To the History of the Discovery and Study of the New Siberian Islands: Expedition of M.M. Gedenstrom 1809-1810

Abstract

This article is devoted to a little-studied aspect of the history of Russian exploration of the North - one of the first Arctic expeditions of Russians at the beginning of the 19th century. The appeal to the historical experience of the discovery and study of the New Siberian Islands archipelago is determined by the growing interest in it on the part of world powers in connection with the development of coastal shelf resources that began here and the resumption of work on the Northern Sea Route. In Russian historiography the name M.M. Gedenshtrom for a long time remained a figure of silence in comparison with such researchers as F.P. Wrangel, P.F. Anjou, G.A. Sarychev, E.V. Toll, who studied this region of the Arctic. At the same time, the expedition of M.M. Gedenshtrom is marked not only by its connection with the specific tasks of Russian foreign policy and attempts to solve scientific problems that were pressing for that time, but also with the interests of developing business activity on the islands, the depths of which are still rich in valuable mineral raw materials. MM. Gedenshtrom was the first to create a general map of the New Siberian Islands, describe them, describe the coast between the mouths of the Yana and Kolyma rivers, and correct inaccuracies on previously compiled maps.