CHAP.
X.
JlHUi,
1826.
The next day we had the satisfaction of seeing the high mountains of
Kamsehatka, which at a distance are the best guides to the port of
Awatska. 'i'he eastern mountain, situated twenty-five miles from
Petrapaulski, is 7'S75 feet high by my trigonometrical measurement;
another, which is the highest, situated N. 5° E. from the same place, and
a little to the northward of a short range upon which there is a volcano
in constant action, is 11'500 feet. At eight o’clock we distinguished
Cape Gavarea, which with Chepoonski Noss forms a deep bay in which
the harbour of Petrapaulski is situated, and the same evening we were
becalmed within six miles of our port. Nothing could surpass the
serenity of the evening or the magnificence of the mountains capped
with perennial snows, rising in majestic array above each other. The
volcano emitted smoke at intervals, and from a sprinkling of black dots
on the snow to leeward of the crater we concluded there had been a
recent eruption.
At two o’clock the following afternoon we anchored off the town
of Petrapaulski, and found lying in the inner harbour his imperial majesty’s
ship Modeste, commanded by Baron Wrangel, an enterprising
officer, well known to the xvorld as the commander of a hazardous expedition
on sledges over the ice to the northward of Schelatskoi Noss.
I found despatches awaiting my arrival, communicating the return
of the expedition under Captain Parry, and desiring me to cancel that
part of my instructions which related to him. The officers on landing,
at the little town of Petrapaulski, met with a very polite reception
from the governor, Stanitski, a captain in the Russian navy, who,
during our short stay in port, laid us under many obligations for
articles of the most acceptable kind to seamen after a long voyage I
regretted extremely at this time that confinement to my cabin jire-
vented my having the pleasure of making either his acquaintance or
that of the pastor of Paratounka, of w'hose ancestor such lionourable
mention has been made in the voyages of Captain Cook, a pleasure
which was reserved for the following year. The worthy pastor, in
strict compliance with the injunctions of his grandfather, that he
should send a calf to the captain of every English man of war that
might arrive in the port, presented me with one of his own rearing.
and sent daily supplies of milk, butter, and curds. Had our stay in C H A P .
this excellent port permitted, we should have received a supply of
oxen, W'hich would have been most acceptable to the ship’s company;
.luly,
1826.
but the animals had to be driven from Bolcheresk, and, pressed as we
were for time, too great a delay would have been incurred in waifang
for them. The colony at this time was as much distressed for provisions
as ourselves, and was even worse off, in consequence oi their inferiority.
On the 1st of .July we w'eighed and attempted to put to sea, but
we experienced the difficulties of which several navigators have complained,
and were obliged to anchor again, but at too great a distance
from the town to have any communication.
On the 2d, as well as on the 3d, we also weighed, but were obliged
to anchor each time; and it was not until the Sth, after weighing and
anchoring twice that morning, to prevent going ashore, that the ship
reached the outside of the harbour; this difficulty arises from counter
currents which prevent the steerage of the ship. After clearing the
harbour there was a strong wind against us, but it soon died entirely
away, and left us exposed to a heavy swell, which rolled with great
violence upon the shore; so much so, that for some time the boats were
insufficient to prevent the ship nearing the land, and there was no
anchorage, in consequence of the great depth of water : fortunately towards
night a light air favoured our departure, and we succeeded in
getting an ofliiig.
My object was now to make the best of ray way to Kotzebue Sound,
as there were but fourteen days left before the arrival of the appointed
time of rendezA'ous there, and every effort was directed towards that
end. As we sailed across the wide bay in which Petrapaulski is situated,
we connected the capes at its extremities with the port and intermediate
objects, by which it appears that Cape Gavarea has hitherto
been erroneously placed with regard to Chepoonski Noss ; but I shall^
not here interrupt the narrative by the insertion of the particulars ol
the operations.
At day-light the following morning Chepoonski Noss was seen
N. 19" W., and in the afternoon of the next day high land was discerned
from the mast-head in the direction of Krotnoi Mountain. This