Expeditions of D. Kotelnikov and V. Sapozhnikov in the Ob Bay (1919)

The organization and research activities of Kotelnikov's Northern expedition to the gulf of Ob-Taz as well as those of the expedition of the Siberian Research Institute headed by Professor V. Sapozhnikov are reconstructed in the article on the basis of archive materials, documentary publications and periodicals. The Government of Kolchak was known to be activity seeking supply channels through which foreign powers might render them military and economic aid. To this end, the Committee of the Northern Sea Route was established in April 1919. The maim purpose of the committee was organization and regulation of export of Siberian raw materials and manufactured goods, import of foreign goods by the Northern Sea Route as well as looking out measures of improving the route. The Siberian Research Institute established in Tomsk in 1919 was also interested in the study of the region. The researchers of the Institute were granted an opportunity of organizing an expedition to the northern regions to do the botanical, geographical and magnetic survey of the region adjacent to the Ob Bay. During the Northern Expedition D. Kotelnikov managed to make land marking and erect navigation signs on both banks of the gulf of Ob-Taz from the bar of the Ob River to White Island as well as collect materials for sailing directions and sailing management in these regions. One of the aims of the expedition was to meet ships from Arkhangelsk delivering valuable "military cargo" such as officers, engineers, mechanics, agriculturists the Government of Kolchak was in need of. V. Sapozhnikov's expeditions succeeded in carrying out the study of meadow species composition in the lower reaches of the Ob and Irtysh region; exploring tundra vegetation as far as latitude N 70°; obtaining information concerning husbandry and agriculture development on the territory from Samarovo to Obdorsk; gathering a rich botanical collection, zoological and tundra soil samples. Besides they clarified the topographical data of the Taz Bay and made recommendations regarding the possibility of building a port in the Nakhodka Bay. One of the researchers of the Institute, S. Shubin, did magnetic research. It is emphasized that D. Kotelnikov's and V. Sapozhnikov's expeditions to the Ob Bay during the Civil War made a notable contribution to the study of Northern Siberia. Intensive research and economic development of the region continued in the soviet period.

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