ON BERING ISLAND 233 



March 10, 1742 

 Lieutenant Waxel, Fleet Master Khitrov, all the lower officers, and the 

 crew had another meeting to discuss Yushin's report. Since it told them 

 nothing definite about the land, it was decided to send another party 

 under the boatswain's mate Alexei Ivanov. 



March 15, 1742 

 Ivanov with four men was sent along the shore to explore the land. 



March iq, 1742 

 Ivanov came back and reported that bluffs blocked his way to the 

 westward. 



March 22, 1742 

 Ivanov was sent out again with instructions to exert himself to the 

 utmost to proceed farther and secure some reliable information. 



April 7, 1742 

 Ivanov and his party returned and reported that we were on an island 

 because he had doubled the northern cape on the other side, which is 

 about 150 versts from our camp. 



April 9, 1742 

 Decision Made on Determination That Land Is an Island 



Lieutenant Waxel, Fleet Master Sofron Khitrov, Doctor Georg Steller, all the 

 lower officers and crew of the St. Peter met to discuss the report of Ivanov. He said 

 that the land on which we live is an island because he had doubled the last northern 

 cape on the western side and it was therefore evident that we were on an island. 

 In order to reach Kamchatka it was decided to break up the St. Peter because it 

 was not fit for further sea service, because it cannot be floated, and because of other 

 reasons already mentioned, and make out of it some kind of small vessel. 



It was agreed that during the period of the vessel's construction a number of our 

 men under the leadership of Yushin should be detailed to hunt and to supply the 

 camp with meat. Whatever they got should be divided equally among all accord- 

 ing to the size of e"ach group. From the stores of flour left after the April distribu- 

 tion, 10 sacks should be set aside for the Kamchatka voyage. Until the voyage, 

 the allowance should be reduced below that which had been allowed. 

 Lieutenant Sven Waxel 

 Fleet Master Safron Khitrov and all the men 



May 2, 1742 

 Lieutenant Waxel, Fleet Master Khitrov, the lower officers, and some 

 members of the crew looked about for a suitable place for building and 

 launching a boat. Such a spot was found on the beach directly in front 

 of the ship. 



