There are many islands in Peter the Great Bay. They are sparsely populated, have beautiful, but gloomy landscapes. One of these islands of the Primorsky Territory is Reinecke. Only about twenty people live here. Romantic tourists visit these places quite actively. The mysterious island of Reynek will be discussed in today's article.
Geographical position
Reinecke Island from Vladivostok is 25 kilometers away. Its area is only 4.6 square meters. km From east to west, the length of the island is 3.5 km, from south to north - 3 km. The relief here is mostly low mountain. The highest peak is 140 meters above sea level. There are many steep cliffs to the sea and coastal areas with lagoons. Picturesque rocky shores, small bays, a variety of wild vegetation - this is what attracts tourists to the island of Reineke. In the photo located in the article, you can appreciate the beauty of local landscapes. In addition, there is a small recreation center, which is described below.
First research
The island was discovered by French and English sailors in the fifties of the XIX century. And 20 years later, the island was examined by a Russian expedition led by Captain Babkin. But it cannot be said that at the beginning of the 19th century the island of Reineke was completely uninhabited. Local historians believe that in ancient times the Manchus lived here, and later the Hunhuzes - the Manchu pirates. And the island was then called differently. Namely Sarbachou-tun.
Reinecke Island attracted special attention of the Russian authorities at the end of the 19th century. Then he got a modern name. What is known about the man after whom the island is named?
Michael Reinecke
The island discussed in today's article is Russian. However, it is named after a person with a German surname. This is not surprising, because before the revolution in our country, there were much more personalities of German and French origin in power than Russian.
Michael Reinecke came from an old Saxon family. Born in Liflyadn province, that is, in the Baltic states. Educated in St. Petersburg. In 1814, Mikhail Reineke entered the cadet corps, a year later became a midshipman.
He devoted many years to the service and study of the open spaces of the sea. For hydrographic surveys conducted in the early thirties, Reinecke was awarded a high salary, and in 1832 he was promoted to the rank of captain-lieutenant. Mikhail Reineke studied the waters of the Baltic Sea for six years, but his biographers say nothing about the exploration of Peter the Great Bay.
A scientist and naval officer passed away in 1851 in Frankfurt am Main, as director of the Hydrographic Department. The island is named after him in 1862.
Menard Enterprise
At the end of the 19th century, the island was leased to a Vladivostok merchant of French origin. August Menard organized a dairy farm, a sika deer nursery, and the extraction of natural granite. Things went well with the entrepreneur. Over time, the farm and the nursery inherited the son of a merchant. However, after the revolution, all this was nationalized. However, Menard Jr. continued to work on the island and even wrote a small work based on his own experience of observing deer. The book is called "Antler economy."
Menard, of course, did not have to do his favorite thing until the end of his days. In 1937, he was arrested and executed as an enemy of the people. The construction of the landfill began on the island. The military exterminated most of the deer.
Reineke Village
In the thirties, a fish factory was built on the island, in which about three thousand people worked. Then, a village appeared with a school, a kindergarten, a hospital and a club. The island was actively fishing for herring, flounder, crabs, scallops. Algae were also harvested here, which served to prepare agar-agar.
After the end of World War II, the island was inhabited mainly by captured Japanese. It is noteworthy that they moved through the territory of Reynek quite freely. The Japanese worked at the fish factory, in the quarries, fished, gathered mushrooms - they led a full-fledged lifestyle. It was impossible to leave the island.
The plant closed in the seventies. The barbaric fishing of fish led to the fact that its stocks were significantly reduced. Local residents were unemployed, they had to move to the mainland.
From the building of the fish factory there were only ruins. From the military training ground, which was founded in the early fifties, - the destroyed base, which tourists call the "Mummy Troll House". Probably in honor of the founder of the famous group Ilya Lagutenko, who often visited here.
Island flora
The nature here is virgin, wild. The island attracts many tourists, especially in the summer. Here, meadow flowers rhododendron and rose hips grow. Steppe vegetation goes well with the red cliffs and the remains of a sunken ship, once thrown ashore by the waves. This ship was called "Relight" and for many years served as a target for military bombing.
Among the attractions of Reineke Island are Devil's House gorge, Stone pillars, a grotto with the strange name "Marine Corps de ballet". Here you can find quite rare plants. For example, Amur linden, Mongolian oak, hornbeam. Dense thickets of thyme look peculiar. Not so long ago, scientists expressed a desire to create a cultural and tourist center on the island, the purpose of which will be to protect and restore the unique nature of the island.
Holiday Village "Reineke Island"
For tourists, excellent conditions are created here. The recreation center can accommodate up to 50 guests. Each of the wooden houses is designed for 4 people. The beach is only two hundred meters away. On the territory of the recreation center there are barbecue facilities, gazebos. On the island, vacationers sunbathe on a sandy beach, fish, take boat trips.