Page "Vitus Bering" Paragraph 4

On 8 October 1713, Bering married Anna Christina Pülse ; the ceremony took place in the Lutheran church at Vyborg, only recently annexed from Sweden.

Over the next 18 years, they had 9 children, of which 4 survived childhood.

During his time with the Russian navy – particularly as part of the Great Northern War – he was unable to spend much time with Anna, who was approximately eleven years Bering's junior and the daughter of a Swedish merchant.

At the war's conclusion in 1721, Bering was not promoted like many of his contemporaries.

The omission proved particularly embarrassing when, in 1724, Anna's younger sister Eufemia upstaged her by marrying Thomas Saunders, already a Rear-Admiral despite a much shorter period of service.

In order to save face, the 42-year-old Bering decided to retire from the navy, securing two months ' pay and a notional promotion to first captain.

Shortly after, the family – Bering, his wife Anna, and two young sons – moved out of St. Petersburg to live with Anna's family in Vyborg.

After a period of joblessness lasting five months, however, Bering ( keenly aware of his dependants ), decided to reapply to the Admiralty.

He was accepted for a renewed period of active service the same day.

By 2 October 1724, Bering ( retaining the rank of first captain he had secured earlier in the year ) was back on the sea, commanding the ninety-gun Lesnoe.

The Tsar would soon have a new command for him, however.