The Voyages of Vitus Bering: Charting the Unknown
The First Kamchatka Expedition (1728)
In 1728, Danish-born navigator Vitus Bering embarked on his maiden voyage to the Far East, sponsored by the Russian Navy and Peter the Great’s vision for an expansive Russian Empire. Bering’s mission was to explore the eastern coast of Siberia and determine whether Asia and America were connected by land. He set sail from the port of Kamchatka with a crew of 260 men, including skilled cartographers, scientists, and sailors. Bering’s ship, the St. Gabriel, navigated the coast of Siberia, but Bering Strait remained a mysterious and treacherous passage. After months at sea, Bering and his crew failed to spot the Alaskan coast, instead observing an unbroken horizon. They named the spot they believed to be the western edge of Asia “Tikhaya Guba” (Pacific Bay), unaware that it marked the entrance to the Bering Strait.
The Second Kamchatka Expedition (1741): The Great Northern Expedition
Eight years later, in 1741, Bering set out on his most famous voyage, the Great Northern Expedition. This time, he was tasked with exploring the eastern coast of Asia and mapping the western coast of North America. Bering’s fleet consisted of two ships, the St. Paul and the Peter the Great, which sailed from Kamchatka on July 4, 1741. As they navigated the Bering Strait, the crew spotted the Alaskan coast on August 17, 1741. The sighting marked the first recorded European encounter with Alaska, making Bering a pioneer in the history of exploration.
Georg Steller’s Observations
One of the most notable scientists on Bering’s crew was Georg Steller, a German botanist and zoologist. Steller’s observations during the Second Kamchatka Expedition led to the discovery of several species that would later bear his name. Among these were the Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), a massive marine mammal that became extinct shortly after its discovery. Steller also described the Steller’s jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), a vibrant blue and black bird that is a familiar sight in Alaska’s forests. Additionally, Steller documented the Steller’s sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), a majestic marine mammal that is still found in Alaskan waters.
Shipwreck and Bering’s Death
On December 8, 1741, disaster struck as the St. Peter shipwrecked on the rocky coast of Bering Island. The crew was forced to abandon ship, leaving behind valuable equipment and supplies. Bering died on December 8 or 9, 1741, possibly due to scurvy or pneumonia, and was buried on the island. The survivors, led by Lieutenant Vitus Ivakin, set sail in the St. Paul and made their way back to Kamchatka, where they arrived in June 1742. They brought with them a cargo of valuable sea otter pelts, which would spark a frenzy of interest in the Russian fur trade.
The Russian Fur Trade Rush
The sea otter pelts collected by Bering’s crew were highly prized for their soft, luxurious fur. News of their discovery spread quickly, and the Russian fur trade began to boom. The Aleut people, who had traditionally harvested sea otters for their pelts, found themselves at the forefront of this new industry. The demand for sea otter pelts led to the establishment of Russian trading posts and forts throughout Alaska, with the Unangan and Aleut peoples bearing the brunt of colonization.
The Unangan/Aleut Peoples
The Unangan and Aleut peoples have lived in Alaska for thousands of years, with their ancestors migrating from Siberia across the Bering Land Bridge. These indigenous peoples developed a rich culture and tradition, with a strong emphasis on subsistence living, storytelling, and spiritual practice. The arrival of European colonizers brought significant disruption and suffering for the Unangan and Aleut peoples, who were subjected to forced labor, disease, and violence.
Modern Traces
Today, the legacy of Bering’s expeditions can be seen in the modern landscape of Alaska. The Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, located in the Arctic region of Alaska, protects the remains of the ancient land bridge that connected Asia and America. The Bering Strait, which Bering navigated in 1728, remains a vital shipping lane and fishing ground. The Bering Sea, which Bering explored in 1741, is a rich fishing ground and a hub for marine wildlife.
Cross-Links and Learn More
For more information on the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, please visit the National Park Service website:
Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
For information on the Aleutian Islands and their rich cultural heritage, please visit:
Aleutian Islands
For more information on the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, please visit:
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
Learn More
* National Park Service
* Smithsonian Institution
* Russian Academy of Sciences
* Library of Congress
Sources
* “The Voyage of Bering and Chirikov, 1728-1743” by Richard A. Pierce (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1967)
* “Georg Steller’s Journal” translated by William B. Langdon (University of Washington Press, 1988)
* “The Russian-American Colonies, 1741-1867” by A. T. Vasilev (Russian Academy of Sciences, 1972)
* “The Aleut People: A History” by William S. Laughlin (University of Washington Press, 1983)
* “Bering Land Bridge National Preserve” by the National Park Service (2003)