PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
551 
to be on its passage to the southward, and the bergs were large and CHAP, 
scattered. Under these circumstances, Lieutenant Belcher, to avoid 
being beset, stood back to the cape, and with difficulty maintained his Sept. 
station off there in consequence of the severity of the weather, which 
cased his sails, and the clothes of the seamen exposed to the spray, 
with ice. 
Three of his crew at this time became invalids with chilblains 
and ulcers occasioned by the cold; and the necessity of carrying a 
press of sail strained the boat to such a degree that she again leaked so 
fast that the pumps were kept constantly at work. It became neces- 
sary, therefore, to seek shelter, and he bore up for Point Hope ; but 
before he reached that place the sea broke twice over the stern of the 
boat and nearly swamped her. Upon landing at the point he was 
met by the natives, who were beginning to prepare their yourts for 
the winter. His crew here dried their clothes for the first time for 
several days, and Lieutenant Belcher having obtained the latitude, 
again put to sea; but finding the weather still so bad that he could 
not keep the coast with safety, and the period of his rendezvous at 
Chamisso Island having arrived, he pursued his course for that place, 
w'here he found the instructions I had left for him before I proceeded 
to examine Port Clarence. 
Among other things he was desired to collect a quantity of drift- 
timber, and to erect an observatory upon Choris Peninsula ; in which 
he was engaged, when the wind coming suddenly in upon the shore 
where the barge was anchored, the crew were immediately ordered on 
board. It unfortunately happened that the w^eather was so fine in the 
morning that only two persons w'ere left in the vessel, and the boat 
belonging to the barge being small could take only four at a time. One 
boat-load had joined the vessel, but the sui’f rose so suddenly, that in 
the attempt to reach her a second time, the oars were broken, and the 
boat was thrown back by the sea and rendered nearly useless. Several 
persevering and unsuccessful efforts were afterwards made to reach the 
Vessel, which being anchored in shallow water struck hard upon the 
ground, and soon filled. Some Esquimaux happened to have a baidar 
near the spot, and Mr. Belcher compelled them to assist him in reaching 
