Khromchenko Vasily Stepanovich 
(1792–1849)

Outstanding Russian navigator. 
He came from a poor family. In 1815, he graduated from the Kronstadt Navigation School and was enlisted as a navigator assistant to the non-commissioned officer's rank in the crew of the brig Rurik, a small ship with a displacement of only 180 tons. Equipped with funds from Russian Chancellor Count N.P. Rumyantsev under the command of O.E. Kotzebue "Rurik" went on a long voyage in order to find a passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic along the Arctic shores of North America, the so-called Northwest Passage. In addition to this task, the expedition was instructed to survey the poorly studied near-equatorial regions of the western Pacific Ocean. Detailed instructions were received from I.F. Krusenstern and astronomer Horner. 
The crew on the "Rurik" was selected reliable and very qualified. G.S. Shishmarev  was Kotzebue's assistant, the scientific group consisted of A. Shamisso, I.-F. Escholz, Vormsheld and artist Horis. This allowed not only to safely complete the difficult and dangerous voyage, but also to achieve significant scientific results, having made many geographical discoveries. From the very beginning of the expedition, the brig pursued unfavorable weather, and in mid-April 1817, during fierce storms near the Aleutian Islands, he twice found himself on the verge of death, and Commander Kotzebue himself was severely crippled by a wave. 
During the nearly three-year round-the-world voyage, Vasily Khromchenko gained real ocean experience, honing his navigational art near the harsh shores of Alaska, and among the dangerous coral atolls of Central Oceania, and in continuous storms in the Drake Passage. Commander Kotzebue, after looking closely at this young man, gave him a very high assessment in his attestation: “The behavior of the most noble and in the service is diligent”. 
After the return of “Rurik” to Russia, Khromchenko received an invitation to serve in the Russian-Amarikan Company and the midshipman rank, which was a very high score for a sailor who had not completed the Marine Corps. 
Service for the Russian-Amarikan Company began for Khromchenko with two voyages in the Golovin brig with the aim of researching, describing and mapping the west coast of Alaska and the adjacent islands. The materials of both expeditions received the highest marks from the Navy Department. The research in the eastern part of the Bering Sea, conducted by the expedition, formed the basis for compiling the most accurate maps of the west coast of Alaska for many years. 
For several years he served Khromtchenko in Russian America, fulfilling various responsible assignments of the leadership of the Russian-Amarikan Company. In 1824 he was appointed commander of the very brig "Rurik", on which he made the first Around the World tour. 
In 1828–1830 Lieutenant Khromchenko made his second round-the-world voyage commanding the ship "Elena". The route from Kronstadt to Sitka in Alaska, following around the Cape of Good Hope, was completed in 11 months, and the return past Cape Horn, in 9 months, which was a record of navigation eastward, which was never surpassed. It was one of the most exemplary world voyages in the entire history of our fleet, performed extremely clearly and efficiently, at a brilliant professional level.From Russian America, goods were delivered to a record sum of 1 million 200 thousand 200 rubles for those times, and the vessel did not have any casualties or damage.Khromchenko was awarded a very honorable imperial award - a diamond ring. 
And in this exemplary world tour around the world, he remained true to himself, making along the way the position of a number of islands in the central part of the Pacific Ocean.

In 1831–1833 Khromchenko on military transport "America" for the third time circled the globe. Knowing the research tendencies of the commander, he was granted the right to also do hydrographic work, to the extent that the main goal - cargo delivery - would allow. 
Swimming was very difficult. Already since the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope, “America” was met with strong storms. Continuous two-month storms ruffled transport so that almost a month had to be repaired in Port Jackson. Nevertheless, in this voyage it was possible to find opportunities for hydrographic and navigational observations.The coordinates of the Peister Islands, the Genderville Islands, some islands of the Gilbert Archipelago and the Marshall Islands were determined in the Pacific Ocean.During this campaign Khromtchenko was awarded the Order of St. Anna, 2 degrees. 
In 1835–1842 Khromchenko sailed on various ships, cruised in the Baltic Sea. In 1843 he was promoted to captain 2 rank and dismissed from service. Settled in Oranienbaum. 
Cape (Khramchenko) on the east coast of the northern island of Novaya Zemlya. Named by Novaya Zemlya Hydrographic Expedition No. 4 in 1952. 
Bay (Khramchenko) on the east coast of the northern island of Novaya Zemlya. It was opened and named in 1835 by A.K. Tsivolka.