mss142-vasilevShishmarev-i3-003

- 53 -

from Russia had spoiled, from there to to to Kadiak [Kodiak]
and Unalashka [Unalaska] to obtain interpreters for North
American [Alascan Eskimo] languages and to get Aleuts with
baidars [umiaks, or skin boats]; thereafter, to try to
join the "Discovery," which intended to go directly to Kamchatka
to be at Kotzebue Sound toward the end of June.

When we left Port Jackson, the winds were not very
favorable, so that we reached 30[degree symbol] 54' south latitude and
160[degree symbol] 29' east longitude only on the 22nd of the same month. *
Here, the wind changed and became completely favorable for
our purpose. Our captain ordered us, by means of the telegraph
[semaphore telegraph] to inquire of Captain Vasilev if
he should immediately follow the given direction. Receiving
an affirmative answer, we tried to approach the "Discovery"
to say farewell to our comrades and to throw over to them a
pack of letters to our relatives and friends in the fatherland,
but our efforts were in vain. A rather heavy sea prevented
nearing the necessary distance for this, and our letters
fell into the sea, for which reason our relatives were deprived
of the joy of receiving news from their near ones from the
middle of the immeasurable ocean.

Taking an opposite course from the "Discovery," we
quickly drew farther and farther from each other with a rather
fresh wind, and before the sun had set, lost our friend from sight.

*During the whole voyage we counted longitude from
Greenwich.