Kukoverova Tatyana Ivanovna

(autotranslated, could have mistakes)

The years of work of the entire Kukoverov dynasty are indicated.

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Cape Orlovsko-Tersky

One of the main attractions of both Cape Orlovsko-Tersky and the entire coast of the Tersky coast is the Orlovsky lighthouse, the oldest stone lighthouse of the Kola Peninsula. The appearance of the lighthouse was necessary for sailors: not far from the cape there is the so-called “Throat of the White Sea”, a dangerous area formed by multiple currents caused by the tides, as well as a large number of underwater rocky shoals.

The lighthouse was built by the Solovetsky monks in 1841, and next to it there was a stone house to house the family of the lighthouse keeper. It should be mentioned that life in the harsh conditions of the far north did not spare the local residents: about fifty caretakers died of scurvy in the 19th century.

For forty-five years, three generations of Kukoverovs were the caretakers of the Oryol-Tersky lighthouse - Kuzma Mikhailovich in 1877-1889, until 1920 his son Alexander and later his grandson Nikolai. However, Kuzma Kukoverkova’s wife Tatyana Ivanovna Kukoverova deserves special mention. She was born into a merchant family, but became an orphan. She was sheltered by a relative, an assistant pharmacist, and taught the art of healing. After getting married, she found herself on the very edge of the earth, and was able to apply her knowledge and experience by helping local residents. She not only treated people, but also worked to improve the economic well-being of the region, sought loans and subsidies for fishermen, and also devoted time to the Water Rescue Society. It was noted that Kukoverkova was “a doctor, midwife, lawyer, educator of the people and organizer of fisheries on a new basis.” The locals appreciated and idolized Tatyana Ivanovna; she was called the “mother of the Sami” and the “Sami queen.” One day, Alexander III, dealing with the affairs of the Far North and learning from an official’s report about Kukoverkova, said: “*It is impudent to be considered a queen, even among the Lapps, let her be called the Lapp queen!” This nickname stuck.

Now 9 people permanently live at the lighthouse. The life of caretakers in the 21st century is not much different from the life of their predecessors in the 19th century. There is no television or mobile communications here, mail arrives once a month at best, and to get to the “mainland” you sometimes have to wait for a ship for several weeks.

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*June 17, 2000 (109)

Yuri BARASHKOV.*

Lighthouse keeper at Cape Orovsky

She was a wonderful woman - a talented genius with a heart that was amazingly responsive to any misfortune, to any grief. Niva magazine wrote about her - Stepan Pisakhov and Evgeny Kokovin. Tatyana Ivanovna Kukoverova is truly a legend. The modest, brave city of Archangel deserves good memory and admiration.

Tatyana Ivanovna Kukoverova came from the merchant class. She was orphaned early and was raised in an orphanage until she was nine years old. Then she was taken in by a relative who served as a medical assistant. At this time, some doctor drew attention to the inquisitive girl; Tanya helped him brew medicine, do dressings, rubbing, and operations.

She was preparing to become a sister of mercy, but her relatives married her off to the caretaker of the Oryol lighthouse in Lapland. Tatyana Ivanovna lived with him for 25 years, and after his death she herself became a lighthouse keeper and raised six children.

Tatyana Ivanovna was a selfless person. Helping the poor, she organized artels, established sales of products, and built a brick factory. The Sami called her nothing more than mother. Once, during a fire, she carried children out of the fire, and while working as a lighthouse keeper, she went to sea many times and rescued sailors and trappers. In July 1880, she rescued and rescued the crew of an English ship that crashed off Cape Gorodets.

Another time, together with the Pomor Foma Redkin, she picked up 25 people from the sunken English steamer Thomas Jol on the water. For a week, Tatyana Ivanovna treated and fed them, and when the rescued sailors sent her gifts and money, she refused to accept them.

Kukoverova spent the rest of her days in Arkhangelsk, in Solombala.

Yuri BARASHKOV.