Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/148

96 Kodiacks, on the opposite side of the stream, who conduct the greater part of the traffic with the natives, and catch and cure fish for the general consumption.

The present very substantial house erecting for the Governor and his establishment, is about one hundred and forty feet in length, by seventy feet wide, of two good stories, with lofts, capped by a lighthouse in the centre of the roof. The summit of the light is one hundred and ten feet above the sea-level, and commands a most extensive prospect. The building is of wood, solid; some of the logs measuring seventy-six and eighty feet in length, and squaring one foot. They half dovetail over each other at the angles, and are treenailed together vertically. The roof is pitched, and covered with sheet iron.

When complete, the fortifications (one side only of which at present remains) will comprise five sides, upon which forty pieces of cannon will be mounted, principally old ship guns, varying from twelve to twenty-four pounders. The bulwarks are of wood, and fitted similarly to the ports on the maindeck of a frigate.

The arsenal, which is immediately under, on the low ground, is well-stored with cordage of every description, and of very superior quality. The cables and large rope come by sea, but the yarn, in packages of fifty-six pounds, is transported on mules through Siberia. The range of artificers is very complete, and specimens of their workmanship in