Martin Spangberg
Martin Spangberg (?–1761), or Martyn Petrovich Shpanberg (Мартын Петрович Шпанберг), was a Danish naval lieutenant in Russian service who took part with his compatriot Vitus Bering in both Kamchatka expeditions as second in command. He is best known for finding a sea route to Japan and exploring the Kuril Islands (one of which, Shikotan, was renamed Shpanberg by the Russians in 1796).[citation needed]
In 1738, Spangberg was in command of the first Russian naval squadron to visit the island of Honshu in Japan. The Russians landed in a scenic area which is now part of the Rikuchu Kaigan National Park. Despite sakoku, the prevalent isolationist policy in Japan, the sailors were treated with politeness if not friendliness.[1] This was the first diplomatic encounter of the Russians with the Japanese.[1] He also made voyages in 1739 and 1742 to survey the coasts of Sakhalin, Japan and the Kuril Islands.[2] Spangberg left a brief account of this expedition.
Honours[]
Shpanberg Island in the Kurils and Shpanberg Island in the Nordenskiöld Archipelago were named after him.[citation needed]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b Barratt, Glynn (1981). Russia in Pacific Waters, 1715-1825. UBC Press. pp. 35–37. ISBN 9780774801171.
- ^ Quanchi, Max (2005). Historical Dictionary of the Discovery and Exploration of the Pacific Islands. The Scarecrow Press. p. 233. ISBN 0810853957.
| hide Authority control  | |
|---|---|
| General |
|
| National libraries | |
| Other | |
 | This Russian biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by . |
- 1761 deaths
- Explorers of the Russian Empire
- Danish explorers
- Explorers of Asia
- 18th-century Danish people
- Imperial Russian Navy personnel
- Great Northern Expedition
- Russian people of Danish descent
- Russian people stubs