Semyon Dezhnev spent about forty years serving in Siberian lands. Historical documents store information about this brave, courageous man who was distinguished by integrity, honesty and exceptional reliability. His name is printed on modern maps, and a monument is erected in the homeland of the explorer.
From the biography of Semyon Dezhnev
The exact date of birth of Semen Ivanovich Dezhnev has not been established. Historians also know almost nothing about his personal life. Researchers suggest that the Russian traveler was born in 1605. The birthplace of Dezhnyov is Great Ustyug. It is here that a monument is set to the explorer.
Semyon grew up in a simple peasant family. From an early age he was accustomed to physical labor, more than once went to the fields with his father. Dezhnev possessed excellent weapons, knew how to repair and install fishing equipment. Over time, Semyon learned the basics of shipbuilding. Dezhnev received his entire education, being engaged in various crafts.
The famous explorer Semyon Dezhnev
In 1630, a set of people began to serve in Siberia. To send to Tobolsk needed 500 people. The center of recruitment of free people was Great Ustyug. Among those who set off on a long journey, there was Dezhnev.
In 1641, Dezhnev as part of a large detachment sent to Oymyakon. The sovereign people were tasked to collect 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 river Kolyma. It was decided to get to these new lands. The expedition was successful: moving along the Indigirka River, and then by sea, travelers discovered the mouth of the Kolyma River.
In 1647, Dezhnev was included in the expedition of the merchant Alekseev. The detachment tried to walk along the coast of Chukotka. But here the explorers were waiting for failure. The expedition was postponed until next year. From Kolyma, travelers on sailing ships reached the mouth of Anadyr. Researchers have proven that Asia and North America are separated. But this important discovery for many years was not known to anyone: documents were stored in the distant Yakutsk prison. Much later, Bering made the same discovery a second time.
In the Bering Strait, explorers passed the cape, which was later recognized as the extreme northeastern point of the Asian continent. That cape was called the Big Stone Nose. On modern maps, it is plotted as Cape Dezhnev.
The conditions of the campaign were very difficult. About a hundred people took part in the expedition of Alekseev and Dezhnyov. Many of them died. Alekseev himself soon died of scurvy. Two dozens of people remained in Dezhnyov’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 region.
