Sailing from the Kolyma River in 1648, Semyon Dezhnyov navigated the Arctic waters to reach the Anadyr River, effectively passing through the strait between Asia and North America. This voyage took place eighty years before Vitus Bering, yet the significance of the feat remained largely unacknowledged by the scientific community for over a century.
Siberian Service
Recruited for Siberian duty in 1630, Dezhnyov served in Tobolsk and Yeniseisk before arriving in Yakutia by 1639. As a member of the Cossack detachment likely led by Beketov, he participated in the early administration of the region. He spent three years collecting fur tribute from indigenous populations after settling in the area, establishing a foundation for further expansion into the eastern frontier.
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Seeking sable fur, walrus ivory, and silver, an expedition was organized in 1647 to reach the Pogycha River. Dezhnyov joined this effort, which utilized traditional koch vessels. Departing in June 1648, the fleet consisted of approximately 89 to 121 individuals. The journey proved hazardous; multiple ships were wrecked by storms or lost at sea. Dezhnyov’s vessel was eventually driven ashore south of the Anadyr, leaving the survivors to trek across unfamiliar territory for ten weeks.
Exploration and Legacy
After establishing winter quarters near Anadyrsk in 1649, Dezhnyov focused on tribute collection and mapping. He discovered a significant walrus rookery at the mouth of the Anadyr, eventually accumulating over two tons of ivory. In 1664, he returned to Moscow as a wealthy man and received the title of chieftain. His maritime route was largely abandoned in favor of more efficient overland paths discovered by other travelers.
Fast facts
- Born: 1605, Veliky Ustyug or Pinega
- Died: 1673, Moscow
- Citizenship: Tsardom of Russia
- Primary Occupation: Zemleprokhodets
- 1648 Expedition Size: 89 to 121 people
- Walrus Ivory Collected: Over 2 tons
- Tribute Transported in 1670: 47,164 rubles
Questions readers ask
Did Dezhnyov receive immediate recognition for his discovery?
No. His maritime feat was forgotten for nearly one hundred years, and Vitus Bering was traditionally credited with the discovery of the strait.
How did Dezhnyov spend his later years?
Achievements
- Recorded as explorer, zemleprokhodtsy and world traveler