VOYAGE OF THE "ST. PETER" 331 



sighted and no bottom being found at 100 fathoms, Bering, on 

 the 13th, gave the order to change the course to E by N. The 

 wind was now unfavorable, but the vessels continued in company 

 until the 20th, when stormy weather overtook them and they 

 became separated during the night. Although up to this time 

 the vessels had exchanged signals almost daily and had frequently 

 spoken to each other and compared positions, nevertheless the 

 noon positions recorded in the log books of the two vessels do not 

 always agree even on those days when they both obtained obser- 

 vations of the sun. On June 10 both vessels took observations 

 within sight of each other, but the St. Peter's log records the 

 latitude as 47 29', while the St. Paul's log gives the latitude as 

 47 45'. In plotting the noon position of the vessels while in 

 company we have therefore averaged the positions recorded in 

 the two log books. 



On June 20 the wind was strong from the eastward with a 

 heavy sea running, and both vessels were under short sail. The 

 St. Peter's log for that day records that at 10 p.m. the St. Paul bore 

 NW distant 2 miles, and that at 1 a.m. the latter was no longer 

 within sight, in consequence of which the St. Peter hove to. The 

 log of the St. Paul for June 20 records that at 3 a.m. the St. Peter 

 was 10 miles distant, and at 5 a.m. she began to disappear from 

 sight, whereupon the St. Paul hove to, and both vessels, being 

 hove to on the port tack, drifted to the southward and west- 

 ward. The following day the weather moderated, and in 

 accordance with Bering's previous instructions each vessel began 

 to search for the other in the direction in which the other was last 

 seen. Bering believed the St. Paul to be northwest of him and 

 began his search in that direction. Chirikov, however, reckoned 

 the St. Peter to be north-northeast of him and endeavored to 

 search in that direction, but as the wind was from that same 

 quarter the St. Paul made little progress. 



The Separate Voyage of the "St. Peter" 



Bering searched for the St. Paul until the 22nd and then 

 resumed the voyage; but, after taking council with his officers, he 



