Golovnin Vasily Mikhailovich

Golovnin Vasily Mikhailovich (1776-1831), Admiral. Remarkable Russian sailor twice toured the world. The first of these was accompanied by extraordinary events, during which Golovnin showed amazing courage and calmness. In 1807 the sloop "Diana" Golovnin went to geographical discoveries in the northern Pacific. On the way to the Pacific Ocean sloop "Diana" was arrested in the Bay Symons at the Cape by the British, because at this time England declared itself at war with Russia. Only a year and a half Golovnin managed to bring stormy night "Diana" in the sea under the noses of the entire British squadron and continue its path. In 1811, during an inventory of the Kuril Islands and Shantar, Golovnin was off the island of Kunashir, along with his companions treacherously captured by the Japanese and was with them in captivity for over two years. Description of this trip appeared in print in 1816, was translated into many European languages and created Golovnin wide popularity. In 1817-1819 Golovnin made another voyage round the world on the sloop "Kamchatka", during which produced an inventory of the coast of North America.