Schmidt Otto Yulievich 
(18(30).09.1891–07.09.1956)

Soviet mathematician, astronomer, geophysicist, state and public figure, academician of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1935; corresponding member 1933) and the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR (1934), Hero of the Soviet Union. 
Born in Mogilev. In 1913, Schmidt graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Kiev University; since 1916 privat-docent. After the October Revolution, he was a member of the colleges of a number of people's commissariats, he was one of the organizers of higher education, science (he worked in the people's commissariat of education, the State Academic Council at the SNK of the USSR, the Communist Academy) and publishing (head of the State Publishing House in 1921–1924, editor-in-chief of Soviet Encyclopedia in 1924–1941). In 1923–1956He is a professor at Moscow State University, in 1930-1932. Director of the All-Union Arctic Institute, in 1932-1939. Chief Glavsevmorputi, in 1939-1942. Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. 
In 1937, at the initiative of Schmidt, the Institute of Theoretical Geophysics of the USSR Academy of Sciences was organized, of which he was director until 1949. Major works in the field of mathematics relate to algebra; The monograph "Abstract group theory" had a significant influence on the development of this theory. Schmidt - the founder of the Moscow algebraic school, the head of which he was for many years. In the mid-1940s, he put forward a new cosmogonic hypothesis about the formation of the Earth and the planets of the Solar System, the development of which he continued with a group of Soviet scientists until the end of his life. 
The arctic period of Schmidt’s activity stands out. This period brought him the greatest fame and popularity. It is difficult to understand the motives by which a theoretical mathematician was sent to such a specific work. Apparently, Schmidt became known as a traveling explorer, especially after the expedition of 1928 to the most mountainous and unexplored regions of the Pamirs. For the first time, the world's largest mountain glacier Fedchenko was completed. With the participation of Schmidt were made many record ascents to the mountain peaks. Loyalty and personal loyalty were of considerable importance to the Stalinist leadership. 
In 1929 and 1930 Schmidt led the expedition on the icebreaker "G. Sedov”, during which the first research station was organized on Franz Josef Land, examined the northeastern part of the Kara Sea and the western shores of Severnaya Zemlya and a number of islands were discovered.

 

In 1932, the expedition on the icebreaking ship "A. Sibiryakov "under the leadership of Schmidt for the first time passed for one navigation from Arkhangelsk to the Pacific Ocean. After this campaign, not without the influence of Schmidt, the government had the impression that the Northern Sea Route was conquered and mastered by the Bolsheviks, although “A. Sibiryakov” got to the Bering Sea, as they say on an honest word and on one wing, namely with a broken propeller and on the sails. The task was to immediately develop the Northern Sea Route for regular navigation, for which in December 1932 Main Directorate of the Northern Sea Route was created, which was headed by Schmidt. 
In 1933, the steamer "Chelyuskin" was sent to the sea, which, apart from going through in one navigation, was instructed to supply the colony on Wrangel Island, where no vessel could break through for four years, as well as deliver a new shift of polar explorers there. In the Soviet press, "Chelyuskin" was persistently called the “icebreaker”, the “icebreaking steamer,” although it was not. It was an ordinary steamer, and experts knew that his voyage in the Arctic outside the caravan and without a powerful icebreaker was doomed to failure. In the conclusion of the commission, which included Academician A.N. Krylov, it is noted that the steamer "... is built without taking into account the specified conditions and is completely unsuitable for ice navigation". 
But the task is set, and who dares to object. Schmidt was appointed head of the voyage, V.I. Voronin. 
On board the "Chelyuskin" there were one hundred and eleven people who, apart from the crew and the expedition crew, included a shift of polar explorers to Wrangel Island, including one child and a pregnant woman. Already in the Kara Sea, not yet entering heavy ice, the ship received its first serious damage. It turned out that he poorly obeys the helm, the quality is extremely dangerous for swimming in ice. The hardest stage of navigation came in the Chukchi Sea. "Chelyuskin" led a desperate struggle with an enemy that was impossible for him, new damage appeared. It became clear that the approach to the island of Wrangel is excluded. There was a question about wintering in the ice. 
In October, when the ship was in the area   Kolyuchin Island, it was possible to contact the Chukchi and agree on sending part of the train ashore and delivering food to the ship. It was supposed, of course, to evacuate the weak, but due to the lack of dog harnesses they decided to load them in the first place with food, dog food and tents. Since those who were going on foot were to go on foot, they selected six of the strongest and most enduring, but connected with the main work with Moscow and Leningrad. Only one patient and a doctor accompanying him went on sledges. The walking party successfully made its way to Whalen, where it was taken aboard the ice-cutter “F. Litke". 
By the will of the ice "Chelyuskin" wandered in different directions. In early November, the vessel entered the Bering Strait, 5 miles to the south, the surf zone near Diomede Islands was already visible. Formally, the route was completed, the Northern Sea Route passed. The fact that no change of wintering workers on Wrangel Island was not carried out did not want to be remembered. There was one more problem - it was necessary to get out of the ice captivity. The ice-cutter “F. Litke ”, but Schmidt refused - the purity of the experiment disappeared. Slowly, the ship stern toward the Pacific Ocean drifted south. Tons of ammonal were spent on the explosions, icy hail rained down from powerful explosions, portholes flew out, and the ice floes did not crack. The drift slowed down, and then something incomprehensible happened: with a northerly wind the ship carried north. It fell into a powerful current from the Bering Strait to the Arctic Ocean. "Chelyuskin" was not destined to enter the clean water. 
Wintering began in early December. The ice movements around the vessel did not cease, and on February 13 the strongest compression began, which became the last for Chelyuskin. In extreme conditions, it was possible to unload everything planned according to plan, and most importantly - people. Only one person could not get off the ice.

 

What could be the reaction of the country's leadership, essentially Stalin, to what happened, Schmidt and Voronin believed that, at best, resignation, at worst, “the highest measure”. And suddenly the telegram: "Congratulations to you as heroes of the Arctic!". Stalin was able to turn defeat into triumph. 
The famous "Schmidt ice camp" was formed, which lasted until April 13. Schmidt himself, who had a lung disease, was taken out on April 11 by order of the government commission, the last to be removed from the floe were Captain Voronin and radio operator E.T. Krenkel. In honor of the brilliant completion of the rescue work, the government established the highest degree of distinction in the USSR - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The first of its owners were seven polar pilots who, on small unreliable airplanes, constantly risking their lives, managed to take all the winterers to the mainland. Everything, fortunately, was completed safely. 
History does not know the subjunctive mood, nevertheless imagine that "Chelyuskin" still got rid of ice and went out into the clear water. Would you not send ten Cheluskins next year? That would be a tragedy.

In 1937, Schmidt led an air expedition to organize the North Pole-1 drifting station, and in 1938, an operation to remove station personnel from the ice floe. These were the years when, at the whim of Stalin, any person could either disappear from the face of the earth without a trace, or become great. To such great ones, which the Bolsheviks identified several pieces in all spheres of human life, was attributed to Schmidt. Therefore, when in 1937, largely because of the incompetence and helplessness of the leadership of Schmidt’s leadership of the Northern Sea Route, almost the entire Arctic sea fleet was caught in ice, others were punished. 
In 1937, Schmidt was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union (Medal No. 35). In addition, he was awarded three Orders of Lenin, the Order of the Red Star, two other orders, and also medals.

The last period of Schmidt’s life was perhaps the most heroic. Since the winter of 1943-1944. tuberculosis progressed, spread not only to the lungs, but also to the throat. He was periodically forbidden to speak, he spent a lot of time in sanatoriums near Moscow and in Yalta, and in recent years was, in essence, bedridden.Straining his will, Schmidt used the slightest improvement of his condition for scientific work. When I had enough strength, I gave lectures in Moscow and Leningrad.He was among those whose lectures in 1953 opened classes in the new high-rise building of Moscow University. He founded and headed the Geophysical Department at Moscow State University in 1951, and conducted scientific seminars at home and in the country. Gradually, Schmidt gave up all administrative posts, only agreeing to become the chief editor of the journal "Nature" in 1951, reviving this publication. 
He died at his dacha in Mozzhinka near Zvenigorod, buried at the Novodevichy cemetery.

The island to the west of the island Komsomolets and the glacier on it. The expedition on the icebreaker steamer “G. Sedov "in 1930. 
Peninsula in the Bay of Russian Harbor on the west coast of the northern island of Novaya Zemlya. The expedition on the icebreaking steamer “G. Sedov" in 1930. 
Cape at the eastern entrance to the Long Strait. In 1778, the English navigator J. Cook called it "North Cape". In 1823, F.P. Wrangel placed on the map the local name "Ir-kaypsya". Later, the transcription "Ryrkaypiy", which means "walrus mash", was adopted. The modern name was established by the Soviet government in 1934.