. Review of Berings First Hapedition, 1725-30. 149 
etc. This is absurd. They had a compass and there is no reason why 
they should not find their bearings, and it is certain they were there 
to make observations and not to verify those already made. No 
apology is needed for Bering’s determination to press more rapidly 
northward. It was in accordance with common sense, considering the 
lateness of the season and the uncertainty of what they had to accom- 
plish before the season closed. 
Aug. 1/12. Festival of the Holy Cross. The expedition saw 
land to the northward and soon after entered a great bay which 
they named Holy Cross Bay. This they explored to the river at 
its head which they named Bolshoia (Great) River, and on the 
western point of entrance the latitude was, Aug. 2/13, observed 
to be 65° 35’ north, while the longitude by dead reckoning was 
estimated at 182° 15’ east of Greenwich, and the magnetic varia- 
tion = of a point easterly. 
Notes.—Lauridsen says (p. 31, American edition) that in Holy Cross 
Bay the Gabriel spent two days under sail in search of fresh water and 
a place to anchor.” This is extremely singular, as there is an 
anchorage immediately at the entrance to the bay, on the starboard 
hand, and runs of fresh water are abundant. The application of an 
obvious correction* to the list of positions given by Campbell makes 
the position at the western elbow or spit, at the mouth of Holy Cross 
Bay, that which is given above. This position is over a degree too far 
west and over six miles too far south. But Lauridsen (quoting Camp- 
bell without observing the blunder?) not stating the source of his 
information, gives a position (N. Lat. 62° 50’) which is two hundred and 
twelve miles too far south and the English translation improves upon 
this by making it 60° 50’, or three hundred and thirty two miles south 
* In Harris’ Voy., 2d ed., ii, p. 1021, Bering’s table of positions is 
printed : 
Nischuvi Kamschatska Oostrog, (N. Lat.) 56° 11’ (Lon. E. Tobolsk), 98° 30’ 
The Mouth of the river of the Apostle Thadeus and the 
(CROSS GUA Sela SRA ne ee eg eet ieee cere Mae nt 56° 03’, 96° 10’ 
The Elbow of the river Swetoi Krest ......------.------ 62° 20’, 111° 32’ 
BAB be TM Olntp. cee ees cts) tee aa ee 65° 35’, 115° 15” 
This should read, errors and misplacements corrected : 
Lat. Long. 
NizhniKamechatsic OStrOe 2.6 222- 2c0-sa2-s-esaee ces 56° 11’, 95° 30’ 
The mouthot the River (amechatka)o2 22222222222 _-) = 56° 08,’ 96° 10’ 
The Cape of the Apostle Thaddeus .--.----------------- 62° 20’, 111° 827 
The western cape (or spit) of Svietoi Krest Bay-------- - 65° 35’, 115° 15’ 
The words in parentheses are added by the writer for clearness. It is 
somewhat surprising that in using this table nobody seems to have 
recognized these errors. 
