Three Accounts of the Vasil'ev-Shismarev Expedition of 1819-1822

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afternoon, an American brig [the Pedler entered the bay and dropped anchor not far from us. Its captain by the name of Piget [Pigot] boarded the "Discovery." He announced that he had come here from the Sandwich Islands to trade furs with the local inhabitants. We advised him to go to the smaller part of the Sound, and, at that, as close as possible to the northeastern shores, but not to go on land, and to permit the Indians on the brig only after taking all precautions because these people were crafty and wicked. As proof, we related our adventures with them, and advised him of the principal article that they required. After nine months we met him again on Vahu Island [Oahu] and learned that he had a profitable trade following our advice.9

Sailing northward from Kotzebue Sound

On July 17, we weighed anchor, and on the 18th, passing Cape Krusenstern, we set out toward the North. About noon, a thick descending fog hid the "Discovery" and the shore from us. Then we started to give each other fog signals every quarter of an hour. Toward evening the fog lifted, and we again saw the "Discovery" and the shore. The latter was so close that we saw on it with the naked eye a large settlement, from which came down to the shore a large number of inhabitants, who waved fox and other furs at us. But we, not paying any attention to them, continued our trip in the stated direction. The clear weather did not remain long. After midnight the fog thickened again and persisted uninterruptedly until the 22nd. At first,