Pyotr Krenitsyn facts for kids

Pyotr Kuzmich Krenitsyn (Russian: Пётр Кузьмич Креницын) was a Russian explorer and a Captain/Lieutenant in the Imperial Russian Navy. He was born in 1728 and passed away on July 4, 1770. In the United States, his name is sometimes spelled "Krenitzin."

Krenitsyn was the first explorer to lead a big trip to Alaska and the Aleutian Islands after Vitus Bering's journey in 1741. Russian Empress Catherine II sent Krenitsyn and Mikhail Levashev to explore the northern parts of the Pacific Ocean. They were especially interested in the area around the Bering Strait. They sailed with four ships. Krenitsyn was the commander of the ship St. Catherine, and Levashev commanded the ship St. Paul.

Exploring the Aleutians

Krenitsyn and Levashev began their exploration by mapping the eastern part of the Aleutian island chain. They continued their work until the cold winter weather arrived. Krenitsyn's ship spent the winter in the narrow water passage between Unimak and the Alaska Peninsula.

The next year, they started their mapping work again. Both ships then spent the following winter in Kamchatka.

Naming Islands

Krenitsyn helped name several places on the Alaskan coast. Islands like Avatanak, Akutan, and Tigalda Island were named by him. These names appeared on the maps that were published after his expeditions.

Later Life and Legacy

On July 4, 1770, Pyotr Krenitsyn drowned in the Kamchatka River. After his death, Mikhail Levashev took over as the leader of the Russian expedition fleet.

Two important places were later named after Pyotr Krenitsyn. The Krenitzin Islands in Alaska were named in his honor. Also, the highest volcano on Onekotan Island was named after this early Russian explorer by IRN Captain Mikhail Tebenkov.

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