Title: FABIAN von BELLINGSHAUSEN
1995 18 X 22 INCHES

" Words can not describe the delight which appeared on all our faces at the
cry of
'Land! Land!' "

FABIAN von BELLINGSHAUSEN:
1778 - 1852, Russian explorer and naval officer.

Born in Estonia, he studied at the naval academy at Kronstadt. He took part
in Russia's first round-the-world voyage, (1803-06), under Kruzenstern, the
father of the Russian navy.

Following Captain Cook, Bellingshausen was sent by the "progressive" Czar
Alexander I in two ships, the Vostok and Mirnyi, to explore the southern
latitudes. He charted the South Sandwich Island and on 27 January, 1820 it is
believed he was the first person to sight the continent of Antarctica, though he was
not aware of it. The American sealer Nathaniel Palmer is also credited with
the first sighting. The controversy continues. For two summers
Bellingshausen circumnavigated the Antarctic, well south of Captain Cook. He sailed 55,900
miles, returned to Russia, and never received full acknowledgment of his achievements. Later, he was made
military governor of Kronstadt.