The Ship That Was Crushed in Siberian Ice

In 1933 a Russian cargo ship was making a groundbreaking trip across northern russia, through the arctic, in hopes of establishing a permanent trade route known as the northeast passage. Like so many ships before, it got stuck in the increasingly thick winter ice and was trapped for months at the mercy of the ocean currents below. Then, one day in February, there was a deep groaning from the ship’s hull. Immediately afterward, the captain yelled for everyone to abandon the ship. This is the story of the maiden voyage of the Chelyuskin

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Attributions/Special Thanks for Photographs:
Christopher Michel, Copernicus Sentinel data 2021, Norway Nasjonalbiblioteket

Writing and research by Rich Firth-Godbehere

This video contains light dramatic reenactment but no actual footage or pictures of anyone being harmed or who has been harmed.

And a huge thank you to the Scary Interesting team of writers, editors, captioners, and everyone else who make this channel possible.

[weltenbummler]

Seems like the expedition leader Otto had a good head on his shoulders. The influence of good leadership and planning has in such a desperate situation, should not be underestimated.

[pakde]

Its incredible they almost all made it off the ice. The captain must have been a great leader to keep morale going for such a long difficult time.

[AbysmalRapture]

This is the first of these stories Ive heard where people are actually competent and didnt devolve into canibalism or somebody turning into a tiny dictator

[annakeye]

We so often hear of the British expedition of The Terror and The Erebus. Which ended in abject failure, not to mention misery. I had never heard of the Chelyuskin so this was a real treat.
Not least because of the fact that women and children were on the ship but also the heroic rescue and fantastic leadership by Otto Schmidt.
Thanks for this.

[DinnerForkTongue]

Only one casualty, and out of unfortunate circumstances. An amazing result for captain Otto.

[mayav]

I’m amazed that it turned out so well for them. That’s rare in these stories

[joseph-fernando-piano]

Despite the dire situation and the hardships the crew had to endure, it was really refreshing to hear a story about a stranded ship where the survivors didn’t immediately give in to savagery and violence…

[Kyritheous]

Just got off graveyard shift and now I have something to watch before bed. Thanks!

[alexaflowers]

These folks did so damn well. I never hear these types of stories where people make almost all of the correct decisions

[weltenbummler]

Try to imagine the feeling you have hearing the sound of an approaching airplane engine sitting on a melting icesheet for 8 months without a ship. In the first place it is incredible they were able to locate the expedition so precisely after so many months on shifting ice in the middle of an ocean, without GPS.

[BasicGeometry]

Third trimester is a wonderful time for an arctic voyage

[UgetTheMemo]

I lived in Kotzebue, Alaska (on the Chukchi Sea) for a few years. It was -55 degrees F the day that I landed there. Despite that I fell in love with the place. I miss it every day.

[VgnRaj]

Stories of human victories over strife will always be appreciated more than others.

[BullsDeepHook]

That Otto sounded like an outstanding leader.
Epic beard on top of it.

[apathyisdeath]

While it makes total sense it's still wild seeing on the map what looks like blue ocean but there was an entire camp there, cos it was mostly just vast expanses of frozen ice. The maps showing the different locations just made those thoughts even more jarring, it's insane to think how much of the northern waters and the Arctic Sea in general are just covered by such thick layers of ice that it's safe to set up camp on it. Wild.

Great video as always!

[Phoenix-mheo]

Really enjoyed this one. This one was a lot more inspiring and less sad than a lot of the others. Also I know it was such a small part but damn, the women aboard were badass. "Don't send me, send someone weaker and less useful!!!" I'm sure every single person there wanted to get out of there and for them to be told "Hey, you can get out of here, no questions asked and in relative comfort" and they're like "nah, we want to do what's best for the group!"

Also nice that it seems like morale was generally really good, so everyone stayed civilized and didnt devolve into wild beasts like some of the other stories

[zzzanon]

Never give up. 8 months on the ship / ice, and they nearly all survived

[leannaerickson]

A harrowing adventure well told. After watching several stories in which there are many fatalities, I felt relief when I learned that all but one person was successfully rescued.

[WaaaghbossOrkamungus]

First reaction: Oh boy, new video, nice!
Second reaction: technically I just cheered about the fact that now I'll be able to hear another tale about human suffering

[ichbeen]

Everybody:"We are Fucked, we will die"**mourn.

Russia: "So, how can we enjoy this?"