Shelikof Strait

Shelikof Strait in Detail.

Incomplete record. extends SW 150 mi. from Barren Island between Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak I.

Named "P(roliv) Shelekova" or "Shelikov's Strait," by Ensign Vasiliev in 1831 or 1832 (Lutke, 1836, p274) for Grigori Ivanovich Shelikov, a Siberian shipbuilder and merchant. This feature was called Smikey Bay in 1778 by Captain Cook (1785, v. 2, p385), RN. Captain Meares (1790, pl. 11), RN, named it "Petrie's Strait" in 1786 for William Petrie. The strait was called "Canal de Flores" or "strait of flowers" by D. A. Galiano (1802, map 3) and "Prol(iv) Kenayskoy" or "Kenai Strait" by Lt Sarichev (1826, map 3), Imperial Russian Navy (IRN). The Russian American Company called it "Proliv Alyaskinskoy ili Shelikova, Alaska" or "Shelikov's Strait," in 1849, Shelikov (Bancroft, 1886, p182) "has justly been called the founder of the Russian colonies on this continent." He formed several partnerships in the fur trading business. They led to his expedition across the Pacific in 1783 to establish a permanent settlement in order to protect and further the interests of the fur hunters and traders.