Chichagov Vasily Yakovlevich 
(28.02(11.03).1726–04(16).04.1809)

An outstanding figure of the Russian fleet, a researcher of the North. 
Born into a poor family near Kostroma. He received first home education and education, then he graduated from the Navigatsky school in Moscow, continued his studies at the Maritime College in England. 
Chichagov began naval service in 1742 as a midshipman and passed all junior officer ranks in the Baltic Fleet, distinguished himself in the Seven Years' War, carrying out responsible missions. 
In 1764, Chichagov, with the rank of captain of a brigadier rank, was appointed head of a secret polar expedition that planned to pass through the Arctic Ocean to the Aleutian Islands between Greenland and Spitsbergen. Under the command of Chichagov were three ships, named after the names of their commanders: "Chichagov", "Panov" and "Babayev". The vessels had double outer skin, were equipped with the latest navigation equipment developed by M.V. Lomonosov and made in the workshop of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. 
The expedition left Arkhangelsk to Kola, where it wintered. The following year, we went to the main voyage, but were able to reach only 80°26' northwest of Svalbard, breaking the record of free navigation to the north, owned by G. Hudson. Because of the continuous heavy ices, the expedition was forced to return to Arkhangelsk, having spent at sea for three months. 
In 1766, Chichagov repeated the attempt, but also without success, blocking his last year’s achievement by 4°. Now it is obvious that there could be no other outcome of sailing on wooden sailing ships. Chichagov can be credited with the fact that the expedition passed without loss. Not having solved its main task, it nevertheless was of great scientific importance: the study of high-latitude regions of the Arctic Ocean and Spitsbergen was carried out for the first time, hydrographic and meteorological observations were made, and general drift of ice from east to west was confirmed. For the most difficult sailing of all the participants, they awarded the annual salary, the navigators beyond this production to the next rank, the captains of the ships and their assistants with life pensions from half the salary salary. 
Having become in 1768 the chief commander of the port of Arkhangelsk, Chichagov fought against abuses among officials and sailors. After the start of the Russian-Turkish war of 1768–1774. he tried to increase the capacity of shipyards by proposing to lay 6 ships instead of 4 at once. The ships built by the Archangelsk towns went to the Baltic. In 1770, Chichagov’s rear admirals were called there. He trained the crews for the ships of the Baltic Fleet, in 1772 one of the trained squadrons spent no losses on the Mediterranean Sea. 
Returning, Chichagov became the chief commander of Revelsk first, then Kronstadt port. Thanks to his efforts, the last squadron that had gone to the Mediterranean Sea successfully reached its goal. 
Rear Admiral Chichagov received his baptism of fire as a flagship in the spring of 1774 on the Black Sea. The squadron of the Azov flotilla under his command fought with the Turkish fleet at the entrance to the Kerch Strait, not letting the enemy into the Sea of Azov. 
In 1775, Chichagov became a member of the Admiralty Board, in 1782 he was promoted to admiral, commanded a squadron, and in 1788 again headed the command of the Revel port. 
In 1789, after the sudden death of Admiral Greig Chichagov was appointed commander of the Baltic Fleet in a war with the Swedes. Under his command, three brilliant victories were won over a stronger enemy fleet - near the island of Åland, on the Revel raid and near Vyborg. For the battle of Revel, Chichagov was awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. After Vyborg, he became the first sailor to be awarded the Order of St. George of 1 degree. In the award list, he said: “In All Gracious Respect for his excellent services, when he led the naval forces in the Baltic Sea, after defeating the enemy at Revel, he kept the naval and galley fleets in the Vyborg gulf under blockade, he finally won the famous victory with the extermination and capture of many enemy ships, frigates and other ships".  The Empress bestowed upon him estates in Belarus. This was, however, belated, but worthy of recognition. 
In subsequent years, Chichagov was not able to command in battles, because in the Baltic the Russian fleet had no rivals left. One movement of the squadrons that they took to the sea was so impressive that no one dared to oppose them. 
In 1797, Chichagov resigned. He died in St. Petersburg and was buried at the Lazarevsky cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Monastery. 
Islands off the northwest coast of the island of Karl Alexander in the archipelago of Franz Josef Land. Named in the 1950s by Soviet cartographers. 
Mountain on EdgeIsland, Svalbard. Coordinates 78º 15'N   22º 15'E.