 Historic Russian Shipwreck Deep Under the Ice
Posted by: Cindy on Dec 12, 2007 AD - 11:17 AM
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“There is a legend that there are several crates of vodka down there. If they are found, we’ll drink the vodka with pleasure to the memory of the Chelyuskin crew,” Iosif Rabinovich joked.
In 1933, the steamer Chelyuskin sailed from Murmansk, east bound to attempt a transit of the Northern Sea Route to the Pacific, in order to demonstrate that such a transit could be achieved in one season. The vessel became trapped in heavy ice in the Chukchi Sea, and after drifting with the ice for over two months, was crushed and sank on 13 February 1934. Apart from one fatality, her entire crew survived.
Hard to Find
Following several unsuccessful dive expeditions to this frigid location, the wreck was located on the bed of the Chukchi Sea by a Russian expedition, Chelyuskin-70, in mid-September 2006. During five dives to a depth of around 49 m divers confirmed that it was indeed a sunken ship.
Harsh Conditions
Conditions were extremely difficult with a water temperature of only 3◦C and visibility reduced to little more than arm’s length. Divers had to feel their way by touch as they explored the wreck. From the boat-deck they recovered two components of the ship: a stanchion with rings (part of the ship’s rail) and a bracket probably forming part of the lighting or ventilation system. A video was also made as the divers explored the wreck. The recovered items were sent to Copenhagen for expert identification by the ship’s builders, Burmeister and Wein...
Identity Confirmed
The two components recovered from the sunken wreck on the bed of the Chukchi Sea in September 2006 have been identified by experts as having come from the Soviet steamer Chelyuskin. They were displayed at an exhibition that opened on 13 February 2007, and was attended by the two surviving members of the complement of Chelyuskin.
Explorer Iosif Rabinovich has been on many of the formal expedition teams to find the Chelyuskin. He is still diving for treasure from the vessel. Divers have salvaged a tent and a knife belonging to the head of the expedition. They are also interested in retrieving dive gear from the ill-fated ship. At 50 meters deep the dive is a very challenging and dangerous one. To learn more, read the full story at: Russia Today
Sources: Arctic Institute of North America; Russia Today; BBC News
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