THE VARIOUS EXPEDITIONS. 161 



possibly suffice for the 1200 miles which, according to 

 their calculations, yet remained. Hence it was necessary 

 once more to find land to take in water, and on the 

 27th the St. Peter's prow was again headed for Aliaska. 

 They sailed north one degree and a half, and after a 

 lapse of three days they reached a multitude of high 

 islands, behind which the coast of the mainland arose 

 in the distance. 



August 30, the St. Peter lay at anchor off the Shu- 

 magins, a group of thirteen treeless, barren, and rocky 

 islands near the coast of Aliaska. The journal gives their 

 situation as latitude 54° 48' N. and longitude 35° 30' E. 

 from Avacha. While the latitude as here determined 

 has the usual error, referred to several times before, 

 the longitude has an error of 6^°. Among these islands 

 the first death on board occurred. It was the sailor 

 Shumagin, who, on the 30th, died in the hands of his 

 mates as they were taking him ashore. The islands 

 were named in honor of him. On the whole the situa- 

 tion was most deplorable. Bering had fallen away so 

 much in his illness that he could not stand, and the 

 others that were sick were carried ashore, and lay scat- 

 tered along the coast, giving this a very sad and sorrow- 

 ful aspect. Confusion and uncertainty grew apace, as 

 those in command could not maintain their authority. 

 Waxel and Khitroff, the highest in command, bandied 

 words, whereas the situation demanded firmness and 

 vigor. The only one that preserved any manner of self- 

 possession and forethought was Steller. He immedi- 

 ately went ashore, examined the vegetation of the island, 

 and collected a large number of anti-scorbutic plants. 



