Steller

Outside of Bering, the most well-known member of the expedition is its naturalist and doctor, Georg Steller. A leading naturalist of the time, he was the first non-native to set foot on Alaskan soil and became a pioneer in Alaskan natural history. On the voyage, he described several animals, some of which now bear his name, such as the Steller's sea lion, Steller's jay, and Steller's sea eagle. Steller also played a pivotal role in nursing the St. Peter's crew back to health during the 10 months they were stranded on the Commander Islands.

His descriptions of Steller's sea cow are the only ones in existence. These large sea mammals were similar to manatees and once ranged across the Northern Pacific during the Ice Ages. But by the 1700s, their population was confined to the shallow kelp beds around the Commander Islands. They soon were hunted to extinction by the Russian crews that followed in Bering's wake. 

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