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

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succeeded in nearing the shore, but the calm again detained us at the sea and we were forced to remain another 24 hours under sail, in sight of the quiet, beautiful harbor.

On the 21st we were so close to shore that we were able to take advantage of the rising sea breeze* and enter the harbor, but as it was formed of a coral reef covered with water during high tides and extending in a wide arc from north to south--and we knew that the entrance was loctaed only on this latter side--then our captain, for safety, ordered our raising the kaiser flag on the fore-topgallant mast and firing a cannon to request a pilot.

Soon we saw several pirogues rowing toward us from the harbor. On one of them were two Englishmen, the sailors, Bottle [Harbottle] and Yorn. The first one, coming on deck, introduced himself as the pilot of His Hawaiian Majesty in Hanaruro [ Honolulu ] Harbor, and introduced Yorn as his apprentice. The latter immediately returned ashore to report to the governor of the island by name of Poki [Boki] about the arrival of a Russian naval vessel, and to request permission to guide it into the harbor. Meanwhile, the wind started to

*Near the shore of the southern regions of the globe, generally, if not prevented by severe storms or hurricanes, the wind blows from the shore at night and to the shore in the daytime, reaching its greatest velocity toward midnight and noon.

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very brilliant vegetable colors. Having undressed, the king lay down on the mats and invited us to do the same. Then he started to inquire of us through the interpreter, the Frenchman Rivés, about Russia, whereby he expressed a desire to visit the Emperor Alexander; about our American colonies, known to him from the expedition of some fortune hunter, Doctor Sheffer [Georg Anton Shäffer], who presuaded the manager Baranov [of the Russian-American Company] that there was nothing easier than to occupy Vahu Island from which he was exiled by the late father of the king; and finally, about the purpose of our expedition, which he could in no way understand, and asked, what concern is it of our Emperor whether water or land are found in the North? Our captains asked his permission to set up tents on shore for astronomical observations, and he immediately ordered a place set aside for us on the right side of the fortress. When we wanted to take our leave, he took it into his head to invite us to his yacht. He got dressed again, and went with us on our tender. On the yacht, we were treated to wine and fruit. When we left, he ordered a salute of five shots, which were answered by as many from the "Discovery."

The next day, His Hawaiin Majesty honored us with his visit. He appeared in the uniform of a British admiral in a straw hat and in shoes [without stockings]. He was accompanied by the above mentioned Kraimoku, Governor Poki, like the king, in the uniform of the English fleet, and his favorite wife, Kamehameha [Kamamalu] in a white satin dress although her hair was made up in the Hawaiin manner, and her feet were without