The steamer "Chelyuskin", named after the 18th-century Russian Arctic explorer Semyon Chelyuskin, set sail on an expedition in August 1933. The goal of the expedition was to cross the Northern Sea Route within one navigation season and thus prove the possibilities for transporting goods for trade. The expedition leader was Otto Schmidt - a polar explorer and scientist. The ship's crew consisted of over 100 support personnel, researchers and expedition participants.
This is recalled by BTA.
The weather and conditions made sailing difficult from the very beginning. The steamer entered the Kara Sea in In August 1933, due to the ice, the hull was deformed, which led to a leak. In September 1933, the "Chelyuskin" reached the East Siberian Sea, where it received more dents from the heavy ice and the leak intensified.
Nevertheless, the steamer continued on its route and almost completed it when strong winds brought large pieces of ice that pressed down on the "Chelyuskin". The crew abandoned the steamer, which was threatened with being crushed by the large pieces of ice. The passengers took shelter on a large glacier that could accommodate 104 people. On it, they built huts and a camp, where they lived until their rescue.
On February 13, 1934, the "Chelyuskin" could not withstand the pressure of the pieces of ice and sank. In All these months, Otto Schmidt regularly sent out distress signals to find and rescue the crew and expedition members. In March 1934, rescue operations began. Planes gradually transported people from the glacier to land. Rescue missions continued until April 13, 1934, when the last one. All passengers and crew members were saved.