290 LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 
disease as to be obliged continually to keep their beds, who 
remained as long as possible on their legs, and in motibn. It 
was owing to their vivacity and their natural gayety that they 
were not dejected like the others. A man of this disposition 
served at the same time for an example, and encouraged by 
his conversation those who were in the same condition. The 
good effects of exercise were particularly apparent in the offi- 
cers, who were constantly employed in giving orders, and 
obliged to be on deck the greatest part of the time, to keep an 
eye on what passed. They were always in action, and could 
not lose their spirits, for they had Steller with them. Steller 
was a physician of the soul as well as of the body ; cheerful- 
ness was his constant companion, and he communicated it to 
all around him. Among the officers the commodore was the 
only person who sunk beneath the disease ; his age and his 
constitution rendered him more disposed to rest than to activity. 
He at length became so suspicious, and was so impressed with 
the idea that every one was his enemy, that at last even Steller, 
whom he had before regarded as his best friend, durst not ap- 
pear in his presence. 
Waxel and Chitroff remained in tolerable health as long as 
they were at sea. They remained in the ship till the last, re- 
solving that all the crew should be put on shore before they re- 
paired thither themselves. They likewise had better accommo- 
dations on board. This situation, however, had nearly proved 
fatal to them, either because they no longer had so much ex- 
ercise, or were exposed to the noxious vapors which ascended 
from the hold. In a few days they were taken so ill that they 
were obliged to be carried from tli»e ship to the shore, and with 
proper precautions on their removal into the air, they both 
recovered. 
Beerings died the 8th of December, 1741, and the island 
was called after his name. This officer was by birth a Dane. 
From his early youth he had shown a passionate inclination 
for long vo^rages. He had just returned from the East and 
West Indies, when he presented himself to the Czar Peter, 
who was then employed in creating a naiy. In 1707 he 
was appointed lieutenant, and in 1710 captain-lieutenant in 
the fleet of that monarch. Having been from his cradle in 
the sea service, and in all the maritime expeditions during the 
war with Sweden, he had acquired great experience beside 
the skill necessary for a naval officer. He therefore appeared 
worthy of being selected to command the two expeditionjs 
to Kamtschatka. But what a wretched end for such a cele- 
