north-eastern part of Asia, &c. i 3 
that had occurred, to which they had given the name of 
Swiastoi Noss/ The word Swiastoi signifies sacred, and is a 
name suitable to a promontory which could not be doubled. 
And this corresponds with the Siberian charts before noticed.* 
It is necessary here to explain by what means the naviga- 
tors in the Icy sea were enabled to arrive with their vessels 
at a second promontory, without having sailed round the 
first. On account of the frequency of being inclosed in the 
Icy sea, by the drift ice, it was customary to construct vessels 
in a manner that admitted of their being with ease taken to 
pieces ; by which they could be carried across the ice to the 
outer edge, and there be put together again. The planks 
were fastened and kept to the timbers only by leathern 
straps, in lieu of nails or pegs. The construction of the 
vessels in which Deschnew and his companions went is not 
specified. Mr. Muller calls them Kotsches. Baron Strah- 
lenberg says they departed eastward from the river Lena 
in their boats. 
In the beginning of the 18th century, the Czar Peter the 
Great sent directions to the Governor of Iakutzk to collect 
information concerning the discoveries which had been made. 
In consequence of this order, several examinations and. depo- 
sitions were taken ; and the few authentic particulars which are 
known of the voyage of Deschnew were thereby preserved. 
The mjst remarkable of the depositions which are cited by 
Mr. Muller, next to what relates to the expedition of 
* It may be objected to this inference, that another cape in the Icy sea, although 
it has been sailed round, bears nevertheless the name of Swiastoi Noss ; but it may 
naturally be imagined that the name was given before the difficulty had been sur- 
mounted. 
