A message on the topic of Russian travelers of the 19th century. Russian travelers of the 19th century. Preparation of a new expedition

Russian discoverers and travelers of the 19th century made a number of outstanding discoveries that became the property of not only Russian, but also foreign and world science. In addition, they made a significant contribution to the development of domestic knowledge and did a lot to contribute to the training of new personnel for the development of marine research.

Prerequisites

Russian discoverers and travelers of the 19th century made their discoveries largely because this century saw the need to search for new trade routes and opportunities to support Russia’s connections with other countries. At the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th centuries, our country finally strengthened its status in the international arena as a world power. Naturally, this new position expanded its geopolitical space, which required new exploration of the seas, islands and ocean coasts for the construction of ports, ships and the development of trade with foreign countries.

Russian discoverers and travelers of the 19th century emerged as talented navigators just at the same time when our country achieved access to two seas: the Baltic and the Black. And this is no coincidence. This opened up new prospects for maritime research and gave impetus to the construction and development of fleets and maritime affairs in general. Therefore, it is not surprising that already in the first decades of the century under review, Russian discoverers and travelers of the 19th century carried out a number of outstanding studies that significantly enriched Russian geographical science.

Plan for a round-the-world expedition

Such a project became possible largely thanks to the successful military actions of our country at the end of the 18th century. At this time, Russia received the opportunity to build its fleet on the Black Sea, which, of course, was supposed to stimulate maritime affairs. Russian navigators at this time were seriously thinking about creating convenient trade routes. This was further facilitated by the fact that our country owned the territory North America Alaska. It was also necessary to maintain constant contacts with her and develop economic cooperation.

I.F. At the end of the 18th century, Kruzenshtern presented a plan for a round-the-world expedition. However, he was rejected then. But just a few years later, after the accession of Alexander I, the Russian government showed interest in the presented plan. He received approval.

Preparation

I.F. Krusenstern came from a noble family. He studied at the Kronstadt Naval Corps and, as its student, took part in the war against Sweden, showing himself well then. After this, he was sent for an internship to England, where he received an excellent education. Upon returning to Russia, he presented a plan for a round-the-world expedition. Having received approval, he carefully prepared for it, purchased the best instruments and equipped the ships.

His closest assistant in this matter was his comrade Yuri Fedorovich Lisyansky. He became friends with him in the cadet corps. The friend also proved himself to be a talented naval officer during the Russian-Swedish War of 1788-1790. Soon two ships named “Neva” and “Nadezhda” were equipped. The latter was led by Count Nikolai Rezanov, who became famous thanks to the famous rock opera. The expedition set sail in 1803. Its goal was to explore and explore the possibility of opening new trade routes from Russia to China and the coast of North American territory.

Swimming

Russian sailors rounded Cape Horn and, entering the Pacific Ocean, separated. Yuri Fedorovich Lisyansky led his ship to the North American shores, where he recaptured the Russian trading city of Novo-Arkhangelsk, captured by the Indians. During this voyage he also spent the first time in the history of navigation sailing ship around South Africa.

The ship "Nadezhda" under the leadership of Kruzenshtern set off for the Sea of ​​Japan. The merit of this researcher is that he carefully examined the shores of Sakhalin Island and made significant changes to the map. The main thing was to investigate what the leadership of the Pacific Fleet had long been interested in. Kruzenshtern entered the Amur Estuary, after which, having explored the shores of Kamchatka, he returned to his homeland.

Krusenstern's contribution to science

Russian travelers significantly advanced Russian geographical science, bringing it to the world level of development. attracted the attention of the general public. After the end of the trip, both wrote books that presented the results of their research. Kruzenshtern published “A Journey Around the World,” but the atlas he published with hydrographic applications is of particular importance. He filled in many blank spots on the map and conducted valuable research on the seas and oceans. So, he studied the pressure and temperature of water, sea ​​currents, ebbs and flows.

Social activity

His further career was closely connected with the naval corps, where he was first assigned as an inspector. Subsequently, he began teaching there, and then headed it altogether. On his initiative, the Higher Officer Classes were created. Later they were transformed into the Maritime Academy. Krusenstern introduced new disciplines into the educational process. This has significantly improved the quality of maritime teaching.

In addition, he helped in organizing other expeditions, in particular, he contributed to the plans of another prominent explorer O. Kotzebue. Kruzenshtern took part in the creation of the famous Russian Geographical Society, which was destined to occupy one of the leading places not only in Russian, but also in world science. The “Atlas of the South Sea” he published was of particular importance for the development of geography.

Preparation of a new expedition

Several years after his trip, Kruzenshtern insisted on a thorough study of the southern latitudes. He proposed equipping two expeditions to the North and South Poles, two ships each. Before this, the navigator came almost close to Antarctica, but ice prevented him from going further. Then he assumed that the sixth continent either did not exist or was impossible to get to.

In 1819, the Russian leadership decided to equip a new squadron for sailing. Thaddeus Faddeevich Bellingshausen, after a number of delays, was appointed its leader. It was decided to build two ships: Mirny and Vostok. The first one was designed according to the plan of Russian scientists. It was durable and waterproof. However, the second one, built in Great Britain, was less stable, so it had to be rebuilt, rebuilt and repaired more than once. The preparation and construction was supervised by Mikhail Lazarev, who complained about such a discrepancy between the two vessels.

Journey to the South

A new expedition set off in 1819. She reached Brazil and, rounding the mainland, reached the Sandwich Islands. In January 1820, a Russian expedition discovered the sixth continent - Antarctica. During maneuvers around it, many islands were discovered and described. Among the most significant discoveries are the island of Peter I, the coast of Alexander I. Having made the necessary description of the shores, as well as sketches of animals seen on the new continent, Thaddeus Faddeevich Bellingshausen sailed back.

During the expedition, in addition to the discovery of Antarctica, other discoveries were made. For example, participants discovered that Sandwich Land is an entire archipelago. In addition, the island of South Georgia was described. Descriptions of the new continent are of particular importance. From his ship, Mikhail Lazarev had the opportunity to better observe the earth, so his conclusions are of particular value for science.

The meaning of discoveries

The expedition of 1819-1821 was of great importance for domestic and world geographical science. The discovery of a new, sixth continent changed the understanding of the geography of the Earth. Both travelers published the results of their research in two volumes with an atlas and necessary instructions. During the trip, about thirty islands were described, magnificent sketches of the views of Antarctica and its fauna were made. In addition, the expedition participants collected a unique ethnographic collection, which is stored at Kazan University.

Further activities

Bellingshausen subsequently continued his naval career. He took part in the Russian-Turkish War of 1828-1829, commanded the Baltic Fleet, and then was appointed governor of Kronstadt. An indicator of recognition of his merits is the fact that a number of geographical objects. First of all, the sea in the Pacific Ocean should be mentioned.

Lazarev also distinguished himself after his famous journey to Antarctica. He was appointed commander of an expedition to protect the shores of Russian America from smugglers, which he successfully accomplished. Subsequently commanded Black Sea Fleet, participated in for which he received several awards. So, the great discoverers from Russia also made their outstanding contribution to the development of geography.

Thanks to them on the map Pacific Ocean Russian names appeared, Persia was studied, and Ethiopia remained an independent country - one of the few in Africa at that time...

We continue to publish stories about Russian pioneers who did a lot for the world, but were undeservedly forgotten by their contemporaries and descendants. The first part is , the second part is . In the 19th century, travel, even around the world, became relatively comfortable, but there were still many blank spots on the world map, and our heroes, each in their own way, expanded its geographical boundaries.

Otto Kotzebue. 399 islands in the Pacific Ocean. 1815-1818

During his life, Otto Kotzebue made three trips around the world. The first is at the age of 15. As a cabin boy, he took part in the first Russian circumnavigation of the world (1803-1806) on the sloop Nadezhda under the command of Kruzenshtern. The third - in 1823-1826 as captain of the sloop "Enterprise".

One day, when Pashino noticed that he was suspected, he exchanged clothes with his servant-guide and remained in only a turban and a loincloth. He also smeared himself with donkey droppings to give his skin a dark color.

But the most significant in his biography was the command of the brig "Rurik", which committed trip around the world in 1815-1818. The purpose of this expedition was to find the northern passage from the Pacific to Atlantic Ocean. During a storm off Cape Horn, Kotzebue was almost washed overboard. He miraculously managed to grab onto the stretched rope. And during a storm in the Pacific Ocean, the ship’s bowsprit broke, which injured several sailors and Kotzebue himself. Because of this, the final goal of the expedition was not achieved. But its results were still brilliant. It was thanks to Kotzebue that Russian names appeared on the map of the Pacific Ocean: the atolls of Rumyantsev, Kruzenshtern, Kutuzov, Suvorov and many others.

Egor Kovalevsky. Heroic adventures in Montenegro, Central Asia and China, discoveries in Central Africa. Mid-19th century

Egor Kovalevsky is a figure, although not known to the general public, but professional geographers and travelers, of course, are well aware of him and his services to science. To even briefly mention all his adventures would require several pages of such text.

He took part in the defense of Sevastopol, fought illegally on the side of the Serbs against the Austrians in Montenegro, opened a new route to China, visited Kashmir and Afghanistan, was captured during the Khiva campaign of the Russian army, escaped and defended himself for several weeks with a handful of soldiers in a small fortress from pursuers... He mined gold in Africa, was the first European to reach the Moon Mountains - Rwenzori (in the territory of modern Uganda), crossed the Nubian Desert, discovered the left tributary of the Nile, the Abudom River, and indicated where to look for the source of the White Nile... “We penetrate further than others inside Africa,” he wrote in his diary.

Kovalevsky was a talented writer, wrote both poetry and prose, but he went down in history as the author of four books about his adventures.

All of Russia read his books, and at the official level he was also highly appreciated. In 1856, Kovalevsky became assistant to the chairman of the Imperial Geographical Society, as well as an honorary member of the Imperial St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences.

Alexander Kashevarov. He was the first to describe the northern coast of Alaska. 1838

The very place of birth of Alexander Kashevarov makes the heart of any traveler tremble. After all, he was born in Alaska! In 1810, when she was still Russian. After studying at the Kronstadt Navigation School, he made two trips around the world as a navigator, and then returned to his small homeland and, at the head of a small group of sailors, made one of the most amazing voyages in the history of the exploration of the North. On leather Aleutian kayaks sewn with whalebone, the travelers walked among floating ice along north coast Alaska from Cape Lisburn to Cape Wrangel, which they discovered, marking the Prokofiev and Kupriyanov bays, the Menshikov coast and Cape Stepovoy on the map of Alaska.

Peter Pashino. The first of the Europeans to penetrate into remote areas of India and Afghanistan. 1873-1876

25-year-old journalist Pyotr Pashino made his first trip to Persia in 1861 as secretary of the Russian embassy. But he soon got bored with paperwork, he took an indefinite leave and went to independent travel across Persia and then through Central Asia.

In 1873-1876 he made two trips alone to India, Burma and Afghanistan. Pashino usually traveled in Arabic or Indian clothes, with a shaved head, posing as a Turkish doctor, a wandering dervish, and sometimes as a beggar tramp. He knew many oriental languages ​​perfectly. This allowed him to visit places where non-Muslims were prohibited from entering on pain of death. But despite all the precautions and tricks, he more than once found himself on the brink of exposure and death. One day, when Pashino noticed that he was suspected, he exchanged clothes with his servant-guide and remained in only a turban and a loincloth. He also smeared himself with donkey dung to give his skin a dark color. And when one day, dressed as a dervish, he went into the first-class cafeteria to drink tea, he was beaten almost to death by a policeman.

Returning to St. Petersburg, Pyotr Pashino described his adventures in numerous essays and feuilletons. Later they were collected into books.

Pashino also made a trip around the world, but it was quite civilized and comfortable, so it was not of particular scientific value.

Alexander Bulatovich. African pioneer, Ethiopian explorer. 1896-1899

In 1896, the 26-year-old cornet of the Life Guards Hussar Regiment, Alexander Bulatovich, was included in the Russian Red Cross mission to Ethiopia, where he became a military adviser to Emperor Menelik II. With his help, the emperor reorganized his army to resist the European colonialists. As a result, Ethiopia became one of the few African countries that retained its independence.

With the permission of the emperor, Bulatovich made several trips to the internal parts of this country, where no European had ever been before. Accompanied by just three companions, he crossed the bandit-infested Danakil Desert on camels, then became the first white man to cross the remote province of Ethiopia, the legendary Caffa, from where the best coffee was delivered to Europe. He mapped the Baro River valley on the world map and discovered a mountain range named in honor of Nicholas II, which was later renamed at the request of the Soviet Union.

Bulatovich became a military adviser to Emperor Menelik II. With his help, the emperor reorganized his army to resist the European colonialists. As a result, Ethiopia became one of the few African countries that retained its independence.

Detailed reports about these expeditions were published in St. Petersburg: “From Entoto to the Baro River. Reports on travel in the Southwestern region of the Ethiopian Empire" (1897) and "Diary of a campaign from Ethiopia to Lake Rudolf" (1900), in which he described not only his geographical discoveries, but also Ethiopian culture and faith, close to the Orthodox, laws , customs, structure of the army and state, made a detailed outline of the history of Ethiopia. For his research, Bulatovich received a silver medal from the Russian Geographical Society. His books inspired many new explorers of Africa to undertake expeditions, in particular the poet Nikolai Gumilyov. Already in our time, Bulatovich’s adventures were described by Valentin Pikul in the story “Hussar on a Camel.”

In 1906, Bulatovich retired and went to Athos Monastery in Greece and became a monk, but during the First World War he returned to the army as a regimental chaplain. He was in Austrian captivity, escaped... In 1919 he was killed by robbers on his estate near Sumy.

The work of the famous French writer Jules Verne (1828-1905) - “The History of Great Travels” - is dedicated to the history geographical discoveries from ancient times to the early forties of the 19th century.

Book three – “Travelers of the 19th Century.” This book includes descriptions of the travels of Krusenstern, Kotzebue, Litke, Dumont d'Urville, Bellingshausen, Parry, Franklin and other outstanding explorers. In addition, Jules Verne covers the history of lesser-known expeditions.

PART I

Chapter first. At the dawn of the century of discovery

I

Decrease in the number of geographical discoveries during the Napoleonic wars. – Seetzen's travels in Syria and Palestine. – Hauran and the journey around Dead Sea. - Decapolis. – Travel through Arabia. – Burckhardt in Syria. – Travels to Nubia along the banks of the Nile. – Pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. - The British in India. - Webb at the Sources of the Ganges. – Description of the trip to Punjab. - Christie and Pottinger in Sindh. – Travel of the same researchers through Balochistan and Persia. - Elphinstone in Afghanistan. – Moorcroft and Hersey's trip to Lake Manasarovar. - Hodgson at the Sources of the Ganges. – Persia according to the descriptions of Gardan, Hell. Dupre, Morier, MacDonald Kinnear, Price and Ouseley. – Güldenstedt and Klaproth in the Caucasus. – Lewis and Clark in the Rocky Mountains. – Raffles in Sumatra and Java.

At the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, the number of great geographical discoveries noticeably decreased.

We know that the French Republic organized an expedition to search for La Perouse and sent Captain Boden on a voyage to the shores of Australia, which yielded important results. This was the extent of the manifestation of interest in geography that, amid raging passions and wars, the government could allow itself.

Later in Egypt, Bonaparte surrounds himself with a whole staff of outstanding scientists and artists. It was then that materials were collected for a magnificent work, which for the first time gave a correct, although incomplete, idea of ancient civilization in the Land of the Pharaohs. However, when Napoleon finally emerged in Bonaparte, the egoistic ruler, subordinating everything to his disgusting passion for war, no longer wanted to hear about research, travel and discoveries. After all, they would take both his money and people. And he himself spent both in such quantities that he could not afford such useless extravagance. That's why he ceded the last remnants of French colonial possessions in America to the United States for just a few million.

Fortunately, there were peoples in the world who were not subject to his iron hand. Although these countries waged a constant struggle with France, there were people in them who, of their own free will, increased geographical knowledge, created archeology on a truly scientific foundation, and began the first linguistic and ethnographic research.

In France, the learned geographer Maltbrun, in an article he published in 1817 in the first issue of the journal “Nouvelles Annales des Voyages” (“New Annals of Travel”), painstakingly and extremely accurately depicts the state of geographical science at the beginning of the 19th century and lists its further tasks. He especially dwells on the successes achieved in the fields of navigation, astronomy and linguistics. Among the British, the East India Company not only does not hide its discoveries, as the Hudson's Bay Company did for fear of competition, but creates scientific societies, publishes travel journals and encourages travelers. Even war contributes to science; we have already said that the French army was collecting materials for a huge scientific work in Egypt. Soon the impulse of noble competition covers all nations.

At the beginning of the 19th century, one country took first place in the number of great geographical discoveries. This country is Germany. German researchers are so diligent, their will is so persistent, and their instinct is so true that subsequent travelers can only check and supplement their discoveries.

The first in time was Ulrich Jasper Seetzen. He was born in 1767 in East Friesland, graduated from the University of Göttingen and published several works on statistics and the natural sciences, for which he had a natural inclination. These articles brought him to the attention of the government.

Seetzen's dream - as Burckhardt's later - was to travel to Central Africa. But first he wanted to explore Palestine and Syria, countries to which the Palestine Society, founded in London in 1805, later attracted general attention. Seetzen collected more letters of recommendation and in 1802 he went to Constantinople.

Although many pilgrims and travelers flocked to the Holy Land and Syria, information about these countries was extremely vague. Issues of physical geography have not been studied sufficiently fully. The information collected was scanty, and some areas, such as Lebanon and the Dead Sea, had not yet been explored at all. A comparative geographical study of these countries has not actually begun. To lay its foundations, it took the zealous work of the English “Palestine Society” and the scientific experience of many travelers. But Seetzen, who had diversified knowledge, turned out to be perfectly prepared for the exploration of this country, which so far, no matter how many people visited it, remained in fact unknown.

Seetzen crossed all of Anatolia and arrived in Aleppo in May 1804. There he lived for almost a year, engaged in practical study of the Arabic language, making extracts from the works of eastern geographers and historians and clarifying the astronomical position of Aleppo. In addition, he carried out natural history research, collected ancient manuscripts and translated many folk songs and legends, which are important for a close acquaintance with the life of the people.

In April 1805, Seetzen left Aleppo for Damascus. First he had to cross the Hauran and Jolan districts, located to the southeast of this city. Before him, no traveler had ever visited these two provinces, which played a rather important role in the history of the Jews during Roman rule and were then called Auranitis and Gaulonitis. Seetzen was the first to give us their geographical description.

The brave traveler also explored Lebanon and Baalbek. From Damascus he headed south, reaching Judea and exploring the eastern part of Hermon, Jordan and the Dead Sea. Tribes that were well known in Jewish history once lived here - the Ammonites, Moabites, Galadites, Bataneans and others. South part the country during the era of Roman rule was called Perea, and it was there that the famous Decapolis, that is, the “Union of Ten Cities,” was located. In modern times, not a single traveler visited Perea. For Seetzen, this circumstance was the reason to begin his research from there.

These scientists and researchers are fanatical people. When you read about what they had to endure and experience on distant geographical expeditions, you wonder why they needed it? Part of the answer probably still applies to these people themselves, like Fedor Konyukhov - it’s in their blood. And the other part, of course, is serving the Motherland, the Fatherland, the country. I think they fully understood that they were increasing the greatness, wealth and prosperity of their state. If it weren’t for them, a citizen of another country would have done this and the maps of the World would probably have looked different.

Here are some things you might not know...

The 18th century was marked in Russian geographical history primarily by the Great Northern Expedition. Started in December 1724 by personal decree of Peter I (the First Kamchatka Expedition of Vitus Bering), it continued in 1733-1743, already under Anna Ioannovna. The expedition consisted of seven independent missions moving along the Arctic coast of Siberia to the shores of North America and Japan. The result of this large-scale project was the publication of the first complete geographical map Russian Empire.

Vasily Pronchishchev. Great Northern Expedition. 1735-1736

One of the participants of the Great Northern Expedition. A legendary figure among Russian polar explorers. Legendary and romantic. Midshipman. He studied at the Maritime Academy together with Semyon Chelyuskin and Khariton Laptev, who also participated in this expedition under his leadership. And earlier, in 1722, he took part in Peter’s Persian campaign. And in appearance, by the way, he was very similar to the emperor.

His wife Tatyana took part in the expedition with him. For that time it was so incredible that her presence on the ship was unofficial

During the Great Northern Expedition, Pronchishchev’s detachment, consisting of 50 people, leaving Yakutsk in June 1735 on the sailing-rowing boat “Yakutsk”, compiled an accurate map of the channel and mouth of the Lena River, a map of the coast of the Laptev Sea and discovered many islands lying north of the Taimyr Peninsula. In addition, Pronchishchev’s group advanced north much further than other detachments: to 77° 29′ N. w.

But Pronchishchev also entered the history of Arctic exploration thanks to his romantic story. His wife Tatyana took part in the expedition with him. For that time it was so incredible that her presence on the ship was unofficial. In August 1736, during one of the forays to the polar islands, Pronchishchev broke his leg and soon died from complications caused by an open fracture. His wife survived him by only a few days. They say she died of grief. They were buried in the same grave at Cape Tumul near the mouth of the Olenyok River (today the village of Ust-Olenyok is located here).

Navigator Semyon Chelyuskin became the new head of the detachment, and after he went with the sled train to Yakutsk with expedition reports, he was replaced by Khariton Laptev. Surprisingly, the names of Chelyuskin and Laptev were reflected much more clearly in the public consciousness than the name of their commander Pronchishchev. True, in the spring of 2018 the film “The First” will be released, which tells about the fate of the Pronchishchevs. The role of Vasily will be played by Evgeny Tkachuk (Grigory Melekhov in “Quiet Don” and Mishka Yaponchik in the series of the same name). Perhaps the name of Pronchishchev will yet take its rightful place among other great Arctic explorers.

Fedor Soimonov. Map of the Caspian Sea. 1731

This man's life just begs to be shown on the silver screen. He, like Pronchishchev, participated in the Persian campaign of Peter I. He was also a midshipman. But fate connected him not with the Arctic, but with the Caspian Sea. Fyodor Soimonov went down in Russian history as the first Russian hydrographer.

Strange as it may seem, the length and breadth of the Caspian Sea that we know today was still a complete terra incognita in the 18th century. Yes, since ancient times, dashing Volga people - ushkuiniki - walked along it to Persia for princesses, to throw them overboard into the oncoming wave, and other other goods. It was called “going for zipuns.” But all this was a complete amateur performance. Fyodor Soimonov was the first to put the Caspian Sea with all its bays, shoals and peninsulas on the map of the Russian Empire.

In Nerchinsk and Irkutsk, Soimonov organized the first navigation schools in Siberia, where he taught personally. Then for six years he was governor of Siberia

Also, under his leadership, the first detailed atlas was published Baltic Sea and an atlas prepared for publication White Sea, but here things start to get weird. Of course, this was connected with behind-the-scenes political games. In 1740, Soimonov was stripped of all ranks, whipped (!) and sent to hard labor. Two years later, Elizabeth I returned him to service, but left him in Siberia. In Nerchinsk and Irkutsk, Soimonov organized the first navigation schools in Siberia, where he taught personally. Then for six years he was governor of Siberia. At the age of 70, he was finally allowed to return to Moscow. He died at the age of 88 on his estate near Serpukhov.

Interesting fact. Soimonovsky Proezd in Moscow, not far from the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, is named in honor of Soimonov’s son, Mikhail, a remarkable personality in his own way, one of the organizers of mining in Russia.

Savva Loshkin. New Earth. Mid-18th century

G. A. Travnikov. Russian North

If our previous two heroes were the sovereign's people and made their travels on duty, then the Pomor Savva Loshkin, a native of the village of Olonets, acted only at his own peril and risk. He was the first person in the history of the development of the Russian North who walked around New Earth from North.

Loshkin is an almost mythological personality, but anyone who respects himself northern sailor knows his name despite the fact that the only official source telling about his three-year journey is the story of Fedot Rachmanin, recorded in 1788 by corresponding member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences Vasily Krestinin. Even the years of Savva Loshkin’s journey are not known to us for sure. Some researchers believe that this is the early 1760s, others - that it is the 1740s

Nikolai Chelobitchikov. Malacca, Canton. 1760-1768.

While some were exploring the North, others were moving south. Merchant Nikolai Chelobitchikov from the city of Trubchevsk Oryol province in 1760-1768 he made a completely unique journey through South-East Asia, which, alas, remained unappreciated by his contemporaries. Most likely, he was the first Russian to visit the Malay Peninsula and reach Chinese Canton (now Guangzhou) by sea, rather than by land.

The merchant Chelobitchikov made his journey for a completely practical purpose and, it seems, did not attach any historical significance to it. He contracted for 300 rubles. go to Calcutta and collect a four-thousand-dollar debt from a Greek merchant stuck there

The merchant Chelobitchikov (although it would be more correct to call him a collector) made his journey for a completely practical purpose and, it seems, did not attach any historical significance to it. He contracted for 300 rubles. go to Calcutta and collect a four-thousand-dollar debt from a Greek merchant stuck there, who owed this amount to his fellow countrymen. Passing through Constantinople, Baghdad and Indian Ocean, he reached Calcutta. But it turned out that the debtor had already died, and Chelobitchikov had to return to his homeland in an incredibly roundabout way: through Malacca, which was owned by the Dutch at that time, the Chinese Canton and the English island of St. Helena (!) to London, and then to Lisbon and Paris. And finally, to St. Petersburg, where I visited for the first time in my life.

This amazing journey of the Trubchev merchant became known relatively recently, when a petition was discovered in the Central State Archive, which he sent in 1770 to Catherine II, asking for his transfer to the St. Petersburg merchants. In it he described his route in sufficient detail. It is surprising that his report is absolutely devoid of any pathos. He describes his nine-year journey quite sparingly, like some kind of country walk. And he offers himself as a consultant on trade with eastern countries.

Philip Efremov. Bukhara - Tibet - Kashmir - India. 1774-1782

The further fate of Chelobitchikov remains unclear (most likely, his message never reached the Empress), but a service man, non-commissioned officer Philip Efremov, who made a similar journey a decade later, was introduced to Catherine II and was even elevated to the dignity of nobility by her.

The adventures of Philip Efremov began in July 1774, when he was captured by the Pugachevites. He escaped, but was captured by the Kirghiz, who sold him into slavery to the Bukhara emir

The adventures of Philip Efremov began in July 1774, when he was captured by the Pugachevites. He escaped, but was captured by the Kirghiz, who sold him into slavery to the Bukhara emir. Efremov was forced to convert to Islam and subjected to severe torture, but he did not betray the Christian faith, and then the emir, admiring his courage, made him his centurion (yuz-bashi). For participating in several battles, he received a large plot of land, but still dreamed of returning to his homeland. Having bought a fake passport, he fled again. All roads to the north were blocked, so he went south. Through Tibet and Kashmir, closed to Europeans, he came to India, and from there to London, where he met the Russian consul, who introduced him directly to the clear eyes of Catherine.

Later, Efremov served as a translator in the Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in 1786 the first edition of his travel diary was published: “Russian non-commissioned officer Efremov, now a collegiate assessor, nine-year wandering and adventures in Bukharia, Khiva, Persia and India and return from there through England to Russia, written by himself." At the end of the 18th century, the book became a bestseller and went through three editions, but by the middle of the 19th century it was almost forgotten, like its author. Nowadays, the notebook, which Efremov traveled halfway around the world, is kept in the manuscript department of the Pushkin House.

P.S. Soon many other travelers followed in the footsteps of Chelobitchikov and Efremov. The most famous of them are Gerasim Lebedev, the first Russian Indologist, who founded India's first European-style drama theater in Calcutta in the 1790s, the Armenian merchants Grigory and Danil Atanasov, and the Georgian nobleman Rafail Danibegashvili.

Dmitry Rzhannikov

And let's remember and, well, a little

In the 19th century, Russian explorers made a number of outstanding geographical discoveries. In 1803 I. Kruzenshtern on the Nadezhda and Neva completed the 1st Russian round-the-world expedition, exploring the northern part of the Pacific Ocean, Sakhalin, Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands. Yu. Lisyanakiy on the Neva opened one of Hawaiian Islands. In 1819-21 F. Bellingshausen and M. Lazarev on the sloops “Vostok” and “Mirny” made the 2nd Arctic expedition. During its 16.1.1820 ships approached Antarctica, which Bellingshausen called the “ice continent.” After resting in Australia, the expedition moved to the tropical part of the Pacific Ocean and discovered islands in the Tuamotu archipelago. They were named in honor of Kutuzov, Lazarev, Raevsky, Barclay de Tolly, Ermolov and others. After resting in Sydney, the ships returned to Antarctica and discovered about. Peter I and the land of Alexander I. In July 1821, the ships returned to Kronstadt, bringing great amount materials and collections. The development of Russian America is associated with the name of A. Baranov. A merchant from Kargopol had been trading in Alaska since 1790. He amounted to detailed maps Alaska and nearby islands. In 1799 Baranov became the ruler of the colonies in America. In 1804 He founded Novoarkhangelsk. Baranov tried to annex Hawaii to Russia, but failed. Despite his illness, he remained at his post until his death. The territory of the Far East remained a blank spot on the Russian map. In 1848, Nicholas 1 sent the expedition of G. Nevelskoy to the Far East. He proved that Sakhalin is an island and explored the lower reaches of the Amur. E. Putyatin during the round-the-world expedition of 1822-25. discovered the Rimsky-Korsakov Islands and concluded an agreement with Japan. Expeditions around the world were made by V. Golovin-1807-11, F. Litke-1826-29 and compiled 50 cards. I. Voznesensky described Alaska, the Aleutian and Kuril Islands in 1839-40. In 1809 A. Kolodkin began studying the Caspian Sea. In 1848, E. Hoffman and M. Kowalski explored the North. Ural. In 1845, the Russian Geographical Society was created.