TO KAMTSCHATKA. 181 



the thick fog that surrounded us. The water re- 

 sumed its natural colour during the night, and I 

 hoped to be able to make a closer examination of 

 these parts in the following year. 



On the 13th, when we had reached latitude 47', 

 we were overtaken by a violent storm from the 

 N.AV., which continued for twelve hours, with such 

 a degree of cold, that lumps of ice fell from the 

 sails on the deck ; w^e perceived this sudden change 

 of the temperature the more, as we had for several 

 months had 21° heat, both day and night. We had 

 been enveloped in an incessant fog ever since we 

 left parallel 33\ 



On the 18th, we ought, according to our calcu- 

 lation, to be in the neighbourhood of Kamtschatka, 

 and when the fog dispersed at 4 P.M., we observed 

 the coast in its winter-dress. We were now at some 

 distance from the coast of Poworotuoi ; and as 

 the weather was entirely clearing up, I was in 

 hopes of reaching the harbour of St. Peter and 

 St. Paul the following day. 



On the 19th, at day-break, we took our course, 

 with a favourable w ind, to Avatscha Bay ; the day 

 was serene, and the high coast of Kamtschatka af- 

 forded us a magnificent prospect; its conical moun- 

 tains rising into the clouds, the sun shining on their 

 snow-covered summits, lay in friendly majesty be- 

 fore us. Towards noon, as we approachetl Avats- 

 cha Bay, we observed, on the high rocks which 

 form the northern part of it, a telegraph in full 

 work ; a sight which surprised us, as such useful 



N 3 



