Kolyuchin Island

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kolyuchin Island or Koliuchin Island (Russian: Остров Колючин) is a small island in the Chukchi Sea. It is not far from the coast, being only 11 Km away from the northern shore of the Chukotka Peninsula. Its latitude is 67° 28' N and its longitude 174° 37' E.

This island is only 4.5 Km in length and its maximum width is 1.5 Km. It is covered with tundra vegetation and there is a small Chukchi settlement on the southern end of the island called Koliuchino.

[edit] History

In September 1933 Soviet ice-breaker Cheliuskin got crushed by pack ice near Kolyuchin Island. The passengers and crew were rescued by air in a dramatic and much publicised operation which made heroes of Captain Vladimir Voronin and expedition leader Otto Schmidt.

[edit] References

  • Armstrong, T., The Russians in the Arctic, London, 1958.
  • Early Soviet Exploration: [1]
  • History of Russian Arctic Exploration: [2]
  • Pictures of animals in Kolyuchin Island: [3]

[edit] See also

Coordinates: 67°28′N 174°37′E / 67.467, 174.617