A quarter-century-long journey from Danzig to Kamchatka, or the Russian destiny of doctor Gendrik Gove

The essay written in the combined form of fiction and documentary offers Doctor Gendrik Gove’s biography presented for the first time both in Russian and foreign historiography. Born in Danzig he became a Russian subject in 1717. For nearly a quarter of a century he served as a war ship doctor in the Baltic Fleet and took part in V. Bering’s Second expedition to Kamchatka, known as the Great Northern Expedition of 1733-1743. As a member of a maritime expeditionary detachment under commander M. Shparberg Gendrik Gove participated in the exploration of the Kuril Islands and the “discovery” of Japan by Russians in 1739. His service is depicted against the broad background of historical events on the Baltic Sea and in Russia’s Far East alongside with historical figures he fortuned to meet. His destiny is typical for many other foreingers who committed themselves to Russia. The author goes on to question the popular belief that those European physicians who used to occupy almost every medical position in the Rusian Empire in the 18th century were motivated entirely by their own welfare.