Semyon Dezhnev spent about forty years in the service in the Siberian lands. Historical documents store information about this brave, courageous man, who was distinguished by incorruptibility, honesty and exceptional reliability. His name is engraved on modern geographical maps, and a monument has been erected in the homeland of the explorer.
From the biography of Semyon Dezhnev
The exact date of birth of Semyon Ivanovich Dezhnev has not been established. Historians know almost nothing about his personal life. Researchers suggest that the Russian traveler was born in 1605. Veliky Ustyug is considered the birthplace of Dezhnev. It is here that a monument was erected to the pathfinder.
Semyon grew up in a simple peasant family. From an early age he was accustomed to physical labor, more than once went with his father to the trades. Dezhnev had an excellent command of weapons, knew how to fix and install fishing tackle. Over time, Semyon learned the basics of shipbuilding. Dezhnev received all his education doing various crafts.
Famous explorer Semyon Dezhnev
In 1630, recruitment of people began to serve in Siberia. To be sent to Tobolsk, 500 people were required. Veliky Ustyug became the center for recruiting free people. Among those who went on a long journey to recruit, there was Dezhnev.
In 1641, Dezhnev, as part of a large detachment, went to Oymyakon. The sovereign's people were given the task of collecting tribute from the Yakuts and Evenks. The detachment crossed the Verkhoyansk ridge and arrived at Indigirka. Here, from local residents, Semyon and his comrades heard about the full-flowing Kolyma River. It was decided to get to these new lands. The expedition was successful: moving along the Indigirka River, and then by sea, the travelers discovered the mouth of the Kolyma.
In 1647, Dezhnev was included in the expedition of the merchant Alekseev. The detachment tried to march along the coast of Chukotka. But here the explorers were in for a failure. The expedition was postponed to the next year. From Kolyma, the travelers on sailing ships reached the mouth of the Anadyr. Researchers have proven that Asia and North America are divided among themselves. But this important discovery was not known to anyone for many years: the documents were kept in the distant Yakutsk prison. Much later, Bering made the same discovery a second time.
In the Bering Strait, the explorers passed the cape, which was later recognized as the extreme northeastern point of the Asian continent. That cape was named the Big Stone Nose. On modern geographical maps, it is marked as Cape Dezhnev.
The conditions of the campaign were very difficult. About a hundred people took part in the expedition of Alekseev and Dezhnev. Many of them died. Alekseev himself soon died of scurvy. There were only two dozen people left in Dezhnev's team. With great difficulty, the detachment completed the campaign, drawing up a drawing of Anadyr and giving a detailed description of the nature of this beautiful and harsh land.
Development of new lands
In 1650, Dezhnev conceived another campaign, intending to get to Kamchatka. However, the venture failed, the expedition had to return with nothing. Two years later, Semyon discovered a very large walrus rookery; it was located not far from the mouth of the Anadyr. In those years, walrus bone was valued even more than furs.
Dezhnev served until 1660. He was engaged in food procurement, organized fishing, and successfully traded with the local population. In 1660 he was replaced in this responsible post and recalled to Moscow.
Here, with Dezhnev, a full settlement was made. The pioneer was awarded the rank of Cossack chieftain for his work for the good of the homeland and services to the state. Subsequently, Dezhnev returned to Siberia, where he continued his service, collecting yasak from indigenous peoples and delivering sable furs to Moscow. In Moscow, he died of illness at the beginning of 1673.
