September 20: Birthday of Thaddeus Bellingshausen, the explorer who discovered Antarctica
On September 20, 1778, on the island of Enzel (now Estonia) was born Thaddeus Bellingshausen — Russian navigator, one of the discoverers of Antarctica. His expedition was the first to reach the ice shelves of the sixth continent.
I was born in the middle of the sea; as a fish cannot live without water, so I cannot live without the sea
Baltic German from Kronstadt
A Baltic German, from an ancient noble family. His birth name was Fabian. He had a twin brother, Otto, who died of whooping cough at the age of eighteen months.
In 1789, he entered the Naval Cadet Corps in Kronstadt and became a midshipman. In 1797, he received his first officer's rank—midshipman.
The first Russian circumnavigation
In 1803–1806 he took part in the first Russian circumnavigation Ivan KrusensternAlmost all the maps included in the Atlas for "Captain I. F. Kruzenshtern's Voyage Around the World" were compiled and drawn by him. Upon his return, he was promoted to captain-lieutenant.
On my first voyage around the world, I noticed that some of the learned gentlemen with us did not take off their frieze clothes under the equator, and they turned out to be prone to scurvy. Such warm-dressing enthusiasts will, of course, justify themselves by citing the fact that in the warm climates of Asia, many people wear fur coats and do not suffer from scurvy; but they have been accustomed to this from childhood and spend their lives on the mainland, and not on long voyages at sea.
Thaddeus Bellingshausen and the Search for the Sixth Continent
In 1819, on Krusenstern's recommendation, he was appointed commander of the first Russian Antarctic expedition. The question of whether there is a sixth continent had long been posed. The first person to enter the Southern Ocean above 50° south latitude was James CookIn 1774, he reached 71° S, but was stopped by perennial ice. Cook wrote at the time:
I can safely say that no one will ever dare to penetrate further south than I have managed to do.
"East" and "Peace"
They set out from Kronstadt in July on two sailing ships, not very suitable for navigating ice. Bellingshausen commanded the sloop Vostok, and the Mirny. Mikhail LazarevThe preparations were carried out in a hurry, and scientific supervision was provided by only one astronomer professor. Ivan Simonov — he was also responsible for collecting plant and animal samples and wrote historiographic notes.
Officers and sailors were recruited from volunteers. The requirements were strict: no older than 35, excellent health, shipbuilding skills, and marksmanship. Everyone was generously rewarded in advance: before setting out to sea, Bellingshausen received Alexander I 5000 silver rubles, Lazarev - 3000, the rest - annual salary "not counted".
Peas, corned beef and the ban on spanking
Bellingshausen personally oversaw the supply of food: tons of dried peas, buckwheat, corned beef, crackers, sauerkraut, and nearly 4000 liters of vodka were loaded onto the Vostok. Provisions were replenished regularly. To combat scurvy, they drank malt tea and pine extract, and ate lemons. To boost morale, they occasionally cooked fresh beef and poured a mug of beer. Hygiene on the ship—airing cabins, washing and drying linens—was strictly observed.
After 6 pm, in good weather, no one is allowed to remain downstairs until 8 pm, that is, until the beds are distributed.
Bellingshausen also banned flogging—the crew had to remain united during the voyage.
Discovery of Antarctica
Six months after its launch, on January 28, 1820, the expedition reached the Antarctic ice shelf. Many historians believe it became its discoverer.
Solid ice, extremely high… It stretched as far as the eye could see
They didn't go ashore for fear of getting stuck among the icebergs. And two days later, a British navigator Edward Bransfield He approached the mountainous Trinity Island, and some historians call him the discoverer of Antarctica.
After sailing in the Pacific Ocean, making a second approach to Antarctica, discovering 29 islands and meeting penguins, the expedition returned to Kronstadt.
Admiral and Governor of Kronstadt
Bellingshausen published the results of his 751-day circumnavigation, “Two-time explorations in the Southern Arctic Ocean...” in 1831, Nicholas IBy that time, he had already fought in the Russo-Turkish War and became a vice admiral.
From 1839 – military governor of Kronstadt. From 1843 – admiral.
He died in 1852, at 73. From the last note on his desk:
Kronstadt should be planted with trees that would bloom before the fleet sails, so that the sailor gets a bit of the summer woody scent.
