people remain together,
and to keep a strong guard.
The Natives attack the Russians, but
are defeated.
The islanders visited them still in small bodies;
it was however more and more visible that their intentions were
bad. At last on the 1st of October, by day break, a
great number having assembled together in the remote
parts of the island, came unexpectedly across the country.
They approached very near without being discovered
by the watch, and seeing nobody on deck but those
on duty, shot suddenly into the vessel with arrows. The
watch found refuge behind the quarter boards, and gave
the alarm without firing. Glottoff immediately ordered
a volley to be fired over their heads with small arms;
upon which they immediately returned with great expedition.
As soon as it was day there was no enemy to be
seen: but they discovered a number of ladders, several
bundles of hay in which the savages had put sulphur,
likewise a quantity of birch-tree bark, which had been
left behind in their precipitate flight.
They now found it very necessary to be on their guard
against the attempts of these perfidious incendiaries.
Their suspicions were still further increased by the subsequent
conduct of the natives: for though the latter came
to the vessel in small bodies, yet it was observed that they
examined every thing, and more particularly the watch,
with the strictest attention; and they always returned
without paying any regard to the friendly propositions
of the Russians.
On the 4th of October about two hundred islanders
made their appearance, carrying wooden shields before
them, and preparing with bows and arrows for an attack.
Glottoff endeavoured at first by persuasion to prevail
upen them to desist; but observing that they still continued
advancing, he resolved to venture a sally. This
intrepidity disconcerted the islanders, and they immediately
retreated without making the least resistance.
The 26th of October they ventured a third attack,
and advanced towards the vessel for this purpose by day-break:
the watch however gave the alarm in due time,
and the whole crew were immediately under arms. The
approach of day-light discovered to their view different
parties of the enemy advancing under the protection of
wooden screens. Of these moving breast-works they
counted seven; and behind each from thirty to forty
men armed with bone lances. Besides these a croud of
armed men advanced separately to the attack, some of
them bearing whale jaw-bones, and others wooden shields.
Dissuasion proving ineffectual, and the arrows beginning
to fall even aboard the ship, Glottoff gave orders to fire.
|The Natives are finally
repulsed by the Russians.| The
shot from the small arms however not being of force
enough to pierce the screens, the islanders advanced under
their protection with steadiness and intrepidity. Glottoff
nevertheless determined to risk a sally of his whole crew
armed with muskets and lances. The islanders instantly
threw down their screens, and fled with precipitation until
they gained their boats, into which they threw themselves
and rowed off. They had about seventeen large baidars
and a number of small canoes. The screens which they
left behind were made of three rows of stakes placed perpendicularly,
and bound together with sea-weed and osiers;
they were twelve feet broad, and above half a yard thick.
The Russians winter at Kadyak.
The
islanders now appearing to be sufficiently intimidated,
the Russians began to build a winter hut of floated
wood, and waited in a body the appearance of spring
without further annoyance. Although they saw nobody
before the 25th of December, yet Glottoff kept his people
together; sending out occasionally small hunting and
fishing parties to the lake, which lay about five versts
from the creek. During the whole winter they caught
in the lake several different species of trout and salmon,
soles, and herrings of a span and a half long, and even
turbot and cod-fish, which came up with the flood into
the lake.
At last, on the 25th of December, two islanders came
to the ship, and conversed at a distance by means of
interpreters. Although proposals of peace, and trade
were held out to them in the most friendly manner,
yet they went off without seeming to put much
confidence in these offers: nor did any of them
appear again before the 4th of April, 1764. Want
of sufficient exercise in the mean time brought on a
violent scurvy among the crew, by which disorder nine
persons were carried off.
On the 4th of April four islanders made their appearance,
and seemed to pay more attention to the proposals:
one of them at last advanced, and offered to barter
two fox-skins for beads. They did not set the least
value
upon other goods of various kinds, such as shirts,
linen, and nankeen, but demanded glass beads of different
colours, for which they exchanged their skins with
pleasure. |The Natives
are reconciled to the Russians.|
This friendly traffic, together with Glottoff's
entreaties, operated so powerfully, that, after holding a
consultation with their countrymen, they returned with
a solemn declaration, that their brethren would in future
commit no hostilities against the Russians. From that
time until their departure a daily intercourse was carried
on with the islanders, who brought all sorts of fox and
sea-otter skins, and received in exchange a stipulated
number of beads. Some of them were even persuaded
to pay a tribute of skins, for which receipts were given.
Amongst other wares the Russians procured two small
carpets, worked or platted in a curious manner, and on
one side set close with beaver-wool like velvet: they
could not however learn whether these carpets were
wrought by the islanders. The latter brought also for
sale well-dressed sea-otter skins, the hair of which was
shorn quite short with sharp stones, in such a manner,
that the remainder, which was of a yellowish brown
colour, glistened and appeared like velvet. Their caps
had surprising and sometimes very ornamental decorations:
some of them had on the forepart combs adorned
with manes like an helmet; others, seemingly peculiar
to the females, were made of intestines stitched together
with rein-deer hair and sinews in a most elegant
taste, and ornamented on the crown with long streamers
of hair died of a beautiful red. Of all these curiosities
Glottoff carried samples to Kamtchatka[55].
Animals of Kadyak.
The natives differ
considerably in dress and language from the inhabitants of the other
Fox Islands: and several species of animals were observed upon
Kadyak, which are not to be found upon the other islands, viz.
ermines, martens, beavers, river otters, wolves, wild boars,
and bears: the last-mentioned animal was not indeed
actually seen by the Russians, but the prints of its feet
were traced. Some of the inhabitants had clothes made
of the skins of rein-deer and jevras; the latter of which
is a sort of small marmoset. Both these skins were probably
procured from the continent of America[56]. Black,
brown, and red foxes were seen in great numbers; and
the coast abounds with sea-dogs, sea-bears, sea-lions, and
sea-otters. The birds are cranes, geese, ducks, gulls,
ptarmigans, crows, and magpies; but no uncommon
species was any where discovered. |Productions.| The vegetable
productions
are bilberries, cranberries, wortleberries, and
wild lily-roots. Kadyak likewise yields willows and alders,
which circumstance affords the strongest proof that
it lies at no great distance from the continent of America.
The extent of Kadyak cannot be exactly ascertained,
as the Russians, through apprehension of the natives, did
not venture to explore the country.
Account of the Inhabitants.
The
inhabitants, like those of the Aleütian and nearer
islands, make holes in the under-lips and through the
gristle of the nose, in which they insert the bones of
birds and animals worked into the form of teeth. Their
clothes are made of the skins of birds, foxes, sea-otters,
young rein-deer, and marmosets; they sew them together
with sinews. They wear also fur-stockings of rein-deer
skins, but no breeches. Their arms are bows, arrows,
and lances, whose points, as well as their small hatchets,
are of sharp flint: some few make knives and lance
points of rein-deer bones. Their wooden shields are
called kuyaky, which amongst the Greenlanders signifies
a small canoe. Their manners are altogether rude.
They have not the least disposition to give a courteous
reception to strangers: nor does there appear amongst
themselves any kind of deference or submission from
one to another.
Their canoes are some of them so small as to contain
only one or two persons; others are large baidars similar
to the women's boats of the Greenlanders. Their food
consists chiefly of raw and dried fish, partly caught at
sea with bone hooks, and partly in rivulets, in bagnets
made of sinews platted together. They call themselves
Kanagist, a name that has no small resemblance to
Karalit; by which appellation, the Greenlanders and Esquimaux
on the coast of Labradore distinguish themselves:
the difference between these two denominations is occasioned
perhaps by a change of pronunciation, or by a
mistake of the Russian sailors, who may have given it
this variation. Their numbers seem very considerable
on that part of the island, where they had their fixed
habitations.
The island Kadyak[57] makes, with Aghunalashka, Umnak,
and the small islands lying between them, a continued
Archipelago, extending N. E. and E. N. E. towards America:
it lies by the ship's reckoning in 230 degrees of
longitude; so that it cannot be far distant from that
part of the American coast which Beering formerly
touched at.
The large island Alaksu, lying Northward from Kadyak
where Pushkaref[58] wintered, must be still nearer the
continent: and the account propagated by its inhabitants
of a great promontory, called Atachtak, stretching from
the continent N. E. of Alaksu, is not at all improbable.
Although the conduct of the islanders appeared more
friendly, yet on account of their numbers Glottoff resolved
not to pass another winter upon Kadyak, and accordingly
prepared for his departure. He wanted hoops for repairing
his water-casks; and being told by the natives
that there were trees on the island at no great distance
from the bay, he dispatched on the 25th of April Lukas
Ftoruskin with eleven men for the purpose of felling
wood. Ftoruskin returned the same day with the following
intelligence: that after rowing along the South
coast of the island forty or fifty versts from the haven,
he observed, about half a verst from the shore, a considerable
number of alders, similar to those found in Kamtchatka,
growing in vallies between the rocks. The largest
trunks were from two to four vershocks in diameter.
Of this wood he felled as much as he had occasion for;
and returned without having met with either islander
or habitation.
Departure from Kadyak, May, 1764.
They
brought the vessel down the creek in May; and,
after taking in all the peltry and stores, left Kadyak on
the 24th. Contrary winds retarded their voyage, and
drove them near the island Alaksu, which they passed;
their water being nearly exhausted, they
afterwards
landed upon another island, called Saktunk, in order
to procure a fresh stock. |Arrival at Umnak.| At last on the 3d of July,
they arrived again at Umnak, and anchored in a bay
which Glottoff had formerly visited. He immediately
went ashore in a baidar, and soon found out his former
hut, which was in ruins: near it he observed another
Russian dwelling, that had been built in his absence,
in which lay a murdered Russian, but whose face none
of them knew. Glottoff, resolving to procure further information,
went across the island the 5th of July, accompanied
by sixteen of his crew. He discovered the remains
of a burnt vessel, some prayer books, images, &c.; all the
iron work and cordage were carried off. Near the spot he
found likewise a bathing room filled with murdered Russians
in their clothes. From some marks, he concluded
that this was the vessel fitted out by Protassoff; nor was
he mistaken in his conjectures.
Alarmed at the fate of his countrymen, Glottoff returned
to the ship, and held a consultation upon the
measures necessary to be taken; and it was unanimously
resolved that they should endeavour to procure more
intelligence concerning the vessel. In the mean time
seven islanders came rowing off in baidars, and pretended
that they wanted to trade. They shewed sea-otter
skins at a distance, but would not venture on board;
and desired by the interpreter Glottoff and two of his
people to come on shore and barter. Glottoff however,
having sufficient cause to distrust the savages, refused
to comply with their demands: upon this they immediately
landed, and shot from the shore with fire-arms, but
without doing any execution. They were even bold enough
to get into their canoes a second time, and to row near the
vessel. In order if possible to procure intelligence from
them, every method of persuading them to peace was tried
by means of the interpreters; and at last one of them
approached the ship and demanded victuals, which being
thrown to him, he came on board. He then related the
fate of the above-mentioned vessel, of which the islanders
had made themselves masters; and gave likewise some intelligence
concerning the remaining small body of fugitives
under the command of Korovin. He also confessed,
that their design was to entice Glottoff on shore, and
then to kill him; for which purpose more than thirty
islanders were posted in ambush behind the nearest
rocks. After cutting off the leader, they imagined it
would be an easy matter to seize upon the ship. Upon
this information Glottoff detained the islander on
board, and landing with a strong party attacked the
savages; the latter shot with arrows, as well as from
the muskets which they had seized, but without effect,
and were soon forced to retire to their canoes.
July the 14th a violent storm arose, in which Glottoff's
vessel parted her cable, and was forced on shore
without any other loss than that of an anchor. The
crew likewise, through want of fresh provisions, began
to grow so sickly, that they were almost in a defenceless
state. Glottoff however, with ten men, set out the 28th
of July for that part of the island, where according to
information they expected to find Korovin. They discovered
only parts of the wreck, but none of the crew,
so that they now gave them up for lost. But on the
2d of August, as Glottoff was on his way back, five
islanders approached him in canoes, and asked why the
baidar had been out; to which a false answer being
given, they told him, that on the other side of the island
he would find Korovin with his people, who were
building an hut on the side of the rivulet. Upon receiving
this intelligence, Glottoff and his companions
went over land to the place pointed out by the islanders,
and found every thing agreeable to their information:
in this Korovin had not the least share, not having
been made privy to the transaction. The circumstances
of his joining, and afterwards separating from Glottoff,
have already been mentioned[59].
Glottoff winters upon Umnak.
Glottoff
now resolved to winter upon Umnak, and accordingly
laid up his vessel for that purpose. On the 2d
of September Korovin, as is before related, was at his
own desire sent out with a hunting party in two baidars.
On his return, in May 1765, they had the first intelligence
of the arrival of Solovioff's vessel, which lay before
Unalashka, and of which an account shall be given[60].
None of the islanders appeared near the harbour during
the winter, and there were none probably at that time
upon Umnak; for Glottoff made excursions on all sides,
and went once round the island. He likewise looked
into the habitations of the islanders, and found them
empty: he examined the country and caused a strict search
to be made after the remains of the plundered vessel.
According to his account Umnak is about 300 versts in
circumference. It contains several small rivulets, which
take their rise from lakes, and fall into the sea after a
very short course. No trees were observed upon the
island, and the vegetables were the same as those of
Kamtchatka.
The following summer small parties of the inhabitants
were seen; but they immediately fled upon the approach
of the Russians. Some of them however were at last
persuaded to a friendly intercourse and to pay a tribute:
by these means they got back part of the arms, anchors,
and iron work, of the plundered vessel. They continued
to barter with the natives during the summer of 1765,
exchanging beads for the skins of foxes and sea-otters.
Departure from Umnak.
The
following winter hunting parties were sent out
in Umnak as well as to Unalashka; and in July 1766
Glottoff, without meeting with any more difficulties
began his voyage homewards. We shall here conclude
with giving a copy of the journal kept on board Glottoff's
vessel, the Andrean and Natalia; from which inferences
with regard to the situation of the islands may be drawn.
Journal of the Voyage.
Journal of
Glottoff, on board the Andrean and Natalia.
| 1762. |
| Oct. 1. | Sailed from Kamtchatka Bay. |
| 2. | Wind Southerly, steered between E. and S. E. three hours. |
| 3. | Wind S. E. worked at N. E. course, 16 hours. |
| 4. | From midnight sailed East with a fair wind, 18 hours. |
| 5. | At Six o'clock A. M. discovered Beering's Island distant about 18 versts. |
| 6. | At 1 o'clock came to anchor on the South East point of Copper Island. |
| 7. | At 8 A. M. sailed to the South side of the Island, anchored there at 10 o'clock. |
| 1763. |
| July 26. | Sailed from Copper Island at 5 P. M. |
| 27. | Sailed with a fair S. S. W. wind, 17 hours. |
| 28. | Made little way. |
| 29. | Drove—wind E. N. E. |
| 30. | Ditto. |
| 31. | Ditto. |
| Aug. 1. | Ditto. |
| 2. | At 11 A. M. wind N. E. steered E. |
| 3. | Wind W. S. W. sailed 8 knots an hour, 250 versts. |
| 4. | Wind South—sailed 150 versts. |
| 5. | Wind ditto—sailed 126 versts. |
| 7. | Calm. |
| 8. | During the night gentle S. E. wind steered, N. E. at 2-1/2 knots. |
| 9. | Forenoon calm. At 2 o'clock P. M. gentle N. E. wind, steered between E. N. E. and S. E. at the rate of three knots. |
| 10. | Morning, wind E. N. E. afterwards S. S. W. with which steered N. E. |
| 11. | At 5 o'clock the wind S. S. E. steered E. N. E. at the rate of three knots. |
| 12. | Wind S. steered E. at 2-1/2 knots, sailed 50 versts. |
| 13. | Wind S. S. E. steered E. at 4-1/2 knots, sailed 90 versts. |
| 14. | Wind W. N. W. at 2 knots, sailed 30 versts. |
| 15. | The wind freshened, at 4 knots, sailed 60 versts. |
| 16. | Wind N. N. E. steered E. S. E. at 3 knots, sailed 30 versts. |
| 17. | Wind E. S. E. and S. E. light breezes and changeable. |
| 18. | Wind S. E. steered N. E. at 3-1/2 knots, sailed in 12 hours 22 versts. |
| 19. | Wind S. and light breezes, steered E. at 3 knots, sailed in 8 hours 11 versts. |
| 20. | Before day-break calm; three hours after sun-rise a breeze sprung up at S. E. steered E. N. E. at 3 knots, and sailed 20 versts. |
| 23. | Wind S. S. E. during the night, the ship sailed at the rate of 2 knots; the wind afterwards came round to the S. S. W. and the ship sailed at 5 to 6 knots these 24 hours 150 versts. |
| 24. | Saw land at day-break, at 3 knots sailed 45 versts. |
| 25. | Wind W. S. W. sailed along the coast these 24 hours 50 versts. |
| 26. | Wind N. W. steered N. E. at 5-1/2 knots, 100 versts. |
| 27. | Wind E. N. E. the ship drove towards land, on which discovered a high mountain. |
| 28. | Wind N. E. and stormy, the ship drove. |
| 29. | Wind N. W. steered E. N. E. at the rate of 3 knots. |
| 30. | Wind S. S. E. at 6 knots, steering again towards land. |
| 31. | A violent storm, Wind west. |
| Sept. 1. | Wind West, steered N. E. at the rate of 3 knots towards land. |
| 2. | Wind S. W. steered N. E. towards land at 5 knots. |
| 3. | Wind S. W. drove N. N. E. along the coast. |
| 4. | Wind W. N. W. steered N. E. at 4 knots, sailed 100 versts. |
| 5. | Wind N. W. steered E. N. E. at 3 knots, and towards evening came to anchor off the Island Kadyak. |
| 1764 |
| May 24. | Sailed from Kadyak. |
| 25. | Wind N. W. and made but little way W. S. W. |
| 26. | Wind W. ship drove towards S. E. |
| 27. | Wind W. S. W. ship drove E. S. E. The same day the wind came round to the S. when steered again towards Kadyak. |
| 28. | Wind E. S. E. fell in with the island Alaska or Alaksu. |
| 29. | Wind S. W. steered N. W. |
| 30. | Wind W. N. W. the ship drove under the foresail. |
| 31. | Wind W. drove to the Southward. |
| June 1. | Wind W. S. W. landed on the Island Saktunak, for a supply of water. |
| 2. | Wind S. E. steered S. W. along the island at 3 knots. |
| 3. | Wind N. E. steered W. S. W. at the rate of 3 to 4 knots, sailing in these 24 hours 100 versts. |
| 4. | Calm. |
| 5. | At 8 o'clock A. M. a small breeze S. E. |
| 6. | Wind E. afterwards calm. Towards evening the wind S.E. steered S. W. at 3 knots, and unexpectedly discovered land ahead, which kept clear of with difficulty. |
| From the 7th to the 10th at anchor off a small cliff. |
| 10. | A hard gale at S. the ship drove foul of the anchor, stood out to sea steering E. |
| 13. | Wind S. S. W. stood out to sea and steered E. S. E. |
| 14. | Wind W. S. W. steered S. S. E. at the rate of 1 knot. |
| 15. | Calm. |
| 16. | Wind S. steered W. at 1 knot, the ship drove a little to the Northward. |
| 17. | Wind S. S. E. steered W. S. W. at 3 knots. |
| 18. | Calm. |
| 19. | Ditto. |
| 20. | Wind N. E. steered S. W. and sailed this day about 87 versts. |
| 21. | The Wind blowing right ahead, came to anchor off an unknown island, where continued till the |
| 25. | When stood out to sea early in the morning. |
| 26. | Wind W. N. W. afterwards W. steered S. E. |
| 27. | Calm, in the night a small but favourable breeze. |
| 28. | Wind N. W. continued the course, at the rate of 2 to 3 knots[61]. |
| 29. | Wind N. E. steered W. at 3 to 4 knots, and saw land. |
| 30. | Wind N. E. steered S. W. at the rate of 7 knots. |
| July 1. | With the same wind and course, at the rate of 5 knots, sailed 200 versts. |
| 2. | Fell in with the island Umnak, and came to an anchor under a small island until next day; when brought the ship into the harbour, and laid her up. |
| 1766. |
| June 13. | Brought the ship into the harbour, and continued at anchor there until the 3d of July. |
| July 3. | Got under way. |
| 4. | Wind E. |
| 5. | A South West wind drove the ship about 50 versts N. E. |
| 6. | Wind S. sailed about 60 versts W. |
| 7. | Wind W. S. W. the ship drove to the Northward. |
| 8. | Wind N. W. steered S. at the rate of one knot. |
| 9. | Wind N. W. steered the whole day W. S. W. |
| 10. | Wind S. S. W. sailed about 40 versts W. N. W. |
| 11. | Wind S. W. continued the same course, sailing only 5 versts. |
| 12. | Continued the same course, and sailed 55 versts. |
| 13. | For the most part calm. |
| 14. | Wind W. N. W. and stormy, the ship drove under the foresail. |
| 15. | Wind S. sailed on the proper course 100 versts. |
| 16. | Wind E. S. E. sailed W. S. W. at the rate of 6 knots, 100 versts. |
| 17. | Wind N. N. W. sailed S. W. at the rate of 2 knots, 30 versts. |
| 19. | Wind S. W. the ship drove under the foresail. |
| 20. | Wind E. N. E. steered W. N. W. at the rate of 3 knots. |
| 21. | Wind E. N. E. at the rate of 4 to 5 knots, sailed 200 versts. |
| 22. | Wind N. E. at 4-1/2 knots, 150 versts. |
| 23. | Wind E. N. E. steered W. at 3 knots, 100 versts. |
| 24. | Wind E. steered W. at the rate of 3 knots, 50 versts. |
| 25. | Wind N. E. steered W. at 5 knots 100 versts. |
| 26. | The wind continued N. E. and freshened, steered W. at the rate of 7 knots, 200 versts. |
| 27. | A small breeze N. N. W. with which however sailed 150 versts. |
| 28. | Wind being W. S. W. drove 24 hours under bare-poles. |
| 29. | Wind South, steered W. at the rate of 2 knots, 48 versts—this day saw land. |
| 30. | Wind S. S. E. sailed, at the rate of 4 knots, 96 versts, and approached the land, which found to be the island Karaga—From the 1st to the 13th of August, continued our voyage towards the mouth of Kamtchatka river, sometimes plying to windward, sometimes driving, and at last arrived happily with a rich cargo. |
Voyage of Solovioff in the St. Peter and Paul,
1764.
In the year 1764, Jacob Ulednikoff, merchant of Irkutsk
and company, fitted out a ship called the Holy
Apostles Peter and Paul, under the command of Ivan
Solovioff: she sailed from the mouth of Kamtchatka
river the 25th of August. The crew consisted of fifty-five
men, amongst whom were some of the owners,
and thirteen Kamtchadals.
They steered at first S. E. with the wind at N. W. but
on its coming southerly they afterwards shaped their
course E. N. E. The 27th one of the Russian sailors
died off Kamtchatka point; the 31st they made Beering's
Island, which they passed leaving it on their left. The
1st and 2nd of September they were becalmed, and afterwards
the wind springing up at W. S. W. they continued
their former course; until the 5th they sailed on with
the wind at south; but on the 5th and 6th, from
changeable breezes and dead calms, made no progress;
from the 7th to the 13th, they sailed E. S. E. with
Southerly and Westerly winds; and from that time to
the fifteenth East, with the wind at West.
September 16, they made the island Umnak, where
Solovioff had formerly been in Nikiphoroff's vessel. As
they sailed along the Northern coast, three islanders came
to them in baidars; but, the crew having no interpreter,
they would not come on board. As they found no good
bay on that shore, they proceeded through a strait of
about a verst broad, which separates Umnak from Unalashka.
|Arrival at
Unalashka.| They lay-to
during the night; and early on the 17th dropped anchor at the distance
of about two hundred yards from the shore, in a bay on the North
side of the last mentioned island.
From thence the captain dispatched Gregory Korenoff
at the head of twenty men in a baidar, with orders to
land, reconnoitre the country, find out the nearest habitations,
and report the disposition of the people. Korenoff
returned the same day, with an account that he had
discovered one of the dwelling-caves of the savages, but
abandoned and demolished, in which he had found traces
of Russians, viz. a written legend, and a broken musket-stock.
In consequence of this intelligence, they brought
the ship near the coast, and endeavoured to get into the
mouth of a river called by the natives Tsikanok, and by
the Russians Osernia, but were prevented by shallow water.
They landed however their tackle and lading. No natives
made their appearance until the 22d, when two of
them came of their own accord, and welcomed the Russians
on their arrival. They told their names, and were
recognized by Solovioff; he had known them on a
former expedition, when Agiak, one of the two, had
served as an interpreter; the other, whose name was
Kashmak, had voluntarily continued some time with the
crew on the same occasion.
These two persons recounted the particular circumstances
which attended the loss of Kulkoff's, Protassoff's,
and Trapesnikoff's vessels; from the last of which Kashmak
had, with great hazard of his life, escaped by flight.
Agiak had served as interpreter to Protassoff's company,
and related that the islanders, after murdering the hunting
detachments of the Russians, came to the harbour,
and entered the ship under the most friendly appearances.
Finding the crew in perfect security, they suddenly attacked
and slew them, together with their commander.
He added, that he had hid himself under a bench until
the murderers were gone: that since that time, he, as
well as Kashmak, had lived as fugitives; and in the
course of their wanderings had learned the following
intelligence from the girls who were gathering berries in
the fields. The Toigons of Umnak, Akutan, and
Toshko, with their relations of Unalashka, had formed a
confederacy. They agreed not to disturb any Russians
on their first landing, but to let them go out on different
hunting excursions; being thus separated and weakened,
the intention of the Toigons were to attack and cut
them off at the same time, so that no one party should
have assistance from any of the others. They acquainted
him also with Glottoff's arrival at Umnak.
These unfavourable reports filled Solovioff with anxiety;
he accordingly doubled his watch, and used every
precaution in his power against attacks from the savages.
But wanting wood to repair his vessel, and wishing for
more particular information concerning the situation of
the island, he dispatched the 29th a party of thirty men,
with the above-mentioned interpreter, to its western extremity.
In three or four hours they rowed to Ankonom,
a point of land, where they saw a village, consisting
of two large caves, and over against it a little island at no
great distance. The moment the inhabitants saw them
approaching, they got into their baidars, and put out to
sea, leaving their dwellings empty. The Russians found
therein several skeletons, which, in the interpreter's
opinion, were the remains of ten murdered sailors of
Trapesnikoff's company. With much persuasion the
interpreter prevailed on the islanders to return to the place
which they had just quitted: they kept however at a
wary distance, and were armed for whatever might
occur.
Hostilities between Solovioff and the
Natives.
Solovioff attempting to cut off their retreat, in
order to secure if possible some hostages, they took the alarm,
and began themselves the attack. Upon this the Russians
fired upon and pursued them; four were killed, and
seven taken prisoners, among whom was the Toigon of
the little island Sedak. These prisoners, being bound
and examined, confessed that a number of Korovin's crew
had been murdered in this place; and the Toigon sent
people to bring in a number of muskets, some kettles
and tackle, which the natives had taken upon that occasion.
They also brought intelligence that Korovin, with
a party in two baidars, had taken shelter at a place called
Inalga. Upon this information, letters were immediately
sent to Korovin; upon the receipt of which he joined
them the 2d of October.
At the time of Korovin's arrival, the savages made
another attack on Solovioff's watch with knives; which
obliged the latter to fire, and six of the assailants were
left dead on the spot. The captive Toigon excused
this attempt of his people by ascribing it to their fears,
lest Korovin out of revenge should put all the prisoners to
death; on which account this effort was made to rescue
them. Solovioff, for the greater security, sent the prisoners
by land to the haven, while Korovin and his
party went to the same place by sea. The Toigon however
was treated kindly, and even permitted to return
home on condition of leaving his son as an hostage. In
consequence of this kind behaviour the inhabitants of
three other villages, Agulak, Kutchlok, and Makuski presented
hostages of their own accord.
Solovioff lays up the Vessel, and winters upon
Unalashka.
From the remaining timber of the old dwelling the
Russians built a new hut; and on the fourteenth they
laid up the vessel. Koronoff was then sent upon a reconnoitring
party to the Southern side of the island, which
in that part was not more than five or six versts broad:
he proceeded on with his companions, sometimes rowing
in canoes, sometimes travelling by land and dragging
them after. He returned the twentieth, and reported
that he had found upon the coast on the further side of
the island an empty habitation. That he rowed from
thence Eastward along the shore, and behind the first point
of land came to an island in the next bay; there he found
about forty islanders of both sexes lodged under their
baidars, who by his friendly behaviour had been induced
to give him three hostages. These people afterwards
settled in the above-mentioned empty hut, and came frequently
to the harbour.
On the 28th of October, Solovioff himself went also
upon a reconnoitring party along the North coast, towards
the North-East end of the island. He rowed from the
first promontory across a bay; and found on the opposite
point of land a dwelling place called Agulok, which lies
about four hours row from the harbour. He found there
thirteen men and about forty women and children, who
delivered up several gun-barrels and ship-stores, and likewise
informed him of two of Korovin's crew who had
been murdered.
November 5, they proceeded farther; and after five or
six hours rowing, they saw on a point of land another
dwelling called Ikutchlok, beyond which the interpreter
shewed them the haven, where Korovin's ship had been
at anchor. This was called Makushinshy Bay; and on
an island within it they found two Toigons, called Itchadak
and Kagumaga, with about an hundred and eighty
people of both sexes employed in hunting sea-bears.
These natives were not in the least hostile, and Solovioff
endeavoured to establish and confirm a friendly intercourse
between them and his people. He remained with them
until the 10th, when the Toigons invited him to their
winter quarters, which lay about five hours sail farther
East: there he found two dwelling caves, each of forty
yards square, near a rivulet abounding with fish which
fell from a lake into a little bay. In the neighbourhood
of this village is a hot spring below the sea mark, which
is only to be seen at ebb tide. From hence he departed
the 25th, but was forced back by storms, and detained
there until the 6th of December.
Kagumaga then accompanied him to another village
called Totchikala; both the Toigon and the interpreter
advised him to be on his guard against the natives, whom
they represented as very savage, sworn enemies to the
Russians, and the murderers of nine of Kulkoff's crew.
Solovioff for these reasons passed the night on the open
coast, and next morning sent the Toigon before to inspire
the natives with more friendly sentiments. Some of
them listened to his representations; but the greatest part
fled upon Solovioff's approach, so that he found the place
consisting of four large dwelling caves almost empty, in
which he secured himself with suitable precaution. Here
he found three hundred darts and ten bows with arrows,
all which he destroyed, only reserving one bow and seventeen
arrows as specimens of their arms. By the most
friendly arguments he urged the few natives who remained
to lay aside their enmity, and to persuade their
leaders and relations to return to their habitations and
live on terms of amity and friendship.
On the 10th about an hundred men and a still greater
number of women returned. |Renewal of Hostilities.| But the fairest speeches
had no effect on these savages, who kept aloof and prepared
for hostilities, which they began on the 17th by
an open attack. Nineteen of them were killed,
amongst
whom was Inlogusak one of their leaders, and the most
inveterate fomenter of hostilities against the Russians.
The other leader Aguladock being alive confessed,
that on receiving the first news of Solovioff's arrival
they had resolved to attack the crew and burn the
ship. Notwithstanding this confession, no injury was
offered to him: in consequence of this kind usage he was
prevailed upon to deliver up his son as an hostage, and
to order his people to live on friendly terms with the
Russians. During the month of January the natives delivered
in three anchors, and a quantity of tackle which
had been saved from a vessel formerly wrecked on that
coast; and at the same time they brought three boys
and two young girls as hostages and pledges of their
future fidelity.
January 25, Solovioff set out for the haven where
his ship lay: before his departure the Toigons of Makushinsk
paid of their own accord a double tribute.
February 1, Kagumaga of Makushink, Agidalok of
Totzikala, and Imaginak of Ugamitzi, Toigons of Unalashka,
with a great number of their relations, came to
Solovioff; they acquainted him with the arrival of a Russian
ship at Unimak, the sixth island to the East of
Agunalashka, adding that they knew none of the crew
excepting a Kamtchadal named Kirilko, who had been
there on a former occasion. They likewise informed
him that the natives, after having cut off part of the
crew who had been sent out in two baidars, had
found means to overpower the remainder and to destroy
the vessel. From the name of the Kamtchadal they concluded
that this must have been another vessel fitted out
by Nikiphor Trapesnikoff and company, of which no
farther intelligence was ever received. Willing to procure
farther intelligence, they endeavoured to persuade
the Toigons to send a party of their people to the above-mentioned
island; but the latter excused themselves, on
account of the great distance and their dread of the
islanders.
February 16, Solovioff set out a second time for the
West end of the island, where they had formerly taken
prisoner, and afterwards set at liberty, the Toigon of
Sedak. From thence he proceeded to Ikolga, which
lies on the bay, and consists of only one hut. On the
26th he came to Takamitka, where there is likewise
only one hut on a point of land by the side of a rivulet,
which falls from the mountains into the sea. Here he
met with Korovin, in whose company he cut the blubber
of a whale, which the waves had cast on shore; after
this Korovin went across the gulph to Umnak, and he
proceeded to Ikaltshinsk, where on the 9th one of his
party was carried off by sickness.
March 15 he returned to the haven, having met with
no opposition from the islanders during this excursion.
On his return he found one of the crew dead, and a
dreadful scurvy raging amongst the rest; of that distemper
five Russians died in March, eight and a Kamtchadal
in April, and six more in May. About this time the islanders
were observed to pay frequent visits to the hostages;
and upon enquiring privately into the reason, some of
the latter discovered, that the inhabitants of Makushinsk
had formed the design of cutting off the crew, and of
making themselves masters of the vessel. Solovioff had
now great reasons to be apprehensive, for the crew were
afflicted with the scurvy to such a violent degree, that out
of the whole number only twelve persons were capable
of defending themselves. These circumstances did not
escape the observation of the natives; and they were accordingly
inspired with fresh courage to renew their
hostilities.
On the 27th of May the Russians perceived the Toigon
of Itchadak, who had formerly paid a voluntary tribute,
near the shore: he was accompanied by several islanders
in three baidars. Solovioff calling to him by the interpreter
he came on shore, but kept at a distance desiring
a conference with some of his relations. Solovioff gave
orders to seize him; and they were lucky enough to take
him prisoner, together with two of his companions. He
immediately confessed, that he had come with a view of
enquiring of the hostages how many Russians were still
remaining: having procured the necessary intelligence,
his intention was to surprise the watch at a convenient
season, and afterwards to set fire to the ship. As they
saw several islanders row past the harbour at the same
time, and the Toigon likewise informed them, that they
were assembling to execute the abovementioned design;
Solovioff resolved to be much upon his guard. They
separated, however, without attempting any hostilities.
June 5, Glottoff arrived at the harbour on a visit, and
returned on the 8th to his ship. The captive Toigon
was now set at liberty, after being seriously exhorted to
desist from hostilities. In the course of this month two
more of the crew died; so that the arrival of Korovin,
who joined them about this time, with two of his own
and two of Kulkoff's crew, was of course a very agreeable
circumstance. The sick likewise began to recover
by degrees.
July 22, Solovioff, with a party of his people, in two
baidars, made another excursion Northwards; he passed
by the places formerly mentioned as far as Igonok,
which lies ten versts beyond Totzikala. Igonok consists
of one dwelling cave on the side of a rivulet, which falls
from the mountains, and empties itself into the sea. The
inhabitants amounted to about thirty men, who dwelt
there with their wives and children. From thence
Solovioff proceeded along the shore into a bay; five versts
further he found another rivulet, which has its source
among the hills and flows through a plain.
Upon the shore of the same bay, opposite to the
mouth of this rivulet, lay two villages, one of which
only was inhabited; it was called Ukunadok, and consisted
of six dwelling caves. About thirty-five of the
inhabitants were at that time employed in catching salmon
in the rivulet. Kulkoff's ship had lain at anchor
about two miles from thence; but there were no remains
of her to be found. After coming out of the bay
he went forwards to the summer village Umgaina distant
about seven or eight leagues, and situated on the side
of a rivulet, which takes its rise in a lake abounding with
salmon. Here he found the Toigon Amaganak, with
about ten of the natives, employed in fishing. Fifteen
versts farther along the shore they found another summer
village called Kalaktak, where there was likewise
another rivulet, which came from the hills. The inhabitants
were sixty men and an hundred and seventy
women and children: they gave Solovioff a very friendly
reception; and delivered up two hostages, who were
brought from the neighbouring island Akutan; with
these he set out on his return, and on the 6th of August
joined his crew.
On the 11th he went over to the island Umnak, accompanied
by Korovin, to bring off some ships stores
left there by the latter; and returned to the haven on
the 27th. On the 31st Shaffyrin died, the same person
whose adventures have been already related.
Sept. 19. Korenoff was sent northwards upon an
hunting party; he returned the 30th of January, 1766.
Although the Russians who remained at the haven met
with no molestation from the natives during his absence;
yet he and his companions were repeatedly attacked.
Having distributed to the inhabitants of the several villages
through which he passed nets for the purpose of
catching sea-otters, he went to the East part of the island
as far as Kalaktak, with an intention of hunting. Upon
his arrival at that place, on the 31st of October, the inhabitants
fled with precipitation; and as all his efforts to
conciliate their affections were ineffectual, he found it requisite
to be upon his guard. Nor was this precaution unnecessary;
for on the following day they returned in a
considerable body, armed with lances, made with the
iron of the plundered vessels. Korenoff, however, and
his companions, who were prepared to receive them,
killed twenty-six, and took several prisoners; upon
which the others became more tractable.
Nov. 19. Korenoff, upon his return to the haven, came
to Makushinsk, where he was kindly received by a Toigon
named Kulumaga; but with regard to Itchadak, it was plain
that his designs were still hostile. Instead of giving an
account of the nets which had been left with him, he
withdrew privately: and on the 19th of January, accompanied
by a numerous body of islanders, made an attempt
to surprise the Russians. Victory, however, again
declared for Korenoff; and fifteen of the assailants,
amongst whom was Itchadak himself, remained dead
upon the spot. Kulumaga assured them, in the strongest
manner, that the design had been carried on without his
knowledge; and protested, that he had often prevented
his friend from committing hostilities against the Russians.
Korenoff returned to the haven on the 30th of January;
and on the 4th of February he went upon another
hunting expedition toward the Western point of the island.
During this excursion he met with a party sent out by
Glottoff, at a place called Takamitka; he then rowed
over to Umnak, where he collected a small tribute, and
returned on the 3d of March. During his absence
Kyginik, Kulumaga's son, paid a visit to the Russians, and
requested that he might be baptized, and be permitted to
go aboard the vessel; his demand was immediately complied
with.
May 13th. Korovin went, with fourteen men, to
Umnak, to bring off an anchor, which was buried in the
sand. On his return preparations were made for their
departure. Before the arrival of Korovin the hunters
had killed 150 black and brown foxes; and the same
number of old and young sea-otters; since his arrival
they had caught 350 black foxes, the same number of
common foxes, and 150 sea-otters of different sizes.
This cargo being put on board, the interpreter Kashmak
set at liberty, with a certificate of, and presents for
his fidelity, and the hostages delivered up to the Toigons
and their relations, who had assembled at the haven,
Solovioff put to sea on the 1st of June, with an Easterly
wind. Before his departure he received a letter from
Glottoff, informing him that he was likewise preparing
for his return.
Journal of the Voyage homewards.
| June 2. | The wind being
contrary, they got but a small way from land. |
| 5. | Steered again towards the
shore, came to an anchor, and sent a boat for a supply of water, which
returned without having seen any body. |
| 6. | Weighed and steered W. with
a S. E. wind. |
| 7. | Favourable wind at N. E.
and in the afternoon at N. |
| 8. | Wind at N. W. and stormy,
the ship drove under the foresail. |
| 9 & 10. | Sailed Northwards,
with a Westerly wind. |
| 11. | Calm till noon;
afterwards breeze sprung up at S. with
which they steered W. till next day at noon; when the wind
coming round to the West, they changed their course, and
steered N. W. |
| 12. | Calm during the night. |
| 13. | A small breeze of
Northerly wind, with which they steered W. in the afternoon it fell
calm, and continued so till the |
| 16. | at noon, when a breeze
springing up at East, they steered W. on which course they continued
during the |
| 18. | with a S. S. E. wind. |
| From the 19 to the 22. The wind was
changeable from the S. W. to N. W. with which they still made a shift to
get to the Westward. |
| 23. | The wind E. they steered
betwixt N. & W. which course they continued the |
| 24th, 25th, 26th, with a Northerly wind. |
| 27. | A. M. the wind changed to S. W. |
| 28, 29, 30. Wind at West. |
| July 1. | The wind changed to E. with which they steered between W.
and S. W. with little variations, till the 3d. |
| 4. | They reached Kamchatkoi
Noss, and on the 5th. Brought the ship, in good condition, into
Kamtchatka river. |
Solovioff's Description of the
Fox Islands.
Solovioff's description of these islands and
the inhabitants being more circumstantial, than the accounts
given by former navigators, deserves to be inserted at
full length. According to his estimation, the island
Unalashka lies between 1500 and 2000 versts due East
from the mouth of the Kamtchatka river: the other
islands to the Eastward stretch towards N. E. He reckons
the length of Akutan at eighty versts; Umnak at
an hundred and fifty, and Unalashka at two hundred. No
large trees were seen upon any of the islands which he
touched at. They produce underwood, small shrubs, and
plants, for the most part similar to the common species
found in Kamtchatka. The winter is much milder than
in the Eastern parts of Siberia, and continues only from
November to the end of March. The snow seldom lies
upon the ground for any time.
Rein-deer, bears, wolves, ice-foxes, are not to be
found on these islands; but they abound in black, grey,
brown, and red foxes; for which reason they have got
the name of Lyffie Ostrova, or Fox Islands. These foxes
are stronger than those of Yakutsk, and their hair is
much coarser. During the day they lie in caves and
clifts of rocks; towards evening they come to the shore
in search of food; they have long ago extirpated the
brood of mice, and other small animals. They are not
in the smallest degree afraid of the inhabitants, but distinguish
the Russians by the scent; having experienced
the effects of their fire-arms. The number of sea-animals,
such as sea-lions, sea-bears, and sea-otters, which
resort to these shores, are very considerable. Upon some
of the islands warm springs and native sulphur are to be
found.
Manners and Customs of the
Inhabitants.
The Fox-islands are in general very populous;
Unalashka, which is the largest island, is supposed to contain
several thousand inhabitants. These savages live together
in separate communities, composed of fifty, and sometimes
of two or even three hundred persons; they dwell
in large caves from forty to eighty yards long, from six
to eight broad, and from four to five high. The roof of
these caves is a kind of wooden grate, which is first spread
over with a layer of grass, and then covered with earth.
Several openings are made in the iop, through which
the inhabitants go up and down by ladders: the smallest
dwellings have two or three entrances of this sort, and
the largest five or six. Each cave is divided into a certain
number of partitions, which are appropriated to the several
families; and these partitions are marked by means
of stakes driven into the earth. The men and women sit
on the ground; and the children lie down, having their
legs bound together under them, in order to make them
learn to sit upon their hams.
Although no fire is ever made in these caves, they
are generally so warm, that both sexes sit naked.
These people obey the calls of nature openly, and without
esteeming it indecent. They wash themselves first
with their own urine, and afterwards with water. In
winter they go always bare-footed; and when they
want to warm themselves, especially before they go to
sleep, they set fire to dry grass and walk over it. Their
habitations being almost dark, they use particularly in
winter a sort of large lamps, made by hollowing out a
stone, into which they put a rush-wick and burn train
oil. A stone so hollowed is called Tsaaduck. The natives[62]
are whites with black hair; they have flat faces,
and are of a good stature. The men shave with a sharp
stone or knife, the circumference and top of the head,
and let the hair which remains hang from the crown[63].
The women cut their hair in a streight line over the forehead;
behind they let it grow to a considerable length,
and tie it in a bunch. Some of the men wear their beards;
others shave or pull them out by the roots.
They mark various figures on their faces, the backs
of their hands, and lower parts of their arms, by pricking
them first with a needle, and then rubbing the parts
with a sort of black clay. They make three incisions in
the under-lip; they place in the middle one a flat bone,
or a small coloured stone; and in each of the side-ones
they fix a long pointed piece of bone, which
bends and reaches almost to the ears. They likewise
make a hole through the gristle of the nose, into which
they put a small piece of bone in such a manner as
to keep the nostrils extended. They also pierce holes
in their ears, and wear in them what little ornaments
they can procure.
Their dress consists of a cap and a fur-coat, which
reaches down to the knee. Some of them wear common
caps of a party coloured bird-skin, upon which
they leave part of the wings and tail. On the fore-part
of their hunting and fishing caps they place a small
board like a screen, adorned with the jaw-bones of sea-bears,
and ornamented with glass beads, which they receive
in barter from the Russians. At their festivals and
dancing parties they use a much more showy sort of caps.
Their fur-coats are made like shirts, being close behind
and before, and are put on over the head. The
mens dress is made of birds skins, but the womens of
sea-otters and sea-bears. These skins are died with a
sort of red earth, and neatly sewed with sinews, and
ornamented with various stripes of sea-otter skins and
leathern fringes. They have also upper garments made
of the intestines of the largest sea-calves and sea-lions.
Their vessels consist of two sorts: the larger are leathern
boats or baidars, which have oars on both sides,
and are capable of holding thirty or forty people. The
smaller vessels are rowed with a double paddle, and resemble
the canoes of the Greenlanders, containing only
one or two persons: they never weigh above thirty
pounds, being nothing but a thin skeleton of a boat
covered with leather. In these however they pass from
one island to another, and even venture out to sea to a
considerable distance. In calm weather they go out in
them to catch turbot and cod with bone-hooks and lines
made of sinews or sea-weed. They strike fish in the
rivulets with darts. Whales and other sea-animals
thrown ashore by the waves are carefully looked after,
and no part of them is lost. The quantity of provisions
which they procure by hunting and fishing
being far too small for their wants, the greatest part of
their food consists of sea-wrack and shell-fish, which
they find on the shore.
No stranger is allowed to hunt or fish near a village,
or to carry off any thing fit for food. When they are
on a journey, and their provisions are exhausted, they
beg from village to village, or call upon their friends
and relations for assistance.
They feed upon the flesh of all sorts of sea-animals,
and generally eat it raw. But if at any time they
choose to dress their victuals, they make use of an hollow
stone; having placed the fish or flesh therein, they
cover it with another, and close the interstices with
lime or clay. They then lay it horizontally upon two
stones, and light a fire under it. The provision which
is intended for keeping is dried without salt in the
open air. They gather berries of various sorts, and
lily roots of the same species with those which grow
wild at Kamtchatka. They are unacquainted with the
manner of dressing the cow-parsnip, as practised in that
Peninsula; and do not understand the art of distilling
brandy or any other strong liquor from it. They are
at present very fond of snuff, which the Russians have
introduced among them.
No traces were found of any worship, neither did
they seem to have any sorcerers[64] among them. If a
whale happens to be cast on shore, the inhabitants assemble
with great marks of joy, and perform a number
of extraordinary ceremonies. They dance and beat
drums[65] of different sizes: they then cut up the fish,
of which the greatest and best part is consumed on
the spot. On such occasions they wear showy caps;
and some of them dance naked in wooden masks, which
reach down to their shoulders, and represent various sorts
of sea-animals. Their dances consist of short steps forwards,
accompanied with many strange gestures.
Marriage ceremonies are unknown among them,
and each man takes as many wives as he can maintain;
but the number seldom exceeds four. These women
are occasionally allowed to cohabit with other men;
they and their children are also not unfrequently bartered
in exchange for commodities. When an islander
dies, the body is bound with thongs, and afterwards exposed
to the air in a sort of wooden cradle hung upon
a cross-bar, supported by forks. Upon these occasions
they cry and make bitter lamentations.
Their Toigons or Princes are those who have numerous
families, and are skilful and successful in hunting
and fishing.
Their weapons consist of bows, arrows, and darts:
they throw the latter very dexterously, and to a great
distance from a hand-board. For defence they use
wooden shields, called kuyakin. These islanders are,
notwithstanding their savageness, very docile; and the
boys, whom the Russians keep as hostages, soon acquire
a knowledge of their language.
Voyage of Otcheredin in the St. Paul,
1765.
In the year 1765 three merchants, namely, Orechoff
of Yula, Lapin of Solikamsk, and Shiloff of Ustyug,
fitted out a new vessel called the St. Paul, under
the command of Aphanassei Otcheredin. She was built
in the harbour of Ochotsk: his crew consisted of sixty-two
Russians and Kamtchadals, and she carried on board
two inhabitants of the Fox Islands named John and Timothy
Surgeff, who had been brought to Kamtchatka
and baptised.
September 10, they sailed from Ochotsk, and arrived
the 22d in the bay of Bolcheresk where they wintered.
August 1, 1776, they continued their voyage, and
having passed the second of the Kuril Isles, steered on the
6th into the open sea; on the 24th they reached the
nearest of the Fox Islands, which the interpreters
called[66]
Atchak. A storm arising they cast anchor in a bay,
but saw no inhabitants upon the shore. |Arrival at
Umnak.| On the
26th
they sailed again, discovered on the 27th Sagaugamak,
along which they steered North East, and on the 31st
came within seven miles of the island Umnak; where,
on account of the lateness of the season and the want of
provision and water, they determined to winter. Accordingly
on the 1st of September, by the advice of the
interpreters, they brought the vessel into a convenient
bay near a point of land lying N. W. where they fastened
it to the shore with cables.
Upon their landing they discovered several pieces of a
wreck; and two islanders, who dwelled on the banks of
a rivulet which empties itself into the bay, informed
them, that these were the remains of a Russian vessel,
whose commander's name was Denys. From this intelligence
they concluded that this was Protassoff's vessel,
fitted out at Ochotsk. The inhabitants of Umnak, Unalashka,
and of the Five Mountains, had assembled and
murdered the crew, when separated into different hunting
parties. The same islanders also mentioned the fate
of Kulkoff's and Trapesnikoff's ships upon the island
Unalashka. Although this information occasioned general
apprehensions, yet they had no other resource than
to draw the vessel ashore, and to take every possible precaution
against a surprize. Accordingly they kept a constant
watch, made presents to the Toigons and the principal
inhabitants, and demanded some children as hostages.
For some time the islanders behaved very peaceably, until
the Russians endeavoured to persuade them to become
tributary: upon which they gave such repeated signs of
their hostile intentions, that the crew lived under continual
alarms. In the beginning of September information
was brought them of the arrival of a vessel, fitted
out by Ivan Popoff merchant of Lalsk, at Unalashka.
About the end of the said month the Toigon of the
Five Mountains came to Otcheredin, and was so well satisfied
with his reception, that he brought hostages, and
not only assured them of his own friendship, but promised
to use his influence with the other Toigons, and
to persuade them to the same peaceable behaviour. But
the other Toigons not only paid no regard to his persuasions,
but even barbarously killed one of his children.
From these and other circumstances the crew passed the
winter under continual apprehensions, and durst not venture
far from the harbour upon hunting parties. Hence
ensued a scarcity of provisions; and hunger, joined to
the violent attacks of the scurvy, made great havock
amongst them, insomuch that six of them died, and several
of the survivors were reduced to so weak a condition,
that they were scarce able to move.
The health of the crew being re-established in the
spring, twenty-three men were sent on the 25th of
June in two boats to the Five Mountains, in order to
persuade the inhabitants to pay tribute. On the 26th
they landed on the island Ulaga, where they were
attacked with great spirit by a large body of the inhabitants;
and though three of the Russians were wounded,
yet the savages were repulsed with considerable loss: they
were so terrified by their defeat, that they fled before the
Russians during their continuance on that island. The
latter were detained there by tempestuous weather until
the 9th of July; during which time they found two
rusty firelocks belonging to Protassoff's crew. On the
10th they returned to the harbour; and it was immediately
resolved to dispatch some companies upon hunting
expeditions.
Accordingly on the 1st of August Matthew Poloskoff,
a native of Ilinsk, was sent with twenty-eight men in
two boats to Unalashka with the following orders;
that if the weather and other circumstances were favourable,
they were to make to Akutan and Akun, the
two nearest islands to the East, but to proceed no further.
In consequence of this, Poloskoff reached Akutan about
the end of the month; and being kindly received by
the inhabitants, he left six of his party to hunt; with
the remainder he went to Akun, which lies about two
versts from Akutan. From thence he dispatched five
men to the neighbouring islands, where he was informed
by the interpreters there were great quantities of foxes.
Poloskoff and his companions continued the whole
autumn upon Akun without being annoyed; but on the
12th of December the inhabitants of the different islands
assembled in great numbers, and attacked them by land
and sea. They informed Poloskoff, by means of the
interpreters, that the Russians whom he had sent to
the neighbouring islands were killed; that the two
vessels at Umnak and Unalashka were plundered, and
the crew put to death; and that they were now come
to make him and his party share the same fate. The
Russian fire-arms however kept them in due respect;
and towards evening they dispersed. The same night
the interpreter deserted, probably at the instigation of
his countrymen, who nevertheless killed him, as it was
said, that winter.
January 16, the savages ventured to make a second
attack. Having surprised the guard by night, they tore
off the roof of the Russian dwelling, and shot down
into the hut, making at the same time great outcries:
by this unexpected assault four Russians were killed,
and three wounded; but the survivors no sooner had
recourse to their fire-arms, than the enemy was driven
to flight. Meanwhile another body of the natives attempted
to seize the two vessels, but without success;
they however cut off the party of six men left by Poloskoff
at Akutan, together with the five hunters dispatched
to the contiguous islands, and two of Popoff's
crew who were at the Westermost part of Unalashka.
Poloskoff continued upon Akun in great danger until
the 20th of February; when, the wounded being recovered,
he sailed over with a fair wind to Popoff's vessel
at Unalashka; and on the 10th of May returned to
Otcheredin.
In April Popoff's vessel being got ready for the voyage,
all the hostages, whose number amounted to forty,
were delivered to Otcheredin. July the 30th a vessel
belonging to the same Popoff arrived from Beering's
Island, and cast anchor in the same bay where Otcheredin's
lay; and both crews entered into an agreement
to share in common the profits of hunting. Strengthened
by this alliance, Otcheredin prevailed upon a number
of the inhabitants to pay tribute. August the 22d
Otcheredin's mate was sent with six boats and fifty-eight
men to hunt upon Unalashka and Akutan; and
there remained thirty men with the vessels in the harbour,
who kept constant watch.
Otcheredin receives an Account of Levasheff's
Arrival at Unalashka.
Soon afterwards Otcheredin and the other
commander received a letter from Levasheff Captain Lieutenant of
the Imperial fleet, who accompanied Captain Krenitzin
in the secret expedition to those islands. The letter
was dated September 11, 1768: it informed them he
was arrived at Unalashka in the St. Paul, and lay at
anchor in the same bay in which Kulkoff's vessel had
been lost. He likewise required a circumstantial account
of their voyages. By another order of the 24th
he sent for four of the principal hostages, and demanded
the tribute of skins which had been exacted from the
islanders. But as the weather was generally tempestuous
at this season of the year, they deferred sending them
till the spring. May the 31st Levasheff set sail for
Kamtchatka; and in 1771 returned safely from his expedition
at St. Petersburg.
The two vessels remained at Umnak until the year
1770, during which time the crews met with no opposition
from the islanders. They continued their hunting
parties, in which they had such good fortune, that
the share of Otcheredin's vessel (whose voyage is here
chiefly related) consisted in 530 large sea-otter skins,
40 young ones and 30 cubs, the skins of 656 fine black
foxes, 100 of an inferior sort, and about 1250 red fox
skins.
With this large cargo of furs Otcheredin set sail on the
22d of May, 1770, from Umnak, leaving Popoff's crew
behind. A short time before their departure, the other
interpreter Ivan Surgeff, at the instigation of his relations,
deserted.
Return of Otcheredin to
Ochotsk.
After having touched at the nearest of the
Aleütian Islands, Otcheredin and his crew arrived on the 24th
of
July at Ochotsk. They brought two islanders with
them, whom they baptized. The one was named
Alexèy Solovieff; the other Boris Otcheredin. These
islanders unfortunately died on their way to Petersburg;
the first between Yakutsk and Irkutsk; and the latter
at Irkutsk, where he arrived on the 1st of February,
1771.
Position of Beering's and Copper
Islands.
According to the latest informations brought
by Otcheredin's and Popoff's vessels, the North
West point of Commandorskoi Ostroff, or Beering's
Island, lies due East from the mouth of the Kamtchatka
river, at the distance of 250 versts. It is from 70 to
80 versts long, and stretches from North West to South
East, in the same direction as Copper Island. The latter
is situated about 60 or 70 versts from the South East
point of Beering's Island, and is about 50 versts in length.
Of the Aleütian Isles.
About
300 versts East by South of Copper Island lie
the Aleütian Isles, of which Attak is the nearest: it is
rather larger than Beering's Island, of the same
shape, and stretches from West to South East. From
thence about 20 versts Eastwards is situated Semitshi,
extending from West to East, and near its Eastern point
another small island. To the South of the strait, which
separates the two latter islands, and at the distance
of
40 versts from both of them, lies Shemiya in a similar
position, and not above 25 versts in length. All these
islands stretch between 54 and 55 degrees of North
latitude.
Of the Fox Islands.
The Fox Islands
are situated E. N. E. from the Aleütians:
the nearest of these, Atchak, is about 800 versts
distant; it lies in about 56 degrees North latitude, and extends
from W. S. W. towards E. N. E. It greatly resembles
Copper Island, and is provided with a commodious
harbour on the Notrh. From thence all the other islands of this
chain stretch in a direction towards N. E. by East.
The next to Atchak is Amlak, about 15 versts distant;
it is nearly of the same size; and has an harbour
on its South side. Next follows Sagaugamak, at about
the same distance, but somewhat smaller; from that it
is 50 versts to Amuchta, a small rocky island; and the
same distance from the latter to Yunaksan, another small
island. About 20 versts from Yunaksan there is a cluster
of five small islands, or rather mountains, Kigalgist,
Kagamila, Tsigulak, Ulaga, and Tana-Unok, and which
are therefore called by the Russians Pät Sopki, or the
Five Mountains. Of these Tana-Unok lies most to the
N. E. towards which the Western point of Umnak advances
within the distance of 20 versts.
Umnak stretches from S. W. to N. E.; it is 150 versts
in length, and has a very considerable bay on the West
end of the Northern coast, in which there is a small
island or rock, called Adugak; and on the South side is
Shemalga, another rock. The Western point of Aghunalashka,
or Unalashka, is separated from the East end of
Umnak by a strait near 20 versts in breadth. The position
of these two islands is similar; but Aghunalashka
is much the largest, and is above 200 versts long. It is
divided towards the N. E. into three promontories, one
of which runs out in a Westerly direction, forming one
side of a large bay on the North coast of the island:
the second stretches out N. E. ends in three points, and
is connected with the island by a small neck of land.
The third or most Southerly one is separated from the
last mentioned promontory by a deep bay. Near Unalashka
towards the East lies another small island called
Skirkin.
About 20 versts from the North East promontory of
Aghunalashka lie four islands: the first, Akutan, is
about half as big as Umnak; a verst further is the small
island Akun; a little beyond is Akunok; and lastly Kigalga,
which is the smallest of these four, and stretches
with Akun and Akunok almost from N. to S. Kigalga
is situated about the 61st degree of latitude. About
100 versts from thence lies an island called Unimak[67],
upon which Captain Krenitzin wintered; and beyond it
the inhabitants said there was a large tract of country
called Alashka, of which they did not know the boundaries.
The Fox Islands are in general very rocky, without
containing any remarkable high mountains: they are
destitute of wood, but abound in rivulets and lakes,
which are mostly without fish. The winter is much
milder than in Siberia; the snow seldom falls before
the beginning of January, and continues on the ground
till the end of March.
There is a volcano in Amuchta; in Kagamila sulphur
flows from a mountain; in Taga-Unok there are warm
springs hot enough to boil provisions; and flames of
sulphur are occasionally seen at night upon the mountains
of Unalashka and Akutan.
Account of the Inhabitants of the Fox
Islands.
The Fox Islands are tolerably populous in proportion
to their size. The inhabitants are entirely free, and pay
tribute to no one: they are of a middle stature; and
live, both in summer and winter, in holes dug in the
earth. No signs of religion were found amongst
them. Several persons indeed pass for sorcerers, pretending
to know things past and to come, and are accordingly
held in high esteem, but without receiving any emolument.
Filial duty and respect towards the aged are
not held in estimation by these islanders. They are
not however deficient in fidelity to each other; they
are of lively and chearful tempers, though rather impetuous,
and naturally prone to anger. In general they
do not observe any rules of decency, but follow all the
calls of nature publicly, and without the least reserve.
They wash themselves with their own urine.
Their Food.
Their principal food
consists in fish and other sea-animals, small shell-fish and
sea-plants: their greatest delicacies are wild lilies and other
roots, together with different kinds of berries. When they have
laid in a store of provisions, they eat at any time of the
day without distinction; but in case of necessity they
are capable of fasting several days together. They seldom
heat their dwellings; but when they are desirous
of warming themselves, they light a bundle of hay, and
stand over it; or else they set fire to train oil, which
they pour into a hollow stone.
They feed their children when very young with the
coarsest flesh, and for the most part raw. If an infant
cries, the mother immediately carries it to the sea-side,
and be it summer or winter holds it naked in the
water
until it is quiet. This custom is so far from doing
the children any harm, that it hardens them against
the cold; and they accordingly go bare-footed through
the winter without the least inconvenience. They are
also trained to bathe frequently in the sea; and it is
an opinion generallly received among the islanders, that
by that means they are rendered bold, and become fortunate
in fishing.
Dress.
The men wear shirts made of
the skins of cormorants, sea-divers, and gulls; and, in order to
keep out the rain, they have upper garments of the bladders and
other intestines of sea-lions, sea-calves, and whales,
blown up and dried. They cut their hair in a circular
form close to their ears; and shave also a round place
upon the top. The women, on the contrary, let the
hair descend over the forehead as low as the eye-brows,
and tie the remaining part in a knot upon the top of
the head. They pierce the ears, and hang therein
bits of coral which they get from the Russians. Both
sexes make holes in the gristle of the nose, and in
the under-lips, in which they thrust pieces of bone,
and are very fond of such kind of ornaments. They
mark also and colour their faces with different figures.
They barter among one another sea-otters, sea-bears,
clothes made of bird-skins and of dried intestines, skins
of sea-lions and sea-calves for the coverings of
baidars,
wooden masks, darts, thread made of sinews and reindeer
hair, which they get from the country of Alaska.
Their houshold utensils are square pitchers and large
troughs, which they make out of the wood driven ashore
by the sea. |Arms.| Their weapons are bows
and arrows pointed with flints, and javelins of two yards in length,
which they throw from a small board. Instead of hatchets they
use crooked knives of flint or bone. Some iron knives,
hatchets, and lances, were observed amongst them, which
they had probably got by plundering the Russians.
According to the reports of the oldest inhabitants of
Umnak and Unalashka, they have never been engaged
in any war either amongst themselves or with their
neighbours, except once with the people of Alashka, the
occasion of which was as follows: The Toigon of Umnak's
son had a maimed hand; and some inhabitants of
Alashka, who came upon a visit to that island, fastened
to his arm a drum, out of mockery, and invited him to
dance. The parents and relations of the boy were offended
at this insult: hence a quarrel ensued; and from
that time the two people have lived in continual enmity,
attacking and plundering each other by turns. According
to the reports of the islanders, there are mountains
upon Alashka, and woods of great extent at some distance
from the coast. The natives wear clothes made
of
the skins of reindeer, wolves, and foxes, and are not
tributary to any of their neighbours. The inhabitants
of the Fox-islands seem to have no knowledge of any
country beyond Alashka.
Feasts.
Feasts are very common
among these islanders; and more particularly when the inhabitants
of one island are visited by those of the others. The men of
the village meet their guests beating drums, and preceded by the
women, who sing and dance. At the conclusion of the
dance the hosts invite them to partake of the feasts; after
which ceremony the former return first to their dwellings,
place mats in order, and serve up their best provision.
The guests next enter, take their places, and
after they are satisfied the diversions begin.
First, the children dance and caper, at the same time
making a noise with their small drums, while the owners
of the hut of both sexes sing. Next, the men dance
almost naked, tripping after one another, and beating
drums of a larger size: when these are weary, they are
relieved by the women, who dance in their clothes, the
men continuing in the mean time to sing and beat their
drums. At last the fire is put out, which had been kindled
for the ceremony. The manner of obtaining fire is
by rubbing two pieces of dry wood, or most commonly by
striking two flints together, and letting the sparks fall
upon some sea-otter's hair mixed with sulphur. If any
sorcerer is present, it is then his turn to play his tricks in
the dark; if not, the guests immediately retire to their
huts, which are made on that occasion of their canoes
and mats. The natives, who have several wives, do not
withhold them from their guests; but where the owner
of the hut has himself but one wife, he then makes the
offer of a female servant.
Their hunting season is principally from the end of
October to the beginning of December, during which
time they kill large quantities of young sea-bears for their
clothing. They pass all December in feastings and diversions
similar to that above mentioned: with this difference,
however, that the men dance in wooden masks,
representing various sea-animals, and painted red, green,
or black, with coarse coloured earths found upon these
islands.
During these festivals they visit each other from village
to village, and from island to island. The feasts
concluded, masks and drums are broken to pieces, or deposited
in caverns among the rocks, and never afterwards
made use of. In spring they go out to kill old sea-bears,
sea-lions, and whales. During summer, and even
in winter when it is calm, they row out to sea, and catch
cod and other fish. Their hooks are of bone; and for
lines they make use of a string made of a long tenacious
sea-weed, which is sometimes found in those seas near one
hundred and sixty yards in length.
Whenever they are wounded in any encounter, or
bruised by any accident, they apply a sort of yellow root
to the wound, and fast for some time. When their
head achs, they open a vein in that part with a stone
lancet. When they want to glue the points of their arrows
to the shaft, they strike their nose till it bleeds, and
use the blood as glue.
Murder is not punished amongst them, for they have
no judge. With respect to their ceremonies of burying
the dead, they are as follow: The bodies of poor people
are wrapped up in their own clothes, or in mats; then
laid in a grave, and covered over with earth. The bodies
of the rich are put, together with their clothes and arms,
in a small boat made of the wood driven ashore by the
sea: this boat is hung upon poles placed cross-ways; and
the body is thus left to rot in the open air.
The customs and manners of the inhabitants of the
Aleütian Isles are nearly similar to those of the inhabitants
of the Fox Islands. The former indeed are
rendered tributary, and entirely subject to Russia; and most
of them have a slight acquaintance with the Russian
language, which they have learned from the crews of the
different vessels who have landed there.
General Map of the Russian Empire.
