Trofin Zhdanko

Trofin Zhdanko was a Cossack under Tsar Peter. In 1723, he was stationed in Takuitsk in eastern Siberia. He had killed the governor and was sentenced to be hanged. He was taken to Vologda and imprisoned. The Tsar came to the prison to see Trofin, whom he knew and trusted. He gave him his freedom. Trofin was twenty-two years of age at the time. The Tsar wanted him to find a good captain, travel to Siberia, build a ship and explore the northern waters. Trofin learned how to read and spent time on the docks in St. Petersburg. He recommended a Dane, Titus Bering, who the Tsar knew and wanted as captain for the ship. As they were making their preparations, Tsar Peter died and Bering received his commission from Catherine the Great. In 1725, Trofin went along as his aide. It was 1729 by the time they built the...