Vikings of the Pacific | Page 3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
CHAPTER VII

1728-1779
CAPTAIN COOK IN AMERICA
The English Navigator sent Two Hundred Years later to find the New
Albion of Drake's Discoveries--He misses both the Straits of Fuca and
the Mouth of the Columbia, but anchors at Nootka, the Rendezvous of
Future Traders--No Northeast Passage found through Alaska--The True
Cause of Cook's Murder in Hawaii told by Ledyard--Russia becomes
Jealous of his Explorations . . . . . . . . . . . 172
CHAPTER VIII
1785-1792
ROBERT GRAY, THE AMERICAN DISCOVERER OF THE
COLUMBIA
Boston Merchants, inspired by Cook's Voyages, outfit Two Vessels
under Kendrick and Gray for Discovery and Trade on the
Pacific--Adventures of the First Ship to carry the American Flag
around the World--Gray attacked by Indians at Tillamook Bay--His
Discovery of the Columbia River on the Second Voyage--Fort Defence
and the First American Ship built on the Pacific . . . . . . . . . 210
CHAPTER IX
1778-1790
JOHN LEDYARD, THE FORERUNNER OF LEWIS AND CLARK
A New England Ne'er-do-well, turned from the Door of Rich Relatives,
joins Cook's Expedition to America--Adventure among the Russians of
Oonalaska--Useless Endeavor to interest New England Merchants in
Fur Trade--A Soldier of Fortune in Paris, he meets Jefferson and Paul
Jones and outlines Exploration of Western America--Succeeds in
crossing Siberia alone on the Way to America, but is thwarted by
Russian Fur Traders . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

CHAPTER X
1779-1794
GEORGE VANCOUVER, LAST OF PACIFIC COAST EXPLORERS
Activities of Americans, Spanish, and Russians on the West Coast of
America arouse England--Vancouver is sent out ostensibly to settle the
Quarrel between Fur Traders and Spanish Governors at
Nootka--Incidentally, he is to complete the Exploration of America's
West Coast and take Possession for England of Unclaimed
Territory--The Myth of a Northeast Passage dispelled
Forever . . . . . . . . . . . 263


PART III
EXPLORATION GIVES PLACE TO FUR TRADE--THE
EXPLOITATION
OF THE PACIFIC COAST UNDER THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN
FUR COMPANY, AND THE RENOWNED LEADER BARANOF
CHAPTER XI
1579-1867
THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN FUR COMPANY
The Pursuit of the Sable leads Cossacks across Siberia; of the Sea-otter,
across the Pacific as far south as California--Caravans of Four
Thousand Horses on the Long Trail--Seven Thousand Miles across
Europe and Asia--Banditti of the Sea--The Union of All Traders in One
Monopoly--Siege and Slaughter of Sitka--How Monroe Doctrine grew
out of Russian Fur Trade--Aims of Russia to dominate North

Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
CHAPTER XII
1747-1818
BARANOF, THE LITTLE CZAR OF THE PACIFIC
Baranof lays the Foundations of Russian Empire on the Pacific Coast
of America--Shipwrecked on his Way to Alaska, he yet holds his Men
in Hand and turns the Ill-hap to Advantage--How he bluffs the Rival
Fur Companies in Line--First Russian Ship built in
America--Adventures leading the Sea-otter Hunters--Ambushed by the
Indians--The Founding of Sitka--Baranof, cast off in his Old Age, dies
of Broken Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339

ILLUSTRATIONS
Seal Rookery, Commander Islands . . . . . . . . . Frontispiece
Peter the Great . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Map of Course followed by Bering . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
The St. Peter and St. Paul, from a rough sketch by Bering's comrade,
Steller, the scientist . . . . . . . 29
Steller's Arch on Bering Island, named after the scientist Steller, of
Bering's Expedition . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
A Glacier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Sea Cows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Seals in a Rookery on Bering Island . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Mauritius Augustus, Count Benyowsky . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Sir John Hawkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135