Kurochkin Andrei Mikhailovich 
(1770– 04.12.1842)

Russian shipmaster. 
Born in the Novgorod province in the family of an artillery officer. Since childhood, he had an amazing memory, a desire for knowledge, abilities, especially drawing. 
In 1779 the family moved to St. Petersburg, where the boy was enlisted as gunner of the first article in the naval artillery. Considering Kurochkin's interest in shipbuilding, his father identified him as a second-grade student at the Main Admiralty. 
In 1790 Kurochkin received the title of ship apprentice with the rank of ensign. His career began in the shipyards of St. Petersburg and Kronstadt. His first fighting ship was the invincible bombing boat. He built one ship after another, adopting the experience of his teachers, such famous masters as Masalsky, Ivanov, Melikhov. 
In 1803 Kurochkin, as a young, promising shipmaster, was sent to Arkhangelsk. There, he headed the construction of the 74-gun frigate Strong, begun under his predecessor, which became his first battleship. During its construction, Kurochkin used the latest achievements of domestic and foreign shipbuilders. For the successful construction of this ship, he was awarded a large cash prize, and Alexander I granted him a diamond ring. 
The “Strong” was followed by the “Powerful”, “Borey”, “Eagle”, “Northern Star” and other ships. In 1806 the young craftsman was appointed chief inspector of the Arkhangelsk port, in fact, placing on him responsibility for all shipbuilding in the North of Russia. 
New duties did not prevent to Kurochkin from sharply activating his personal ship activities. In 1807 he laid at once six battleships. The need for new ships was very large, as Russia in those years waged continuous wars to strengthen and expand their maritime borders. 
Kurochkin's ships were distinguished by their great strength, excellent seaworthiness, ease of maintenance, beauty and grace, powerful armament. According to the drawings of Kurochkin, ships were laid in other shipyards, the English shipbuilders were interested in the work of the shipbuilding fashion makers. Ship Kurochkin "Azov", distinguished himself under the command of M.P. Lazarev in the Battle of Navarino, became the first ship awarded the St. George stern flag - he became the ancestor of the Russian naval guard.

Possessing an independent character, heightened sense of justice, demanding of himself and others, Kurochkin did not get along well with his superiors. In 1826, he filed a resignation, but did not dare to dismiss him, who enjoyed enormous prestige. The king announced to him "the highest favor for the good quality and location of the ships and frigates built in the Arkhangelsk port". However, the cavils of high-ranking officials of the Admiralty continued, age and illness were making themselves felt, and in 1829 he filed a second petition. Kurochkin refused the proposed transfer to Petersburg and retired with the rank of major general of shipboard engineers. 
Historians disagree on the exact number of all ships built by Kurochkin, but they are unanimous in assessing liners and frigates: 28 and 17, respectively. In the asset Kurochkina and the famous brig "Novaya Zemlya", entered the history of Arctic research. On it F.P. Litke made his trips to the Novaya Zemlya.

Kurochkin was well aware that the steamers were replacing the sailing fleet. Already in 1825 he built the 60-strong steamer "Light", which became the first steam ship in the North. Later, he laid the second ship “Hasty”. 
Having no family, Kurochkin lived after his resignation with his equally lonely sister in Solombala. 
Buried in the cemetery Solombala. 
Cape northern entrance Bay of Abrosimov on the Kara coast of the southern island of Novaya Zemlya. Described and named in 1833 by  P.K. Pakhtusov.