Alexander Sibiryakov (Russian Александр Сибиряков) was a steamship that was built in Scotland in 1909 as Bellaventure, and was originally a seal hunting ship in Newfoundland.

[8] On 2 April 1914 Bellaventure, commanded by Captain Isaac Randell, was off the northern coast of Newfoundland taking part in a seal hunt.

In 1919, in the North Russia intervention in the Russian Civil War, United Kingdom forces in Arkhangelsk took control of both ships, and Ellerman's Wilson Line was appointed to manage Bellaventure.

[5][6] Alexander Sibiryakov made the first successful crossing of the Northern Sea Route in a single navigation without wintering.

Alexander Sibiryakov reached the Japanese port of Yokohama after 65 days, having covered more than 2,500 miles (4,000 km) in the Arctic seas.

This was regarded as a heroic feat of Soviet polar seamen and Chief of Expedition Otto Schmidt and Captain Vladimir Voronin were received with many honors at their return to Russia.

On 25 August 1942 during Operation Wunderland the Kriegsmarine heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer attacked her off the northwest shore of Russky Island in the Nordenskiöld Archipelago.

Alexander Sibiryakov also sent a wireless telegraph signal that warned east and west bound Allied convoys of the attacks, enabling them to avoid the area.

One crewman, stoker Pavel Vavilov, managed to reach Beluha Island and was rescued by a Soviet ship 34 or 35 days later.