The Laperuzov Strait is located in the Pacific Ocean, separates the two largest islands. It always had political significance, as the border of two states: Russia and Japan, was located here. Opened by the famous navigator, sung in the song "From the distant Strait of Laperouse", it still poses a great danger to ships.
Geographical position
The geographical position of the strait makes it significant enough for politics and economics. The Laperouse Strait divides two islands of vast size: Sakhalin and Hokkaido. The first of them belongs to Russia, and the second to Japan. In the north, the waters of the Laperouse Strait penetrate deep into Aniva Bay in southern Sakhalin. And in the south they fill Soya Bay.
The Laperouse Strait belongs to the Pacific Ocean, it is located on the border of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. The entire length of the strait is 94 kilometers. The width in the narrowest section between the islands is 43 kilometers. This segment is located between Cape Krillon on Sakhalin and Cape Soya near Hokkaido (the extreme point of the island and all of Japan).
The largest depth in the strait is 118 meters. The bottom in this marine section has a large amplitude of depth fluctuations, from shallow reefs to depressions. The shores that are washed by the Laperouse Strait, where the mountains are located, are covered with forest with growing bamboo. Only some areas in
Aniva Bays and Soya Bay smoothly descend to the sea, forming sandy beaches. The largest settlements: Wakkanai (Japan), Korsakov (Russia).
Climate
Weather conditions where the Laperouse Strait is located can be called harsh and uncomfortable. Strong winds and fogs are frequent here, reducing visibility and making shipping very difficult. About a hundred cyclones a year pass through the Laperouse Strait. At the end of summer, there may also be typhoons, whose speed becomes more than 40 meters per second. Heavy rain pours without interruption.
The climate in the strait is moderate monsoon. The average temperature in January is -5, in July +17 degrees. In winter, the strait freezes and becomes crusted with ice.
Shipping
In this section of the sea space are important communication routes. What connects the Laperouse Strait can be seen on the map. Ports, which are located on the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk, are connected through it with the Japanese and Bering Sea, as well as with the entire Pacific Ocean.
Laperuzov Strait is very dangerous for ships due to natural factors. Shipping from December to April is particularly difficult. A large amount of ice comes from the Tatar Strait, the sea space is clogged. Fogs, rains and snowfalls are frequent here, although they are short-lived due to strong winds. The reefs that are found here also pose a great danger. The shores of the strait have very few bays where ships can hide from the storm. From captains of ships to complete this section requires a lot of experience and skill.
Name Origin and History
The name gained its strait thanks to the navigator and fleet officer Jean Francois de Halo Laperouse. It was discovered in 1787 during the circumnavigation of the famous explorer. Sakhalin already belonged to Russia at that time. After passing through the Laperuzov Strait, the expedition moved to the shores of Kamchatka and there sent one participant in the trip, who was supposed to go through Siberia and report on the results of circumnavigation.
Laperouse Expedition
In 1785, the expedition left the French port of Brest in two frigates with the names Astrolabe and Bussol. Thus began the voyage around the world under the command of a naval officer; Laperouse himself was 44 years old at that time.
The original purpose of the trip was to explore new lands for their possible colonization. France thus sought to overtake the British Empire, which was considered a great maritime power. A large number of mirrors, glass beads and metal needles were prepared as gifts for the indigenous population. It was planned to make a voyage around the world, for this it was necessary to go through the Atlantic, go around Cape Horn and explore the Great South Sea.
This name had the Pacific Ocean, which was discovered 300 years before this event by the Spanish conquistadors, now Europeans intended to study it in detail.
2 years after leaving France, Laperouz and his team reached the strait. But before that, the expedition managed to explore the shores of Chile, the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, and California. Then they were able to abruptly cross the entire Pacific Ocean and find themselves at the mouth of the Pearl River of China, then replenish reserves in the Philippines.
In August 1787, the French approached the coast of Sakhalin. So a new strait and its environs were discovered. Then the expedition moved north and explored the coast of Kamchatka. Then they again returned to the southern latitudes to the shores of Australia and New Caledonia. Since then, the expedition has disappeared, although Laperuz planned to return to his homeland in 1789. Only after a certain period of time did it become clear that they had crashed on reefs off the island of Vanikoro.
Cape Crillon
This is the southernmost point of Sakhalin, which is washed by the Laperouse Strait, is the tip of the Crillon Peninsula. It is steep and tall, around it are reefs that are dangerous for the passage of ships. The name of the cape was in honor of Louis Balbes de Crillon, who took part in the expedition of Laperouse. Here, on the peninsula, there is a lighthouse and a Russian military unit, a signal gun has also been preserved since ancient times.
For a long time the peninsula was under Japanese influence due to its proximity to the shores of this country. And only in 1875, when all of Sakhalin became Russian, the Krillon Peninsula also began to belong to our country.
But after almost 30 years, the Russo-Japanese War began, during which half of Sakhalin was again taken from our country. But Japan dominated here for about 40 years, and then the peninsula was reconquered again and again became Russian.
The result and traces of all these events can be observed on the Crillon Peninsula. Both Russians and Japanese left behind numerous trenches, now overgrown with bamboo. Tank batteries stand on higher ground, covering convenient bays where the enemy could land. Shipping along the coast and in the vicinity, as already mentioned, is difficult due to very frequent fogs and strong currents. The need for a lighthouse was undeniable, so here in 1883 the first lighthouse made of wood appeared on the highest place.
In 1894, red Japanese brick was used to build a new similar structure. Currently, this lighthouse is one of the main attractions on Cape Crillon. In 1893, a weather station was built here, since then there have been observations of the weather.
Hazard Stone
This is a rock, which is located not far (14 kilometers) from Cape Crillon. It is located in the Sea of Okhotsk, southeast of the extreme point of Sakhalin. This is a pile of stones on which there is no vegetation. The rock has an elongated plan, its length is 150 meters, its width is 50. The Danger Stone was discovered by the expedition of Laperouse, and this seafarer was the first to characterize it. The rock has always been a significant obstacle to the passage of ships along the strait, as there are reefs around it that create danger. The algae that grow in these places are so thick and strong that, winding on the propellers of ships, they became the cause of numerous accidents. At one time, sailors on ships sensitively listened to the sea. Distinguishing the roar of Steller sea lions from the general noise, they determined that the Danger Stone was nearby. This is the name of large eared seals that arrange their rookeries on the rocks off the coast of Sakhalin. They especially fell in love with the Danger Stone.
Port of Korsakov
Located in the southeastern part of Salmon Bay. This port is the largest on the island of Sakhalin. Consists of an external and internal harbor. The Japanese began to build it in 1907. After the end of World War II, when part of Sakhalin was recaptured, the port of Korsakov began to belong to the Soviet Union. He was the link between the mainland and Sakhalin.
Facts about the Laperouse Strait
With good visibility from the island of Hokkaido, you can see the coast of Cape Krillon (Sakhalin).
In Japan, this strait is currently called Soya.
When the Laperuzov Strait was discovered by the French navigator, during the expedition it was concluded that Sakhalin is a peninsula, part of Eurasia.
Many wanted to get into the expedition of Laperouse, there was a fierce struggle, among the applicants was Napoleon Bonaparte from the island of Corsica. If they had taken it, the fate of France would have been different, because in just a few years the Bastille and the revolution would take place. And then Napoleon will proclaim himself emperor and begin wars that will shock the whole world.