FATE OF THE OFFICERS 329 



sailed on the St. Paul to the eastward in the hope of finding Bering 

 and locating the American coast opposite East Cape. He failed 

 in both of his objects largely because of the poor health of his 

 men, the poor equipment, and the unseaworthiness of his ves- 

 sel. He did, however, reach the islands of Attu and Atka, the 

 first being a new discovery, the second probably a resighting 

 of an island seen by Bering on September 25, 1741. During 

 the summer of 1742 he sailed for Okhotsk, where he left the St. 

 Paul, and from there he proceeded inland. He remained in 

 Siberia as the head of the expedition until 1745, when he was 

 asked to come to the capital and was promoted to the rank of 

 captain commander; but he died in 1748 as a result of a disease 

 contracted on the voyage. Waxel left Kamchatka in 1743 for 

 Okhotsk, and from there he went to Yakutsk and Yeniseisk, 

 where he found Chirikov. When the latter was called to St. 

 Petersburg, Waxel assumed command until he was summoned 

 home. There he was made captain of the first rank, and when he 

 died his widow was granted a pension of 2,000 rubles. 



Khitrov was made rear-admiral in 1753. Ovtsin in 1757 was 

 in command of the Poltava, holding at the time the rank of 

 oberster Kriegskommisar. 



All others who took part in these expeditions were advanced 

 one grade in rank, dating from July 15, 1744, and their wages 

 were paid accordingly. The Senate requested the Admiralty 

 College to reward them as it should seem best. 



When Bering's death became known at Kamchatka his private 

 property was sold at auction and the proceeds, about 1,000 rubles, 

 were sent to his family. Whatever wages were due him at the 

 time of his death were also paid over to his wife and children. 

 In addition the Senate voted him a reward of 5,000 rubles. 



