The Mysterious Alexandra Tarasova-Yusupov

by Carl Douglass

  Alexandra took time to learn that the very lightweight and maneuverable kayaks were made of seal skin. By long and time-honored tradition, the skins, bone, and sinew, could only be sewn only by Aleut women and stretched tightly over a frame made strictly of drift wood and only constructed by men. Baidarkas were treated as living beings by the Aleuts men; and it was therefore taboo for women to handle them once completed despite the women’s role in crafting the skin of the boat.

  Men did all the designing of the baidarka frames to be light, fast, and flexible, tying together the wooden parts with intricate and spiritual knots braided from tough animal sinew. Unungan women were allowed to sew the skins onto the frames as a token of the womens’ contribution. For the Unungan people—men, women, and children–the seagoing kayaks lived as spiritual beings and were essential for their survival.

  Russian explorer/traders established Novo-Arkhangelsk, or New Archangel, located on the outer-Baranof Island and the southern half of Chichagof Island in the Alexander Archipelago of the Pacific as their principle commercial hub and as their defensive fort. New Archangel became a prospering and permanent settlement named after Arkhangelsk, the largest city in the region where the leader of the explorers. Lord Alexander Baranov–was born.

  In 1808, with Baranov as governor, Sitka was designated the capital of Russian-America in the name of the Russian Empire and Baranoff’s Russian-American Company which was formally chartered by Tzar Alexander I. Viewing the Russians as unfair trading partners and interlopers, the Tlingit [known as Koloshi by the Russians] established their own fort, on the Chatham Strait side of Peril Strait to enforce a trade embargo with the Russian establishment. That pre-destined a long history of conflict between Russians and native Americans.

  From the harbor, Alexandra and the officers and crews of her three ships, hiked all the way to the top of Castle Hill to where Baranoff’s Castle perched as the trading emporium and as a menacing symbol of Russian authority until 1867 when the Americans purchased the entirety of Alaska from Russia—which had ruled it for 125 years–in what became known as the best land deal ever completed by an American. The castle—so-called—was only a large two-story, ascetically drab, rectangular brick building with a cupola on top as a nod to its Russianness. It was built in 1836. Alexandra and her captains introduced themselves to the American governor of the island and secured permission to carry on extensive trade on the present voyage and for a promised number of return visits in the future.

  The crews headed back to the wharfs to supervise the off-loading of the ship’s cargo followed by the on-loading of goods from Sitka and from inland Alaska. The crew off-loaded the boxes of nearly a ton of opium for the native workers, Asian silk and other handicrafts, European men’s wool suits, women’s formal dresses, calico dresses for the natives, well-fitting shoes, boots, modern winterware beaver hats, Russian fine dress fur coats—considered a luxury even by the capable seamstresses among the Aleuts—and the latest fashions in feathered hats and bonnets. Aleut/Unangan people came in droves from the kiks ádi’s traditional tribal fishing camp with sea otter, bear, cougar, and beaver skins collected by the natives and carefully supervised by the Russian Alaska Company promyshlenniks [fur traders] and boxloads of hand-made native clothing, toys, and statuary—the most valuable of which was walrus ivory and whale bone scrimshaw pieces.

  The statues had black writing and pictures as well as being intricately carved–all of which was a match for the finest Chinese ivory carvings sold in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The native crews replenished the ships’ larders with fresh fruits and vegetables grown in greenhouses, clean, fresh water from Fish Bay Creek, fresh and dried salmon and halibut, and great slabs of fresh moose meat and dried moose, elk, deer, reindeer, and caribou. On their own initiative, the crew ordered enough of the dried meats to be able to sell them in the ever-enthusiastic Asian markets yearning for new foods to try.

  While that work carried on in a professional fashion without her, Alexandra and her captains set about to see the island and its cathedral and businesses. They first visited the Russian Bishop’s house which was still in the service of the remaining Russian population. The well-maintained building was constructed of vividly painted spruce wood. The cathedral—in the era of Russian domination—was emblematic of the Russian Orthodox Church authority over a diocese that stretched from California to the Siberian Kamchatka peninsula. It was as colorfully painted as St. Basil’s in Red Square in Moscow with a freshly painted blue onion cupola with white stars. The Cathedral of Saint Michael, the Archangel, was the earliest orthodox cathedral built in North America. Its walls were built with logs of native wood with clapboard siding, and multiple domes made of copper with a well-aged green patina and roofs of well-made wood shingles.

  The Russians had not realized how much nostalgia they had for their own culture. They entered the cathedral with due solemnity and reverence. Upon seeing the silver plated icon of Our Lady of Kazan–the Sitka Madonna, and festival icon of St. Michael–Alexandra felt an overwhelming urge to return briefly to her religious roots and to worship. The entire setting was conducive to the most spiritual of feelings in the well-educated group of Russians. They marveled and felt great emotion as they took in the royal doors in the center of the Ikonostasis—the ornate wall of gold and multi-colored icons and orthodox religious paintings—which separated the nave from the sanctuary. The captain of the security vessel, the Tarasova Lady, came from a family of glass makers; and the chandelier captivated him as one of the most treasured of the items in the cathedral. The silk and brocade vestments, handmade bells, the large icon of the Last Supper that decorated the tops of the royal doors, the clock in the bell tower, and the large library containing books in the Russian, Tlingit, and Aleut languages were on display and captured the interest and imagination of the well-educated officers—especially Alexandra.

  Like other Russian Orthodox churches and cathedrals, this one was distinguished by its intentional impression of verticality and by the bright colors providing a striking contrast with the flat Russian/Alaskan landscape so often covered in snow. This Muscovite Baroque church had the same tiered structure of traditional Russian log churches throughout rural Russian and Alaska. Like those churches, the Cathedral of Michael, the Archangel, was oriented East and West. The main entrance of the building at the West end was dark; and when the faithful entered through that door, they left the dark world sin behind and exited through a glorious golden portion of the cathedral which touched a deep emotion signifying salvation in the hearts of the believers. The main cathedral’s striking onion dome was topped by a bright, shining, golden, three-bar orthodox cross.

  Two servants of the American governor of Sitka invited the officers to an informal lunch at the castle, which proved to be a very beneficial hour for Alexandra and her ships because she was able to meet with the U.S. naval commander, a generous man. Besides the governor and his wife, and the navy captain and his wife, several of the most prominent citizens—Russian pioneer family descendants who chose to remain when America took possession—were happy to greet the Russians and enthusiastically started up discussions in their native language with the well-spoken Russian merchant sea farers. Alexandra was impressed with the independent qualities and character of the families: the Kashavaroffs, the Kostromitinoffs, the Bolshanins, and the Shutzoffs, all of whom were anxious for news from their former homeland.

  The important conversation, however was with Captain Oliver MacTavish, USN. He was charmed by Alexandra, as were most men she met. He had the opportunity to practice his rudimentary Russian with a gently correcting young woman, an attractive one at that.

  After the customary pleasantries passed, Alexandra asked Capt. MacTavish, “How dangerous do you think our return passage is likely to be?”

  “I understand that you are an able sea captain, Mrs. Yusupov; and in all probability you will be able to navigate back out into the open ocean and find your way back to Vladivostok. My concern for you and for all ships le
aving American shores for Asia and East Russia is the presence of so many pirates. I am sure you are well aware of the Red Flag Fleet.”

  “Unfortunately, all too aware, Capt. MacTavish.”

  “As capable as you are, I regret to inform you that this is a particularly unsettled time in the Pacific. Pirates now seem to rule the China seas, and the combined American, German, French, Chinese, Japanese, and British, navies are hard put to get control of those nearly lawless seas. It is my very strong recommendation that you allow my fleet of ships to accompany you on your trip home. Frankly, we are itching for a fight; and this may be our chance to save some legal vessels and crews, but also, to strike a blow for the rule of law on the oceans. What do you think?”

  “I have always been able to take care of my ships and crews, Captain. What is so different now?”

  “Let me show you this week’s newspapers in from Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Chosŏn. There is a particularly worrisome article by the taipan of the Jardine-Matheson Company. I understand you are familiar with the company, are you not, Mrs. Yusupov?”

  “I am. In fact, I am involved in business dealings with Taipan Sir James Nicolas Sutherland Matheson. Are you acquainted with him?”

  “I am, and the navy works closely with him and his company in these matters. So, I think you should take to heart what he has to say and give a studied decision regarding my offer of protection.

  He showed her three recent newspapers, less than a month old–Garakuta chinpō, from Tokyo, only in Japanese; the North China Herald, from Shanghai, only in Chinese; the Hansŏng Sunbo Newspaper from Seoul, Korea, only in Hanmun Korean; and the China Mail from Hong Kong, which reported in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, all prominently featuring the taipan’s article. The articles were essentially the same except for minor translational differences.

  Office of the Taipan, Jardine-Matheson Company

  British Protectorate of Hong Kong

  20 October, 1879

  This report comes from the combined efforts of the British East India Company, the Jardine-Matheson Company, the Foreign Ministry of France, the Foreign Office of Great Britain, and the office of the First Lord of the Admiralty, London. In brief, it is our collective opinion based on a high degree of assurance, that the waters of the East China Sea, the South China Sea, the Bay of Bengal, the Strait of Malacca, the Sea of Japan, the waters of the Indonesian Archipelago, the Philippine Sea, and the Strait of Singapore, are unsafe for any unprotected travel—personal, commercial, or diplomatic. The governments of the above captioned entities offer their assistance by providing armed escorts and marine soldiers to those who make a proper request. However, be mindful of the extent of the danger from the great hordes of pirates and realize that there will be significant delays. We cannot be responsible for loss of life or property for anyone venturing into these danger plagued waterways unescorted.

  Signed:

  Sir James Nicolas Sutherland Matheson, 1st Baronet

  Tai-pan, Jardine-Matheson & Co.

  Alexandra wanted to be able to say that she made any and all voyages on her own and without any kind of interventional help by any man. But she was more of a pragmatist than she was an impetuous and arrogant girl, attributes she recognized as her worst character flaws.

  She smiled in spite of her personal misgivings and said, “You win, Captain. Your evidence and arguments are too persuasive. When can we set sail for Vladivostok?”

  “I have already sent for a naval force to join us in the Sitka harbor tomorrow. Now that we are in agreement, I can tell you that a British Expeditionary force will set sail from Manila tomorrow, and the Jardine-Matheson combat security forces will sail into the East China Sea from Shanghai the day after tomorrow. Japan, China, and Korea—what you call Chosŏn–have offered three fighting junks each. I confess that I don’t expect much from them, but we fight with the navy we have.”

  Three days later, the last American ships assembled in Sitka Harbor; and their captains and crews came under the strict maritime command of Captain Oliver MacTavish. Bowing to the superior fire power of the USS Jamestown, the greater experience of its navy gunners and marine contingent, and the unquestioned authority granted by the Department of the Navy of the United States, even the civilian combat ready forces were glad to join the flotilla of twelve US naval vessels, and fourteen seasoned hard men in their well-tested ships in fights against the scourge of Asian piracy.

  Of the US Navy’s seventy-four gun-ships of the line, eighteen, including the large Washington, Independence, and Franklin, were dispatched to the Mediterranean to quell the Barbary Pirate attacks; and sixteen of them remained on service patrols there. Nine of those were in Sitka Harbor and ready for immediate action under Captain MacTavish; and another six arranged to meet the MacTavish force in the South China Sea. Commodore Matthew Perry led the Perry Expedition of four ships to Japan in 1853, and two of the four remained on patrol duty in and around the Sea of Japan. The captains, crew, and marines of those two ships were bored to distraction and were overjoyed to be part of a real fight. Captain MacTavish was comforted to have such a robust armed force, and Alexandra quietly saw the armed force as her own. They set sail the next day.

  Luzon Strait, South China Sea, off the outer coast of Taiwan on board the Far East Transporter, November 30, 1879

  A fleet of forty-two Red Flag Fleet ships left their home base on the tip of Bintan Island, Indonesia, passed through the Malacca and Singapore Straits and into the heavily traveled major shipping lane stretching from the westernmost corner of Malaysia and into the South China Sea. They traveled under cover of darkness undetected, aided by a dense storm cloud. They could not resist and dispatched one pirate junk to capture an overloaded coal ship sailing between Singapore and Pontianak, a port on the western coast of the large Indonesian island of Borneo. The Pini 5 recognized the hopelessness of their situation and ran up flags of surrender. Fifty Malay men wearing torn shirts of chain-mail and carrying razor sharp machetes, their faces bronzed by dirt and sun, boarded the ship, took everything of value off the ship, including personal belongings of the officers and crew. They screamed at the hapless people on board the ship, smashed the rescue boats, set fire to the ship and escaped quickly enough to rejoin the forty-two other pirate ships. They saw this as good joss; it would be easy pickings from here on out, just as it always was.

  The heavily armed US Navy flotilla with the Far East Transporter safe in the center of the security and combat ships, moved more swiftly now than in the past several days when they fought their way through a prolonged tropical storm which kicked up heavy seas and drenched the ships until they could not make forward progress. This morning, however, the weather was clearing.

  The third mate was drowsy, having just been awakened to serve as the mate of the morning watch. It was shortly after 0430, and he was waiting for the two bells to sound indicating that it was 0500. It was They had successfully sailed from Sitka—only accessible by sea, and then only with the sturdiest of ocean-going vessels–through Alaska’s Inside Passage into the open ocean and were four days. It was going to be a clear day; the day-peep light was light enough to see a few hundred yards out across the mirror calm sea. He looked at a dark shape off the port bow well to the southwest. Was it a new storm beginning to close in?

  He could not draw a conclusion; so, he called out, “Vessels, ho.”

  On second thought he called, “Two bells, and all’s well.”

  He was still uneasy about the call of “all’s well”. Had he been looking at the other secure ships in the flotilla surrounding his? There was something there. What was it? It was getting a little lighter. His senses were now fully awake and alert. He was now sure that it was not a something but a host of things…almost certainly ships…maybe four hundred yards distant. A rogue lightening flash lit up the things for less than half a second but enough to show a field of bright red.

  His pulse quickened; his blood pressure went high enough to start a headache. He knew the re
st of the crew–to say nothing of the seasoned naval sailors and marines–would give him a tongue lashing that he would not live down for weeks if he got everyone up on a false alarm. He dithered; then, he made up his mind. Better to be scorned as a fool than to be the man who could have saved all his mates and failed because of anxiety.

  He clanged the alarm bells and shouted, “Ships ho. Red sails. Looka Chinee pirates!”

  The Far East Transporter came alive like a kicked ant hill. Within minutes, the men on her three ships were in their fighting positions but keeping a low enough profile to prevent the pirates from realizing the magnitude of their readiness. Through her new hand-held nautical night vision telescope—28 inches long closed and 34 inches extended—which was long, heavy, and rather cumbersome, but had excellent optics. She was able to see the red junk sails plowing towards her. The end holding the objective lens was 82mm– 3.25mm–to yield such clear images. She was able to identify the bow of the well-known Chinese junk Ning-Po, which was infamous for its success as a smuggler in the Yellow Sea. In a few minutes she was able to count forty—more or less—red sails thus erasing any hope that she was about to encounter friends. Her body guard, Stenka, looked through the telescope a few minutes later when day was beginning to break and confirmed the ominous findings.