fp P R E T- 1 M IN A R Y OBSERVATIONS 



with 3 large ft'ore of the flefli of fea animals, which 

 are caught and cured upon Beering's IlTand, where the 

 veffels for the moft part winter. 



After all expences are paid, the equipment of each 

 veffel ordinarily cofts from 15,000 to 20,000 Roubles. 

 And fometimes the expences amount to 30,000. Every 

 veflel is divided into a certain number of Ihares, gene- 

 rally from thirty to fifty ; and each fliare is worth, 

 from 300 to 500 Roubles. 



The rifk of the trade is very great, as fhipwrecks are: 

 common in the fea of Kamtchatka, which is full of rocks 

 and very tempeftuous. Belides, the crews are frequently 

 fiirprifed and killed by the iflanders, and the veflels 

 Prefits, deftroyed. In return the profits arifing from thefe 

 voyages are very confiderable, and compenfate the in- 

 conveniencies and dangers attending them. For if a> 

 fliip comes back after having made a profitable voyage, . 

 the gain at the mofl moderate computation amounts 

 to cent, per cent, and frequently to as much more.. 

 Should the vefTel be capable of performing a fecond 

 expedition, the expences- are of courfe confiderably- 

 lefTened, and; the flaares are at a lower price, 



Sonrve notion of the general profits arifing from; 

 this trade (when the voyage is fuccefsful), may be 

 deduced fi:om the fale of a rich cargo of furs, brought 



to 



