208 VITUS BERING. 



In the Swedish geographical journal, '* Ymer," 1884, there is an 

 interesting account by E. W, Dahlgren of the copies of Bering's 

 chart in Sweden. 



39. Gmelin: Reise durch Sihirien. Introduction. 



40. Bering's proposition was formulated as follows: (1) As the 

 waves, according to my observation, are smaller east of Kamchatka 

 [than in the open ocean], and, moreover, as I have on Karaginski 

 Island found large fir-trees washed ashore, which do not grow in 

 Kamchatka, it is my opinion that America or some intervening land 

 can not be very far from Kamchatka (150-200 geographical miles). 

 In case this is so, commercial relations with that country that would 

 be to the advantage of the Russian empire could be established. 

 This matter can be investigated, if a vessel is built of from 45 to 50 

 tons burden. (2) This vessel ought to be built at Kamchatka, as at 

 this place more available timber is found than at other places [on 

 the east coast] ; moreover, provisions for the crew, fish and other 

 animals are easily obtained. Besides, greater assistance can be 

 obtained from the Kamchadales than from the inhabitants of 

 Okhotsk. (3) It would not be without advantage to find out the sea- 

 route from Okhotsk or Kamchatka to the mouth of the Amoor and 

 farther on to the Japan Islands, as we there have hopes of finding 

 inhabited regions. It would be well to establish commercial rela- 

 tions with them, especially with the Japanese, which promises the 

 Russian empire no small advantage in the future. For this purpose 

 a ship of the same size or a little smaller than the first might be 

 built. (4) The expenses of this expedition in addition to the salaries 

 and the materials, which could not be secured there, but would have 

 to be taken along from here or Siberia, would, including the trans- 

 port, amount to ten or twelve thousand rubles. (5) If it is consid- 

 ered advisable to chart the northern coast of Siberia, especially from 

 the mouth of the Obi to the Yenisei and hence to the Lena, this can 

 be done by sailing down these rivers or by expeditions by land, as 



these regions are under Russian rule. 



Vitus Bering. 



April 30, 1730. 



These propositions were first published by Berch in " The First 

 Russian Admirals," and later reprinted by Sokoloff in Zapiski 

 Hydrograficheshago Departamenta (Journal of Hydr, Dept.), St, 

 Petersburg, IX., Appendix. 



