Yakshin Bay (Russian: Guba Yakshina) is a small bight in the western Sea of Okhotsk. It is 29 km (about 18 mi) wide and indents the southwest side of Bolshoy Shantar Island. The bay is entered between Capes Raduzhnyy to the west and Filippa to the east. The Yakshin River flows into the head of the bay. There is ice in the bay from December to July. Tides rise 4.9 m (16 ft) at springs, with the flood current flowing in a counterclockwise direction round the bay and the ebb in the reverse direction. These tidal currents may reach 3.5 to 4 knots near the entrance of the bay but are less than 2 knots at its head.National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. (2014). Sailing Directions (Enroute): East Coast of Russia. U.S. Government, Springfield, Virginia.
History
American whaleships targeting bowhead whales visited Yakshin Bay from 1858 to 1889.Endeavor, of New Bedford, September 12–15, 1858, Nicholson Whaling Collection (NWC).E. F. Herriman, of San Francisco, September 19–21, September 28, October 10–13, 1889, George Blunt White Library (GBWL). They called it Big Shantar BightSea Breeze, of New Bedford, August 12–14, 1874, GBWL. or the Forks of Big Shantar.Milo, of New Bedford, August 31, 1861, Kendall Whaling Museum (KWM). Ships anchored in the bay to send boats out to cruise for whales,Favorite, of Fairhaven, August 26, 1860, KWM. to get wood and waterJava, of New Bedford, September 17–19, 1866, KWM. or seek shelter from strong winds,Milo, of New Bedford, September 6–8, 1861, KWM. and to smoke the ship for rats.Bart Gosnold, of New Bedford, August 24, 1863, GBWL. Boats were also sent ashore to collect berriesE. F. Herriman, of San Francisco, September 20, 1889, GBWL. and gather musselsFavorite, of Fairhaven, August 25, 1860, KWM. and clams.Favorite, of Fairhaven, September 20, 1860, KWM.
The rusting remains of a 19th-century whaling station (perhaps American), including a steam engine and a meat grinder, exist at the head of the bay.
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