138 LOG BOOK OF THE "ST. PETER" 



August 27, 1741 

 Decision To Land In Order To Take On Water '♦ 

 Captain Commander Bering, Lieutenant Waxel, Fleet Master Khitrov, and 

 Navigator Eselberg met to talk over the decision, which we with our petty officers 

 came to on August 10, relative to our returning to Avacha harbor. Our decision 

 at the time to start back, though it was yet early, was based on the fear that west 

 winds would begin to blow and hinder us. Since then this has happened, and now 

 we have of the water taken in America only 25 barrels, which is not enough for 

 returning to Avacha if the contrary west winds continue to blow. 



The American coast which we last saw was between latitude 55 and 56 N, and 

 according to our reckoning it is not more than 60 German miles from us. There- 

 fore we, the undersigned, have unanimously agreed for safety's sake to go nearer 

 the land with a view to finding good anchorage where we might take on water 

 enough to last until our return so that in case of head winds we should not suffer 

 extremely. 



Bering 



Lieutenant Waxel 

 Fleet Master Sofron Khitrov 

 Navigator Andreyan Eselberg 

 and petty officers. 

 '* Khitrov's journal. 



