Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 edition. Excerpt: ...the fifty-fifth and fifty-sixth parallels, too far north for Avatcha. The next move was to get out of the bay and away from land because of the threatening storm. The condition of the men on the boat was most pitiful. There were only ten persons who were able to get about at all.414 During the last few days many on board died, 414StlIer in Pallas's Neue Nordische Beytrdge, vol. v, 219. Waxel in his report p. 228 gives eight as the number of men able to be on deck. the sick were sinking fast, and those who stood their watch were so weak that they had to be led to their places and taken from them by men who were not in much better physical condition themselves.415 The days were gloomy and short and the nights long and black, with the danger of running into some unknown land at any time. So helpless were they that when the storm broke on them about midnight there was no one able to furl the sails, the result being that they were torn, the masts sprung and became in part useless. This was the situation on the morning of the sixth. A council of the ship's officers was called to decide on the next step. After taking into consideration the condition of men and boat, time of year, distance from Avatcha, lack of water (only six barrels were left on hand), and the bad weather, it was concluded to return to the bay from which they had just come, land, save the lives of those on board and if possible the ship.418 The boat was put about and headed for the land. When towards sunset they were within two versts of shore they commenced to heave the lead, moving gradually nearer to within a verst and dropped anchor in nine fathoms. It was already night (five o'clock) but the moon was shining. About half an hour after anchoring a heavy surf began to run...
