Martin Spangberg

Martin Spangberg or Martyn Petrovich Shpanberg (Мартын Петрович Шпанберг) was a Danish naval lieutenant in Russian service who took part with his compatriot Vitus Bering in both Kamchatka expeditions as second in command. He is best known for finding a sea route to Japan and exploring the Kuril Islands (one of which, Shikotan, was renamed Shpanberg by the Russians in 1796).

In 1738, Spangberg was in command of the first Russian naval squadron to visit the island of Honshu. The Russians landed in a scenic area which is now part of the Rikuchu Kaigan National Park. Despite the prevalent policy of sakoku, the sailors were treated with politeness if not friendliness. This was the first diplomatic encounter of the Russians and the Japanese. Spangberg left a brief account of this expedition. He died in 1761.