Mulovsky expedition
Encyclopedia
The Mulovsky expedition was a Russian
naval
expedition planned by Catherine II of Russia
, to be led by Captain Grigory Ivanovich Mulovsky Григорiй Ивановичъ Муловскiй. The expedition never took place, due to the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War.
by the Cape of Good Hope
and Sunda Strait
to Kamchatka.
(off Vancouver Island) and that, after investigating that place, the entire coast from "Nootka to the initial point of discovery by Chernikov" be annexed to Russia if it was not already occupied by another power. The expeditions was then to proceed along the coast of Alaska and to "formally to take possession" of it, to destroy foreign armorial bearings and insignia and everywhere establish signs of its belonging to Russia.
The Englishman and companion of Cook, James Trevenen
was connected with the Mulovsky expedition. In the spring of 1787, Catherine II received his project for developing the fur trade in the Pacific Ocean, which included the dispatch of three ships from Kronstadt
by Cape Horn
: two would remain on the coast of Kamchatka, the third would take on furs obtained to send to China/Japan; one or two additional ships yearly would ensure communication with the Baltic, which had to become a very good school for Russian seamen and ensure supplies for the traders. The project was received by the Empress with enthusiasm, and Trevenen was admitted into the Russian fleet with the rank of captain of the 2nd rank.
Another companion of Cook, the naturalist Georg Forster
, was invited to participate in the expedition. He was appointed "historiographer of the fleet", according to the program of the expedition actively drawn up by Peter Simon Pallas
.
The Mulovsky expedition was cancelled by Catherine II on 28 October 1787 in connection with the Russo-Turkish War. In 1788, the Russo-Swedish War
began, during which in 1789 Mulovsky and Trevenen perished in separate naval battles against the Swedes.
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
naval
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
expedition planned by Catherine II of Russia
Catherine II of Russia
Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great , Empress of Russia, was born in Stettin, Pomerania, Prussia on as Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg...
, to be led by Captain Grigory Ivanovich Mulovsky Григорiй Ивановичъ Муловскiй. The expedition never took place, due to the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War.
Initial plans
In January 1787, the 22nd year of Catherine II of Russia, two edicts emerged "on the occasion of attempts on the part of English commercial traders to develop trading and commerce in the wildlife of the Eastern Sea", from the Board of Foreign Affairs and the Board of Admiralty. By the first of these it was ordered that measures be taken “for the maintenance of our right” to the lands discovered by Russians, and by the second, to send four warships from the Baltic SeaBaltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
by the Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa.There is a misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa, because it was once believed to be the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In fact, the...
and Sunda Strait
Sunda Strait
The Sunda Strait is the strait between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra. It connects the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean...
to Kamchatka.
Captain and crew
Captain of the 1st. rank Grigory Ivanovich Mulovsky was appointed commander of this squadron (the number of whose ships was brought up to five) and in his instructions the Admiralty Board set out the problem of the protection of Russian interests in the seas between Kamchatka and America. The expedition was supplied with cast iron escutcheons and specially prepared medals; they were to go with the scientists. It was proposed that the officers keep journals with ethnographical notes and gather collections and compose dictionaries. It was ordered that, after annexing them to Russia, all the Kurile Islands be described, the island of Sakhalin be sailed around and described, that the voyage be continued to Nootka SoundNootka Sound
Nootka Sound is a complex inlet or sound of the Pacific Ocean on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Historically also known as King George's Sound, as a strait it separates Vancouver Island and Nootka Island.-History:The inlet is part of the...
(off Vancouver Island) and that, after investigating that place, the entire coast from "Nootka to the initial point of discovery by Chernikov" be annexed to Russia if it was not already occupied by another power. The expeditions was then to proceed along the coast of Alaska and to "formally to take possession" of it, to destroy foreign armorial bearings and insignia and everywhere establish signs of its belonging to Russia.
The Englishman and companion of Cook, James Trevenen
James Trevenen
James Trevenen was an officer in the Royal Navy and the Imperial Russian Navy.Born in Cornwall "of a very respectable family", he was educated at the Royal Naval Academy at Portsmouth and went to sea in 1776 as a midshipman on the Resolution under Captain James Cook, where he assisted Cook as a...
was connected with the Mulovsky expedition. In the spring of 1787, Catherine II received his project for developing the fur trade in the Pacific Ocean, which included the dispatch of three ships from Kronstadt
Kronstadt
Kronstadt , also spelled Kronshtadt, Cronstadt |crown]]" and Stadt for "city"); is a municipal town in Kronshtadtsky District of the federal city of St. Petersburg, Russia, located on Kotlin Island, west of Saint Petersburg proper near the head of the Gulf of Finland. Population: It is also...
by Cape Horn
Cape Horn
Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island...
: two would remain on the coast of Kamchatka, the third would take on furs obtained to send to China/Japan; one or two additional ships yearly would ensure communication with the Baltic, which had to become a very good school for Russian seamen and ensure supplies for the traders. The project was received by the Empress with enthusiasm, and Trevenen was admitted into the Russian fleet with the rank of captain of the 2nd rank.
Another companion of Cook, the naturalist Georg Forster
Georg Forster
Johann Georg Adam Forster was a German naturalist, ethnologist, travel writer, journalist, and revolutionary. At an early age, he accompanied his father on several scientific expeditions, including James Cook's second voyage to the Pacific...
, was invited to participate in the expedition. He was appointed "historiographer of the fleet", according to the program of the expedition actively drawn up by Peter Simon Pallas
Peter Simon Pallas
Peter Simon Pallas was a German zoologist and botanist who worked in Russia.- Life and work :Pallas was born in Berlin, the son of Professor of Surgery Simon Pallas. He studied with private tutors and took an interest in natural history, later attending the University of Halle and the University...
.
Cancellation
The World, of 23 November 1787, reported that:
The squadron, which the Empress of Russia is about to send to Kamschatka, is now ready, and is victualled for three years. It is commanded by Mr. Mulosky, who received his education in England, and afterwards served as a Midshipman in our Navy.
The Mulovsky expedition was cancelled by Catherine II on 28 October 1787 in connection with the Russo-Turkish War. In 1788, the Russo-Swedish War
Russo-Swedish War
Russo-Swedish Wars may refer to:* Swedish–Novgorodian Wars, a series of conflicts in the 12th and 13th centuries* Russo-Swedish War , result of an alliance between Ivan III of Russia and Hans of Denmark...
began, during which in 1789 Mulovsky and Trevenen perished in separate naval battles against the Swedes.