The Shantar Islands were explored by Russian surveyors between 1711 and 1725. Bolshoy Shantar was frequented by
American whaleships between 1852 and 1907. They hunted
bowhead whales, particularly in the
passages that separate Bolshoy Shantar from
Feklistova and
Prokofyeva. They also went ashore to obtain wood and water and hunt bears and foxes. Two whaleships were wrecked on the island. On 18 October 1858, the bark
Rajah (250 tons), of
New Bedford, was wrecked on the north side of the island during a strong
gale. Captain Ansel N. Stewart, the first officer, and 11 other men perished; the second mate and the twelve other crew members were saved four days later by the ship
Condor (349 tons), of New Bedford, Captain Samuel H. Whiteside. Five men, including the captain, were buried on the island. Items from the wreck were found on the island as late as 1865. On 30 August 1907, the
schooner Carrie and Annie (90 tons), of
San Francisco, was wrecked on the island during a gale. The crew remained stranded on Bolshoy Shantar until 11 September, when the
Russian transport
Nitzun rescued them. ==Climate==