water along the shore so shallow, that they were obliged to steer towards the westward. It was supposed that the shoals from hence to Cape Newenham, might be owing to a river flowing here into the sea; the water being muddy and rather fresh.
After discovering an island, which was named Clerke's Island, in lat. 63° 15', long. 190° 30'; Capt. Cook returned towards the coast, to search for a harbour; but finding none, he again steered to the south-west; passed an island which he named Gore's Island, and another which he called Pinnacle Island; and coming in sight of Ocnalashka, on friday, October 2nd, he anchored next day with both ships in the harbour of Samganoodha. Here our navigator was visited by three Russian traders, and a Mr. Ismyloff, the principal Russian resident in these parts, who lived at Egoochshac, on the west side of the island. Civilities and presents were interchanged, and the Russians, particularly Mr. Ismyloff, gave the Captain much valuable information, as to the geography of this country, the voyages of the Russians, and the extent of their discoveries, in this part of the world. Two written charts were shewn him, which assisted him in adjusting his own, and in correcting the errors of former voyagers. Mr. Ismyloff took charge of a letter to the Admiralty, to be sent by the way of Kamtschatka. The Captain gave this intelligent gentleman a Hadley's octant; and to the person who was to take the letter to Petropaulowska, he gave a spying glass, as a token to Major Behm, Governor of Kamtschatka; for whom also Captain Cook received from Mr. Ismyloff, a letter of introduction, in the view of his touching at Kamtschat-
