Gavriil Pribylov

Georgii Pobedonosets), a sloop or galiot,[1] when he discovered St. George Island on June 25, 1786, by following the sounds of barking northern fur seals.

[2] Pribylov's discovery successfully ended an active three-year search for the lucrative breeding grounds of fur seals by Siberian merchants.

[1] More than 20 of Pribylov's crew, which was of mixed Russian and Aleut descent, were left on St. George Island to hunt the seals.

A year later in 1787, Pribylov discovered St. Paul Island, approximately 50 miles to the north of St.

[2] In truth, Pribylov did not actually discover the islands, as he was directed to their approximate location by the son of an Aleut chief.

Pribylov discovered the islands of St. George and St. Paul in 1786–87; they and surrounding small islets were later named after him.