diane9247
World Explorer
Reged: 01/15/07
Posts: 1727
Loc: Californian stranded in Oregon
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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
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Edited by diane9247 (06/10/08 07:04 PM)
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Hill
Master Guide
Reged: 10/31/04
Posts: 8868
Loc: Los Angeles
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No idea yet, but I did come across a good collection of photos from elsewhere on the island.
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transient52
Tourist
Reged: 07/23/05
Posts: 172
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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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.
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diane9247
World Explorer
Reged: 01/15/07
Posts: 1727
Loc: Californian stranded in Oregon
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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
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Nickolay
First Post
Reged: 03/11/07
Posts: 1
Loc: Viluchinsk, Kamchatka, Russia
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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
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Hale
Absent Friend
Reged: 10/15/05
Posts: 586
Loc: North Carolina, USA
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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
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heamit
Master Cartographer
Reged: 10/26/06
Posts: 2333
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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
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diane9247
World Explorer
Reged: 01/15/07
Posts: 1727
Loc: Californian stranded in Oregon
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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.
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diane9247
World Explorer
Reged: 01/15/07
Posts: 1727
Loc: Californian stranded in Oregon
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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!!!
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Frank_McVey
Master Guide
Reged: 07/22/05
Posts: 5340
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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
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heamit
Master Cartographer
Reged: 10/26/06
Posts: 2333
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Great find on the photo, Frank! Looks like we still have something to learn in the old research-skills department
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WayfarerSt
Tourist
Reged: 03/19/07
Posts: 2
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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.
Edited by WayfarerSt (03/20/07 11:18 AM)
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diane9247
World Explorer
Reged: 01/15/07
Posts: 1727
Loc: Californian stranded in Oregon
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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
-------------------- Women for Women International - For the special needs of women surviving war.
Kiva - Small loans changing lives around the world.
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btdav
Tourist
Reged: 07/12/07
Posts: 3
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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.
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btdav
Tourist
Reged: 07/12/07
Posts: 3
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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.
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Walt76
Tourist
Reged: 08/08/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Meridian, MS
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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.
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Walt76
Tourist
Reged: 08/08/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Meridian, MS
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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
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diane9247
World Explorer
Reged: 01/15/07
Posts: 1727
Loc: Californian stranded in Oregon
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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...
-------------------- Women for Women International - For the special needs of women surviving war.
Kiva - Small loans changing lives around the world.
Bukavu Foundation - For the Panzi Women's Shelter & other programs in Eastern Congo.
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Edited by diane9247 (08/11/07 09:48 PM)
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diane9247
World Explorer
Reged: 01/15/07
Posts: 1727
Loc: Californian stranded in Oregon
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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!
-------------------- Women for Women International - For the special needs of women surviving war.
Kiva - Small loans changing lives around the world.
Bukavu Foundation - For the Panzi Women's Shelter & other programs in Eastern Congo.
Room to Read - Change begins with educated children.
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diane9247
World Explorer
Reged: 01/15/07
Posts: 1727
Loc: Californian stranded in Oregon
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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...
-------------------- Women for Women International - For the special needs of women surviving war.
Kiva - Small loans changing lives around the world.
Bukavu Foundation - For the Panzi Women's Shelter & other programs in Eastern Congo.
Room to Read - Change begins with educated children.
Edited by diane9247 (08/24/07 10:51 PM)
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Walt76
Tourist
Reged: 08/08/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Meridian, MS
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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
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diane9247
World Explorer
Reged: 01/15/07
Posts: 1727
Loc: Californian stranded in Oregon
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Thanks Walt!!!
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Felippo
Collection Editor
Reged: 07/18/05
Posts: 1630
Loc: Hameln, Germany
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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
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Tms_n_Sht
First Post
Reged: 12/20/06
Posts: 1
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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.
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Walt76
Tourist
Reged: 08/08/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Meridian, MS
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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
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Shienok
First Post
Reged: 04/24/08
Posts: 1
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http://www.panoramio.com/photo/9078143
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diane9247
World Explorer
Reged: 01/15/07
Posts: 1727
Loc: Californian stranded in Oregon
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Hi Sheinok!
Thanks for the wonderful picture! That settles the debate, as far as I'm concerned.
Welcome to Google Earth! 
Diane
-------------------- Women for Women International - For the special needs of women surviving war.
Kiva - Small loans changing lives around the world.
Bukavu Foundation - For the Panzi Women's Shelter & other programs in Eastern Congo.
Room to Read - Change begins with educated children.
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philyuchkoff
Tourist
Reged: 06/14/06
Posts: 9
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(c) http://umovert.livejournal.com/23965.html
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diane9247
World Explorer
Reged: 01/15/07
Posts: 1727
Loc: Californian stranded in Oregon
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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
-------------------- Women for Women International - For the special needs of women surviving war.
Kiva - Small loans changing lives around the world.
Bukavu Foundation - For the Panzi Women's Shelter & other programs in Eastern Congo.
Room to Read - Change begins with educated children.
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