Gavril Sarychev facts for kids

Gavril (also Gavriil) Andreyevich Sarychev (1763 – 11 August 1831) was a famous Russian navigator, mapmaker, and admiral. In the United States, his name is sometimes spelled "Sarichef." He was also an important member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

A Life of Exploration

Sarychev began his naval career very young, at just eight years old! He joined the Imperial Russian Navy in 1781.

From 1785 to 1794, he joined a big expedition. This journey was supported by Empress Catherine II and led by a British officer named Joseph Billings. Sarychev sailed on a ship called Slava Rossii, which means "Glory of Russia."

During this expedition, he helped describe and map many important places. He mapped the coastline of the Sea of Okhotsk, from Okhotsk to Aldoma. He also mapped many of the Aleutian Islands, especially Unalaska. Other islands he described include Pribylov, St. Matthew, St. Lawrence, Diomede, and King Island.

Leading Hydrographic Work

Later, from 1802 to 1806, Sarychev led a special expedition to map the Baltic Sea. He became the main person in charge of mapping Russia's waters starting in 1808.

He also led the creation of a very important book of maps called the Atlas of the Northern Part of the Pacific Ocean in 1826. This atlas included detailed drawings based on sketches by an artist named Luka Voronin.

Sarychev was promoted many times. He became a Vice Admiral in 1808 and an Admiral in 1830. He also became a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1809. For a short time, he even served as a minister for the navy. He passed away in 1831 during a major health outbreak.

His Lasting Legacy

Many places in Alaska are named after Gavril Sarychev. These include Cape Sarichef, Sarychev Peak, Sarychev Range, Sarichef Strait, and Sarichef Island. These places were named by another explorer, Lt. Otto von Kotzebue. Sarychev was the Hydrographer General of the Russian Imperial Hydrographic Service from 1827 to 1831.

A Soviet ship, the Gavril Sarychev, was also named in his honor.

His Published Works

• Puteshestvie Flota Kapitana Sarycheva po severovostochnoi chasti Sibiri, Ledovitnomu moriu i Vostochnomu okeanu (1802) - This book included 51 detailed pictures.
• Atlas Svernoy chastii Vostochnogo Okeana... (Atlas of the Northern Part of the Pacific Ocean). This collection of maps was put together in 1826 under his direction.
• ‘Account of a voyage of discovery to the north-east of Siberia, the frozen ocean, and the north-east sea.’

See also

• Russian Hydrographic Service