6 
the smallest “breeze, especially from the north-east, would have been 
sufficient to dash her to pieces, I cannot help feeling grateful to 
Providence, persuaded that, without his aid, like Mr. de la Perouse and 
his companions, not one of us would ever again have beheld his native land: 
for even if we had escaped from a watery grave, it would only have been, as 
the island affords neither water nor wood, to have suffered a worse death 
by famine. To my ship f s company I owe, on this trying occasion, a tribute 
of thanks, as well as a tribute of commendation: both officers and men 
were so incessantly employed, that they had hardly more than six hours 1 rest 
during the whole time we remained at the island; and so far Were they from 
murmuring at this, that a cheerfulness, an alacrity, and a courage, were 
displayed by them, that have seldom been surpassed. To the south-east 
point of the bank where the vessel grounded, I gave the names of Neva; 
while the island itself, in compliance with the unanimous wishes of my 
ship's company, received the appellation of Lisiansky. 
23rd In the morning of the 23 rd we had a westerly wind, with rain. 
On the weather clearing up at noon, we found ourselves in the latitude of 
22° 15 f North, and the longitude of 175° 52 ! West. At the close of our 
observations, from the wind shifting to the southward, we steered westward; 
but had scarcely pursued that course one hour, when breakers were observed 
from the foretop, right a-head. I could myself see from the forecastle a 
great rippling before the ship, and I tacked instantly. Lieutenant 
Powaliskin and the ship's master went aloft, and confirmed the report, 
that a little beyond the rippling were high breakers. At this time the 
clouds began to move with rapidity, and the wind was in a very unsettled 
state; expecting, therefore, bad weather, I thought it advisable to retire 
