(World Explorer)

02/20/07 10:08 PM

View in Google Earth

On Bering Island: what's this?

It's on Bering Island (Russia). While we're at it, I also wonder what the colleciton of buildings is to the SE and scattered around elsewhere. Nearby, the GE label says Seleniye. Doesn't look like an ordinary village to me - research, maybe?

Diane

(Master Guide)

02/20/07 11:20 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

No idea yet, but I did come across a good collection of photos from elsewhere on the island.

(Tourist)

02/21/07 01:06 AM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

Purely guessing that it is a hangover from the coldwar days. These islands were used as listening posts by the Russian military due to their proximity to the USA.

(World Explorer)

02/21/07 11:12 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

Thanks Heamit and transient.

I seems feasible that this is an old military station of some kind - we certainly had ours on Shemya and Adak. I did a little research on the Aleutians, including their use by the Japanese in WWII, which I hadn't known about. Heamit - I did see that collection of photos. I thought it was one of the most gorgeous landscapes I've ever seen. Maybe I'll retire there!

Regards,
Diane

(First Post)

03/11/07 08:48 AM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

It`s the Komandor islands scientists zone. A long and close bridge for silent movement of people without to trouble for sea-cats (fur-seal).
The breeding-ground is protected area! See photo on http://photo.beringisland.ru/thumbnails.php?album=11

(Absent Friend)

03/11/07 02:48 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

Hi Everyone, Hey Nickolay....

I don't know exactly what it is, but I'll take a stab at it.

The unknown object appears as a straight black line, about 345 meters long, with a structure at each end and a cubic structure located in the "thing"; It is pointing NNW. If you look at the "thing" carefully you see the shadows of short lines protruding from both sides of the tube, every 2½ meters; I believe the tube is elevated above the ground, supported by metal legs in the form of A-frames (the short protruding lines)..

I believe the "thing", which Nickolay called a "bridge", is actually a large pipe or tube, tho for the life of me, I don't understand its function. I hope Nickolay will read this and post a reply. If it is a bridge where do people go to and from? Where are the people who use the bridge?

Thanks

. HTH

hale

(Master Cartographer)

03/11/07 04:32 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

Hi again diane9247

I just wanted to point out that it was Hill who provided those photos not me

Generally, the way to tell us apart is that if it sounds intelligent and well thought-through, it was probably Hill; if it sounds silly, it was probably me

PS I agree with Hale that it looks like a short pipeline. But I have not been able to come up with anything else yet either. The abandoned settlement was called "Severnoye" and the sea lion rookery apparently "Severnoye Lezhbishche". This article discusses a survey of sea lions conducted in the area.

But why a pipeline? ...more research required

(World Explorer)

03/11/07 10:46 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

Hello Nikolay -

Your suggestion makes sense. I can't figure out why the "bridge" has so many supports (pointed out by Hale) - like legs on a centipede! I've seen pictures of pipelines and they do seem to have a lot of supports that are angled out like that.

Just tonight I noticed something else: at the end there is a long shadow that implies a tall, narrow structure. An observation tower? Handy for checking out an entire seal colony on the rocks? And I can't get by the idea that if it is a pipe for fuel, it doesn't appear to go anywhere.

Well, another GE mystery, perhaps never to be solved.

(World Explorer)

03/11/07 11:02 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

Hey heamit -
I'll keep that in mind and from now on...

Hill: intelligent

Heamit: silly

But, seriously...I have done some research, too, and came up with nothing much. As for those fabulous photos on the Russian photo site (uh, as noted by the brilliant HILL ) - I even e-mailed the guy, who said he grew up there, and haven't gotten a reply. Bummer!!

Anyway, I'm going to stick my neck out and vote for Looking-at-Seals Bridge w/ Observation Tower at the End.

Diane

PS: Hale, heamit, Hill...I can't keep you guys straight!!!

(Master Guide)

03/16/07 01:07 PM

Nicholay is right!

Nicholay is quite right and it's just his terminology that prevented us understanding his reply.

There's a large seal colony here.

This structure is a "blind", a wooden corridor used by scientists to transit from the shore to the observation hide in the middle and the observation tower at the end, without disturbing the sea-lions at their nuptials.

Here is an image of it!

Cheers,

Frank

(Master Cartographer)

03/16/07 09:28 PM

Re: Nicholay is right!

Great find on the photo, Frank!

Looks like we still have something to learn in the old research-skills department

(Tourist)

03/19/07 11:24 AM

North Cape Fur Seal Rookery Blind

Hi. I lived & worked on Bering Island last summer. This image is of the walkway & observation tower of the fur seal rookery on North Point, Bering Island. This feature is extensive & there are remains of other towers scattered around the island which facilitate the ability of scientists to observe the rookery without disturbing it. There are 3 fur seal rookeries on this island. They are great places to observe fur seals, steller's sea lions, sea otters, and arctic foxes all together.

Also, as to the cluster of buildings, the ones to the southwest are part of the only village on the island, Nikolskoye. To the south east, near the very large lake is a salmon catching/ processing plant. This lake is Lake Serannoe. There are several scattered huts throughout the island usually as out-camps from the main village.

(World Explorer)

07/08/07 09:11 PM

Re: North Cape Fur Seal Rookery Blind

Hello Wayfarer -

I just noticed your reply after all these months. Thanks so much for your first-hand account. You and Nikolay obviously know what you're talking about, since you've been to the place! Thanks to Frank's photo, I now am more persistent when I do my research. I envy you! That is a beautiful island and I would love to spend a summer there.

Regards,
Diane

(Tourist)

07/13/07 02:12 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

From previous experience and observations - if you look inland you will notice derilict buildings with lines radiating out from them, an obvious former signal station (radio tower, buried cables to increase range, etc.
The structure pointing out towards the ocean was possibly a very low frequence signal transmition device similar to the one used by he USNavy just South of the Great Lakes. The low frequence is used to contact submerge submarines.

(Tourist)

07/14/07 11:45 AM

Re: Anyone know what this is? Ostrov Beringa

Regarding the projection on the North end of the island. I believe you have to connect it to the old buildings further inland.
The pattern of lines eminating from the stuctures indicate that this was probably a transmission site as the radiating lines indicate that the old system of enhancing signal strength had been used.
It is possible that this site was also used a a very low frequency transmission site and that the structure near the water was part of the system. A similar system is used by the USNavy at thier site just south of the Great Lakes, although they have a 12 mile long transmission system, the last that i read about it. It is used to signal submarines while they are submeged.

(Tourist)

08/08/07 09:06 PM

Identity of the object on Bering Island.

The long device is a fuel offload pantagraph. Since the sea
around the island lacks sufficient depth to allow sea-going
tankers (oilers) close-in anchorage, the long pipe has an
inner pipe that can be extended out to deeper water and
connected to the fuel hydrants aboard the ship. If you read
the World War II account about the U.S./Japan Battle of the
Komander (Commander) Islands, you know that Bering
Island was a strategic landmark and entire fleets of naval
vessels were refueled. The multi-bracing of the device is
necessary to protect it from seismic shock from the
frequent earthquakes. If you remember Myst Island -
there is a water pantagraph that has to be cranked into
place to activate the water motor to raise the elevator.

(Tourist)

08/09/07 06:01 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

Anyone wanting to know the true identity can check it all out at:
http://walt.ivey.googlepages.com/austerebarebase
I have seen these during my service with the military during
almost 42 years of service.
Walt76

(World Explorer)

08/10/07 09:16 PM

Re: Nicholay is right!

I took a 2nd look at Frank's fabulous link and decided that some of it should be shown off in the post!

Once again, I think this is the most gorgeous place ever - so don't hesitate to look at the photo links sent by Frank and Hill. Here are the two pertinent shots in Frank's link:

Looks like this one runs along the beach, right through the middle of the herd.

This could be the one I see on GE - notice the tall tripod-looking things. Wonder if they're for extra observation height.

>Sigh< ...would love to go there...

(World Explorer)

08/10/07 09:27 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

Hi Walt! Sheesh, now I'm SO CONFUSED! This is equally convincing. That does it - I absolutely must go check this for myself. Let's see, where'd I put my passport...?

Thanks, everyone, for your fabulous suggestions, clues, links, etc. I honestly don't know what to think, now!

(World Explorer)

08/11/07 09:56 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is? Ostrov Beringa

btdav - Thanks for this info. There seem to be two "camps" regarding this post and I honestly don't know which one I'm in: (1) Military/Fuel Camp or (2) Science Camp!

Most puzzling! But, I keep thinking of Nikolay, who has actually seen the item in question...

(Tourist)

08/22/07 03:39 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

I provided Hill with a URL link which includes a photograph
that displays the item in question. The "stovepipe" in the
photograph can be viewed and compared with the one on
Bering Island. The fuel transfer stovepipe on Bering Island
is probably the longest ever constructed. Here is the link
that I provided Hill:
http://walt.ivey.googlepages.com/stovepipe

Walt76

(World Explorer)

08/30/07 03:07 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

Thanks Walt!!!

(Collection Editor)

09/01/07 06:53 AM

Re: Identity of the object on Bering Island.

Quote:

The long device is a fuel offload pantagraph.

Sorry, but the walkway & observation tower theory by Nickolay and WayfarerSt makes much more sense to me. Especially after seeing the photo that Frank_McVey found.

@Diane

A very nice and interesting find. Thanks.

Best Regards, Felippo

(First Post)

01/21/08 11:19 AM

Re: Identity of the object on Bering Island.

Well, there goes my brilliant theory, that it is actually the muzzle of a huge, super secret, subterranean, hypersonic experimental rail gun! But wait, if it REALLY is a hide or blind, how come the GE image doesn't match the picture? You can clearly see in the picture that the hide is flimsy, curves to the right at the far end and the supports are vertical, not slanted away from the tube like you would need to support the great stresses of a hypersonic rail gun. And what is that just off the sea end of the "object"? It couldn't be a jet of super-heated plasma from a hyper-sonic sabot projo leaving the tube, or could it? Here is another curious thing... 324.24 statute miles from the land end of the barrel and EXACTLY in line with it (allowing for the cordials effect of the spinning Earth) there appears to be an impact zone/crater at these coordinates:

59°44'33.03"N
162°50'29.99"E

Coincidence? Maybe, I guess there is really only one way to find out. Who will go with me to check this out? :-)

PS Fileppo, love your helo pads.

(Tourist)

01/30/08 05:29 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

I will recreate my previous post which will authenticate the exact
purpose for the "stovepipe" fuel transfer system. If you are using
Google Earth, you will see that the island has a shelf of rock that
prevents fuel transport tankers from berthing for offloading. The
"stovepipe" which is a pipe inside a pipe can be extended out
to deeper water and fuel can be offloaded to rubberized fabric
bladders. You can see the sandbagged revetments south of
the stovepipe which retain the bladder contents in the event of
a rupture.
Walt76

(First Post)

04/24/08 01:53 AM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/9078143

(World Explorer)

05/01/08 11:59 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

Hi Sheinok!

Thanks for the wonderful picture! That settles the debate, as far as I'm concerned.

Welcome to Google Earth!

Diane

(Tourist)

06/02/08 09:43 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

(c) http://umovert.livejournal.com/23965.html

(World Explorer)

06/10/08 06:49 PM

Re: Anyone know what this is?

philyuchkoff -

Hello again, and thank you SO MUCH for these wonderful photos. They are perfect! I also checked out your link, which has even more good pictures. The leaning tower at the end of the walkway must be very old - I suppose not used anymore. Is this your website? Did you ever go to the island?

Best regards,
Diane

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