Directory for Behring's Sea and Coast of Alaska

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869. Excerpt: ... tial loss. Had the great navigator but penetrated a few miles further, his views would have been of a different character; and it was reserved for Vancouver to determine its real nature, which, as it does not partake of that of a river, he has properly called Cook's Inlet. CHAPTER III. THE KODIACK ARCHIPELAGO, ALIASKA, AND THE ALEUTIAN ARCHIPELAGO. The Kodiack Archipelago was first seen by Behring, on his voyage of discovery, on returning from the American coast, in 1741. They were seen in 1763 by the Russian merchant Glotoff. In 17(38 Chelighoff took possession of them in the name of a company of merchants for the trade in furs, of which he was the chief; and in 1799 tbey were granted in full possession to a society of merchants formed from that of Chelighoff, and some other similar associations, under the title of the Russian American Company. The Kodiack Archipelago is composed of two principal isles, Kodiack and Afognack, and several smaller islets in their neighborhood. Kodiack (or Cadiack, as it is called by Lisiansky) is very mountainous, and surrounded by deep bays, into which a number of small rivers fall. On the shores of these many settlements might be formed, but the country elsewhere is in general too elevated, and is, besides, for the greater part of the year, covered with snow. The materials of which the island is composed are chiefly slate and common graystone. The climate, from the account given of it by the inhabitants, and from what Lisiansky experienced, is by no means agreeable. The air is seldom clear, and, even in summer, there are few days which may be called warm. The weather, indeed, depends entirely on the winds. So long as they continue to blow from the north, the west, or the south quarter, it is fine; when from other points...