This island, which was named Sledge Island, and lies in the latitude of 64 deg. 30’, and in the longitude of 193 deg. 57’, is about four leagues in circuit.  The surface of the ground is composed chiefly of large loose stones, that are, in many places, covered with moss and other vegetables, of which there were above twenty or thirty different sorts, and most of them in flower.  But I saw neither shrub nor tree, either upon this island or on the continent.  On a small low spot, near the beach where we landed, was a good deal of wild purslain, pease, long-wort, &c.; some of which we took on board for the pot.  We saw one fox, a few plovers, and some other small birds; and we met with some decayed huts that were partly built below ground.  People had lately been on the island; and it is pretty clear, that they frequently visit it for some purpose or other, as there was a beaten path from the one end to the other.  We found, a little way from the shore where we landed, a sledge, which occasioned this name being given to the island, it seemed to be such a one as the Russians in Kamtschatka make use of to convey goods from place to place over the ice or snow.  It was ten feet long, twenty inches broad, and had a kind of rail-work on each side, and was shod with bone.  The construction of it was admirable, and all the parts neatly put together; some with wooden pins, but mostly with thongs or lashings of whalebone, which made me think it was entirely the workmanship of the natives.

At three o’clock the next morning we weighed, and proceeded to the north-westward, with a light southerly breeze.  We had an opportunity to observe the sun’s meridian altitude for the latitude; and to get altitudes, both in the forenoon and afternoon, to obtain the longitude by the time-keeper.  As we had but little wind, and variable withal, we advanced but slowly; and at eight in the evening, finding the ships settle fast toward the land into shoal water, I anchored in seven fathoms, about two leagues from the coast.  Sledge Island bore S., 51 deg.  E., ten leagues distant, and was seen over the south point of the main land.

Soon after we had anchored, the weather, which had been misty, clearing up, we saw high land extending from N., 40 deg.  E., to N., 30 deg.  W., apparently disjoined from the coast, under which we were at anchor, which seemed to trend away N.E.  At the same time, an island was seen bearing N., 81 deg.  W., eight or nine leagues distant.  It appeared to have no great extent, and was named King’s Island.  We rode here till eight o’clock next morning, when we weighed, and stood to the N.W.  The weather clearing up toward the evening, we got sight of the N.W. land, extending from N. by W. to N.W. by N., distant about three leagues.  We spent the night making short boards, the weather being misty and rainy, with little wind; and, between four and five of the morning of the 8th, we had again a sight of the N.W. land; and soon after, on account of a