 A. Sibiryakov on a Soviet postage stamp | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Namesake | Alexander Sibiryakov |
| Owner |
|
| Operator |
|
| Port of registry |
|
| Builder | D&W Henderson,Glasgow |
| Yard number | 464 |
| Launched | 23 November 1908 |
| Completed | January 1909 |
| Acquired | 1916 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Sunk by enemy action, 24 August 1942 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type |
|
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 241.0 ft (73.5 m) |
| Beam | 35.8 ft (10.9 m) |
| Draught | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Depth | 16.9 ft (5.2 m) |
| Ice class | icebreaker |
| Installed power | 2,360 hp (1,760 kW), 347NHP |
| Propulsion | |
| Speed | 13 knots (24 km/h) |
| Crew | 104 |
| Armament |
|
Alexander Sibiryakov (RussianАлександр Сибиряков) was asteamship that was built in Scotland in 1909 asBellaventure, and was originally aseal hunting ship inNewfoundland. In 1917 the Russian government bought her to be anicebreaker. She served theRSFSR andSoviet Union until 1942, when she was sunk by enemy action. The ship gave notable service in theRussian Arctic during the 1930s.
The ship was recorded asBellaventure until at least 1920.[1] By 1927 she had been renamed[2]Александр Сибиряков. In theLatin alphabet her name was renderedAlexander Sibiriakov until at least 1935.[3] This had been changed toAlexander Sibiryakov by 1939.[4]
In 1908 A Harvey & Co ofSt John's,Newfoundland ordered a pair of ships from shipbuilders inGlasgow, Scotland.D&W Henderson Ltd builtBellaventure, launching her on 23 November 1908.[5]Napier and Miller built hersister shipBonaventure, launching her on 5 December 1908.[6] Both ships were completed in January 1909.
Bellaventure's registered length was 241.0 ft (73.5 m), her beam was 35.8 ft (10.9 m), her depth was 16.9 ft (5.2 m) and hertonnages were 1,132 GRT and 467 NRT. She had a singlescrew, driven by a three-cylindertriple expansion engine that was rated at 347NHP.[7]
Bellaventure's United Kingdomofficial number was 127684 and hercode letters were TQNL.[7] By 1914 she was equipped forwireless telegraphy. Hercall sign was VOM.[8]
On 2 April 1914Bellaventure, commanded by CaptainIsaac Randell, was off the northern coast ofNewfoundland taking part in a seal hunt. 132 hunters from another steamship,Newfoundland, had become lost in a storm on an ice floe. After 54 hoursBellaventure rescued the survivors and recovered 77 dead bodies. She sailed through the Narrows ofSt. John's, Newfoundland, with her flags at half mast.[9]
In 1917 the Russian government bought bothBellaventure andBonaventure. In 1919, in theNorth Russia intervention in theRussian Civil War,United Kingdom forces inArkhangelsk took control of both ships, andEllerman's Wilson Line was appointed to manageBellaventure.[5][6]
Eventually the two ships were renamedAlexander Sibiryakov andVladimir Rusanov, after two Russian arctic explorers.[5][6]
Alexander Sibiryakov made the first successful crossing of theNorthern Sea Route in a single navigation without wintering. This historic voyage, which had beenMikhail Lomonosov's dream, was organized by the All-Union Arctic Institute (now called theArctic and Antarctic Research Institute).
Alexander Sibiryakov sailed on 28 June 1932 from the Krasny (previously Sobornoy) docks inArkhangelsk, crossed theKara Sea and chose a northern, unexplored way aroundSevernaya Zemlya to theLaptev Sea. In September, after calling atTiksi and the mouth of theKolyma, the propeller shaft broke and the icebreaker drifted for 11 days. However,Alexander Sibiryakov crossed theChukchi Sea using improvised sails and arrived in theBering Strait in October.Alexander Sibiryakov reached the Japanese port ofYokohama after 65 days, having covered more than 2,500 miles (4,000 km) in the Arctic seas. This was regarded as a heroic feat of Soviet polar seamen and Chief of ExpeditionOtto Schmidt and CaptainVladimir Voronin were received with many honors at their return to Russia.
On 24 November 1936Alexander Sibiryakov was stranded near Cape Menshikov in theKara Sea. She was refloated on 25 December 1936 and returned to service in June 1938.[5]
In September 1941 theSoviet Navy requisitionedAlexander Sibiryakov. She was given thepennant number LD-6.[5] She continued in service, commanded by CaptainAnatoli Kacharava. She wasdefensively armed, at first with several[clarification needed] 76 mm (3 in) and 45 mm (2 in) guns. By 1942 one 4 in (102 mm) gun had been added.
On 25 August 1942 duringOperation Wunderland theKriegsmarineheavy cruiserAdmiral Scheer attacked her off the northwest shore ofRussky Island in theNordenskiöld Archipelago. Despite being heavily outgunned,Alexander Sibiryakov defended herself for an hour beforeAdmiral Scheer sank her.Alexander Sibiryakov also sent awireless telegraph signal that warned east and west bound Allied convoys of the attacks, enabling them to avoid the area.
Most members ofAlexander Sibiryakov's crew were killed either in battle or when she sank.Admiral Scheer captured 22, including severely wounded Captain Kacharava. One crewman, stoker Pavel Vavilov, managed to reach Beluha Island and was rescued by a Soviet ship 34 or 35 days later. In total only 15 crew members survived the war. Soviet sources say 79 killed, 19 taken asprisoners of war, and only 13 of them survived captivity.
When the Finnish icebreakerJääkarhu was handed over to the Soviet Union, she was renamedSibiryakov.
