Historical chronicle of events
(Kryvyi Rih City)
First settlements (1734-1775)
Foundation of the postal station, first geological researches
Military settlement, village, small town. Systematic geological explorations (1802-1880)
Beginning of the iron ore extraction. Industrial development (1881-1899)
Kryvorizhzhya: XIX century - results
1900 - 1917
1917 - 2002
1734 - 1775
First settlements
I734 - Inhulets palanka was founded. Kryvyi Rih was mentioned among
the villages and winter-abodes, which belonged to Inhulets palanka.
1761 - Winter-abode Kryvyi Rih was mentioned.
St. Mykolay church was mentioned as existing in 1761 in the article of archbishop
Rosanov «Chronological and historical description of churches of Kherson and
Tavrychesk eparchies».
1769 - In Kryvyi Rih stay army detachments under colonel Skydan.
1770 - Headquarters of Zaporizka Sich Kosh is situated in Kryvyi Rih.
The remains of fortifications were located near the tumulus Tsareva Mohyla.
At present they are destroyed by accessways in open-cast mine N3 of Novokryvorizkiy
Ore Mining and Processing Enterprise.
1774 - Academician Huldenshtedt visited Kryvyi Rih region and made its
first scientific description. He mentioned black micaceous slate working in
the area of junction of Inhulets and Saksahan rivers. Huldenshtedt wanted also
to check the legend that he had heard about Georgian tsarevitch Oleksandr, who
had found in our land iron ore and other precious metals. The academician had
found neither here.
1775 - After the end of the Russian-Turkish War in 1774 Russian authorities
had opened a new post road, which connected Kremenchuh with Kinburn and Ochakiv,
were Russian troops stayed.
1775 - 1799
Foundation of the postal station
First geological researches
On April 25 (May 8 - New Style) 1775 in the tract Kryvyi Rih was founded
one of the postal stations of this post road, were in temporary huts settled
5 cossacks to execute post services. Modern city derives from the settlement,
which arouse from the postal station.
1779 - Ensign Beyer made first topographical survey of the outskirts,
where 20 thousand dessiatinas of the land were alloted to Kryvyi Rih.
1781 - Academician Vasyl Zuyev visited Kryvyi Rih. He was the first
to point out the availability of iron ore resources in local rocks, made a brief
description of the settlement and gave an explanation of the name Kryvyi Rih:
because of meandering riverbed of the river Saksahan, where it flows into the
river Inhulets: crooked horn - crooked cape. (In Ukrainian the name of the city
Kryvyi Rih means "crooked horn").
1781 - Kryvyi Rih became a district center.
1781 - Proffesor Levanov found in Kryvyi Rih traces of silver ores,
marble, porphyry and iron ores.
In Kryvyi Rih there were 68 farmsteads, where lived 216 males.
1791 - Academician Huldenshtedt published a book "The trip through
Russia and Caucasian mountains" - the first scientific work, where Kryvorizhzhya
was described.
Kryvyi Rih drew attention of the academician P.S. Palyaas. Particularly were
noted big fields of granites and limestone, which could be used for construction.
80-ies of the XVIII century - In Kryvyi Rih started vast breaking of schist (roofing
slate), which was used in quantity for roofs and floors in the city Mykolayiv.
1799 - In the village Kryvyi Rih live 762 people: 407 mails and 345
females.
Kryvyi Rih was visited by the professor V. Izmaylov, who underlined that the
farmers made boards for tables, slate pencil ant etc. from schist.
1802-1880
Military settlement, village, small town.
Systematic geological explorations
1802 - Was issued a book of Professor V. Izmaylov "A trip to meridional
Russia in 1799 in the form of letters, published by Volodymyr Izmaylov",
where trades of the Kryvorizhzhya inhabitants were described.
1803 - In the outskirts of Kryvyi Rih carried out investigation berggemworen
Vasyl Pylenko, who "found iron ores in abundance near Kryvyi Rih and village
Shesternya" (according to the report of captain Semechkin).
1804 - Mr. Haskoyn - head of the Mining department of Russia - produced
to the Minister of Finance extracts from the report of berggemworen V. Pylenko
about iron ores near Kryvyi Rih.
1804 - In Kryvyi Rih reside 1623 inhabitants, there are 226 houses.
1816 - Earl K.H. Razumovskyi, who traveled along southern Russia, mentioned
Kryvyi Rih limestone in his notes.
1817 - Kryvyi Rih is mentioned in the "List of state settlements
of Kherson and Oleksandriya districts (uyezds), which in 1816-1817 were turned
into military settlements".
There were in Kryvyi Rih 482 farmsteads, 1336 males, 849 females. Annually
there were 2 fairs: on the 9th and 15th of May, which lasted for 2 days each.
In Kryvyi Rih in 1817 placed 6th and 7th squadrons of Buhskyi Ulan regiment,
which were later moved into village Kazanka. In Kryvyi Rih placed 3rd and 4th
squadrons. ("Along the Yekateryninska railway", 1st edition, Yekaterynoslav,
1903).
August 20, 1832 - was born Oleksandr Mykolayovych Pol (died in 1890)
- the initiator of the commercial mining of iron ores, famous public figure
of Yekaterynoslav province, historian, archaeologist, collector. Pol's collection
of antiquities was one of the biggest in Russia, part of the collection was
transferred as a donation to the Yekaterynoslav (Dniepropetrovsk) regional historical
museum (in 1906 and 1911), which was named after Pol till 1940.
1833 - In Kryvyi Rih there are 539 farmsteads, 28 mills, 1 church,
there reside 1681 males and 1674 females, proprietors - 120, mates - 866, horses
- 1110, bullocks - 1188, non-plough cattle - 814, sheep - 2630.
1836 - In Kryvyi Rih started research works mining official Kulshyn
by the order of Novorosiysk governor-general. The works had been carried out
for 2 years and gave various data about minerals of the land.
The old post road for the forces, bounding through Kryvyi Rih, was abolished
(from Kremenchuh till Ochakiv) .
1837 - In Kryvyi Rih there are 586 farmsteads.
1838 - there are 596 farmsteads.
1844 - In Kryvyi Rih there are 596 farmsteads.
1857 - military settlement Kryvyi Rih was given the rank of the village.
1859 - In Kryvyi Rih reside actually (from the former Buhskyi Ulan
regiment) - 998 people, non-combatant - 208, male children - 10, female children
- 69 (excluding children of the lower rank). In 1859 were born 2 males, 8 females,
was 1 marriage, 2 females died.
1860 - Kryvyi Rih was given the rank of the small town.
1865 - In Kryvyi Rih came for the first time the former professor of
the Mining Institute Barbot-de-Marpi, who studied in 1866-1867 the minerals
of the basin.
1866 - Mr. O.M. Pol, on examining Dubova gully, particularly for archaeological
purposes, discovered the outcrop of the high-grade iron ore deposit.
The beginning of the archaeological study of the land: archeological dig of
O. Pol in Haydamatska cave of Dubova gully in the Kovalskyi gully (present-day
Mudryona).
1869 - Was issued "Geological studies of the Kherson province"
of Barbot-de-Marpi. Lieutenant commander Semechkin writes in his "Notes":
"In that work the description of the place near the rivers Saksahan and
Inhulets in the outskirts of Kryvyi Rih is based and complied almost only on
the works of Kulshyn" ("The notes of lieutenant commander Semechkin",
edition of the Mining Engineers Society, 1900 N7).
1870 - O. Pol applied for the fist time to the government of Russia
for the construction of the railway, which would be able to join coal mines
of Donetsk basin with Kryvyi Rih iron mines.
1871 -O.Pol started systematic exploration of Kryvyi Rih ores. He spent
in all for these purposes more than 20 thousand rubles. By the recommendation
of the famous geologist Mr. Berigard Von Kott O. Pol invited German mining engineer
Schtripelmann to explore the ore region. (Rubin P. Kryvyi Rih basin and its
iron ores. Mining magazine. 1888, vol. 1).
1872 - In Kryvyi Rih started to work mining engineer Schtripelmann,
who stated the availability in the region of the mighty deposit of iron ores
with the content of iron 70 %.
Detailed researches were carried out then by the order and for the money of
O. Pol by the German bergmeister Hartung and also, by the order of the government,
by mining engineers Ivanytskyi, Franzlein and Feliene. (Shymanovskyi M.F. Kryvyi
Rih deposit of the iron ores. Mining magazine. 1892, N6).
1873 - In the southern part of Kryvyi Rih iron-ore basin between Kryvyi
Rih and Lastovka proved deposits Mr. Feodosyev. Near the village Oleksandriv
Dar (Rakhmanivka) first was revealed manganous ore (earlier than in Mykolaiv).
In Leipzig was published the brochure of Mr. Schtripelmann "Sudrussland
Mageteisen und Sisenglantztatten" about the researches, made in 1872. In
the same year it was published in russian in St. Petersburg in the translation
of O. Pol (Mining magazine, 1883, vol.1).
For obtaining the right to carry out the iron ore working in Kryvyi Rih, O.
Pol concluded the Agreement with the Farmers Association for 30 years and then
in 1875 the Agreement was prolonged for 55 years more. (Materials for the appraisal
of Kherson province's lands, Kherson, 1890, vol. 6, pp. 869-877).
1874 - The first Congress of the Mining Industrialist of the South
of Russia supported a construction of the railway "from Yekaterynoslav
to Kryvyi Rih and further till Znamensko-Mykolayivska line of 220 versts"
(233,2 km, 1 verst = 1,06 km) (Fomin P. Mining and metallurgical industry of
the south of Russia. Moscow, 1915).
Professor Klemm carried out the investigation from Pryvorotnya gully till Kryvyi
Rih along the Saksahan river. (Tanatar I. Essay in the articles "The Ore",
Kryvyi Rih 1922).
13.04.1874 - By the Imperial Russian Technical Society was appointed
a committee under the chairmanship of Mr. A. A. Ioss in order to "investigate
the reliability of iron ore and other mineral resources deposits, found in the
outskirts of the village Kryvyi Rih" ("The notes of lieutenant commander
Semechkin", edition of the Mining Engineers Society, 1900).
22.04.1874 - Was approved the railway project from Yekaterynoslav (Dniepropetrovsk)
through Kryvyi Rih to Kazanka station. The project was not realized. The war
of 1877-1878 put off its realization and after the war it occurred to be forgotten.
A new petitions of O. Pol were unavailing.
1878 - Ore resources of the land were studied by mining engineers Kontkevych,
Shymakovskyi, Domcher.
1879 - The studies of Mr. Kontkevych continued in Kryvyi Rih basin.
1880 - Was published Kontkevych's work "Geological description
of Kryvyi Rih outskirts, Kherson province". It was published in the Mining
magazine. The work became the stage in Kryvyi Rih basin's geology studies.
13.05.1880 - In pursuance of the Act of underground mining, approved
by Supreme, the Ministry of State Property of Russia approved and issued through
Government Senate "Directions on supervision of private mining works of
mining regions of European Russia" and "Rules of safe underground
working". These directions became the basic document, which regulated mine
working in Kryvyi Rih till the end of the 19th century.
P. Pol founded "French society of Kryvyi Rih ores" with capital stock
6 million francs.
In Russia, on the eve of the beginning of Kryvyi Rih iron ores working, was
extracted 62 489 424 poods of iron ore. (1 023 724, 2 tons, 1 pood = 16,38 kg).
The number of the active mines was 966, inactive - 1124, including the South
of Russia - 2,74 million poods (33 972,1 tons) (Mining magazine, vol.2, 1882).
1881-1899
Beginning of the iron ore extraction
Industrial development
1881 - Western part of the valley of the river Saksahan was explored
by Mr. G. Prekdel.
15.05.1881 - Kryvyi Rih Anonymous French Society started the extraction
of iron ore on the awkward lands of Kryvyi Rih Farmer Society (Saksahan mine).
"South Russian Mining List" informed about the issue of the Decree
about alienation of private property for the construction of Kryvyi Rih and
Baskunchan railways (vol.4).
In the "South Russian Mining List" (1881, vol.2, page 25) in the
article "Pleasant events in Kryvyi Rih" for the first time was mentioned
about the beginning of iron ore extraction.
Geologist V. Domger made researches along Kryvyi Rih (later Yekateryninska)
railway.
20.02.1881 - "Regulation about temporary management of Kryvyi Rih and
Baskunchan railways construction" was affirmed.
The Second Congress of the Mining Industrialists in St. Petersburg petitioned
(and later the law was passed) for bringing in a five-kopeck duty for cast iron
to finance the construction of Kryvyi Rih railway.
1882 - In the mining section of All-Russian Fair in Moscow the Joint-Stock
Company of Kryvyi Rih Iron Ores represented the samples of ores and projects
of field development "on a broad scale".
Started the construction of the 151m long bridge across the river Inhulets
according to the project of the architect M. A. Bolelyubskyi.
1883
On the plant of Novorossiysk Society was carried out the experiment of ore
melting, which gave positive results.
In the outskirts of Kryvyi Rih were extracted 1,5mln poods of ore (24 500 tons)
by 100 workers. In Russia in all were extracted about 60,9mln poods of ore (997
542 tons).
The investigation in Kryvyi Rih region was carried out by engineer V. Domger,
who later worked out the system of Saksahan iron ore zone.
1884
Were extracted 7,1mln poods (116 298 tons) of iron ore. The workers were governed
by mining engineer S. Kontkevych..
Main consumers of Kryvyi Rih ore:
1) Yuzovskyi's plant of Novorosiysk Society,
2) Gut Bazhkov's plant near Dombrov station,
3) Bryansk Rail Plant Society.
By the administration of the Bryansk Rail Plant Society was decided to build
own Metallurgical Works (future Oleksandrivskyi, later Southern Metallurgical
Works) for the processing of Kryvyi Rih ores.
18.05. - Yekateryninska railway, 477 versts (505,6 km) long, from Yasinovata
station through Kryvyi Rih till Dolynska station was opened.
1885
Iron ores were extracted by Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Society (about 2,6mln poods
- 42 588 tons) by 200 workers and Novorosiysk society from Likhman's mine (about
400 000 poods - 6 552 tons) by 80 workers.
In 1881-1886 were extracted about 6,3 million poods (103 194 tons) of iron
ore in the outskirts of Kryvyi Rih.
Mines in estates of the landowners Holkivska (Artemivskyi) and Rostkovska (Zhovtnevyi)
were opened.
Started works in Kherson part of Kryvyi Rih region at Likhman's mine, situated
near the village Hdantsivka. It was rented by Novorosiysk society for 60 years
from villager Likhman.
Novorosiysk society rented from landowner Bilokrysenko a mine, which was later
purchased .
In 1885 in Russia worked 131 plants with blast furnaces and 32 206 604 poods
(527 544,2 tons) of cast iron were smelted. In Russia were extracted 66 768
821 pood of iron ore (1 093 673,3 tons)
1886
Was opened a mine of Novorosiysk society - Yuzovskyi (later Frunze mine).
South-Russian Dnipro Society rented a land from landowner Yu. A. Halkovska
for 12 years and opened a mine.
The same Society rented from landowner Shmakov 1 362 dessiatinas of land for
iron ore exploration. 1000 dessiatinas of land were rented by the same Society
from landowner Rostkovska for 36 years.
Bryansk Society rented from landowner P. H. Kharchenko 672 dessiatinas of land
for 36 years and than opened Oleksandrivskyi mine.
The iron ore was extracted by:.
1. Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Society - about 3,3 million poods (54 054 tons).
2. Novorosiysk Society extracted about 1,3 million poods (21 294 tons) on 2
mines.
3. South-Russian Dnipro Society - about 296 000 poods (4 848,5 tons).
4. Bryansk Plant Society carried out exploration.
Mr. Pirotskyi created "Electric motor wag", which lately started
to be widely used in mining works.
(The information was taken from the thesis of Ye.N. Romanchenko "Iron ore extraction in Kryvyi Rih basin till 1917", Sverdlovsk, 1957)
1888
On Bilokrysivskyi mine of Novorosiysk society (Frunze) were installed two steam
engines.
In "Mining List" (N6) was published an article of Mr. Shymanovskyi
M.F. "Iron ores and mines of Kryvyi Rih", where the author gives a
new view on the scheme of ore deposition in Kryvyi Rih basin.
Bryansk Society opened a new mine at the land of admiral Korenytskyi (worked
till december 1892).
The Minister of the State Property of Russia appointed State Councilor Mr.
Dolynskyi L. a district engineer of South-Western Mining District and obliged
him to supervise Kryvyi Rih extraction.
"South-Russian Dnipro Metallurgical Society" was founded.
Novorossiysk Society, which delivers ore to the Yekaterynburh railway, constructed
horse railway of "Decoville" system 9 versts long (9,5 km).
Extraction of iron ore in Kryvyi Rih basin:
- Bilokrysivsk mine of Novorossiysk Society - about 2,10 million poods (34
398 tons).
- Bozhedarivsk mine of Bryansk's Plants Society - 600 000 poods (98 280 tons),
- Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Society - about 4,0 million poods (655 200 tons).
Pokrovska Church in Karnavatka was opened.
1889
In Kryvyi Rih basin were extracted about 16 million poods of iron ore (262
080 tons) by four joint-stock companies (Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Society, Novorossiysk
Society, Bryansk Society and South-Russian Dnipro Metallurgical Society) with
1043 workers.
"Mining List" (N8) published the information, that "French Society
starts in spring the construction of one blast furnace at the village Hdantsivka
near Kryvyi Rih with cast iron production of 1 million poods annually. The construction
of the blast furnace is carried out according to the contract by engineer Bass,
the former constructor of the Kamensk Plant" It was the matter of the construction
of ironworks (former plant "Kommunist", at present Public Corporation
"Mining Engineering Plant").
1890
In Russia were extracted 106,26 million poods of iron ore: in Kryvyi Rih basin
from 7 mines - about 19,27 million poods.
16.06 - Was established subsidiary cash for the workers of Kryvyi Rih
Iron Ore Society.
17.06 - A foundation of the blast furnace in Hdantsivka Plant was laid.
26.06 - In Yekaterynoslav (Dnipropetrovsk) at the age of 60 died one
of the most famous public figures of the South of Russia, industrialist, archaeologist,
nobleman, State Councilor Oleksandr Mykolayovych Pol. He was awarded by St.
Volodymyr and Hanna orders.
1891
Junior scientific assistant, professor of the Mining Institute N.D. Kotsovskyi
carried out geological works in the area of the Saksahan branch of Yekateryninska
railway, which had at that time being built.
01.03 - A permission for the prolongation of the Saksahan branch for
17 versts was received.
"Donetsk Society of Iron- and Steelworks" with basic capital 1,6
million rubles in gold was founded. Main partners of the society are French
capitalists.
The Society became later one of the biggest consumers of Kryvyi Rih ore.
In Kryvyi Rih basin on 8 mines were extracted about 25,6 million poods of ore;
in Russia on the 683 mines - 119,56 million poods.
Bryansk Society again started the extraction of iron ores on the land of the
landowner Kharchenko and Admiral Korenytskyi, which would be stopped on the
land of the latter in 1892.
In Yekaterynoslav was founded Mining Administration, similar to those, acting
in other mining industrial centers. (Decree of the Emperor of 13.05.1891).
Mr. S.N. Kolachevskyi rented 254 dessiatinnas of land from Mayor's widow Mrs.
Zaytseva with the purpose to start ore extraction.
On Hdantsivka Ironworks were laid 3 blast furnaces with the capacity 200 m3,
hight 18 m, daily productivity 400 poods
1892
On 9 mines were extracted 29,5 million poods of iron ores; on Russia's 658
mines in all were extracted 124 789 598 poods.
Society of the Dubova Balka mines was founded. It was approved by the Supreme
on 03.12.1892.
In the article "Kryvyi Rih deposits of iron ores", published in the
"Mining magazine" N10, engineer M.F.Shymanovskui estimated Kryvyi
Rih reserves of iron ores in 700 million poods.
On Hdantsivka Ironworks were smelted about 395 000 poods of cast iron.
By Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Society was started the ore mining of Inhulets mine
near the village Hdantsivka, in the estate of baroness Hervat by engineer Kuznetsov
near the village Oleksandriv Dar (now Rakhmanivka).
French Anonimous Society of Dubova Balka Mines bought for 250 000 rubles the
ownership of the disposal of business affairs of O.M. Pol and the estate named
Dubova Balka (now mine " Bilshovyk")..
1895
"Kryvyi Rih Society of Dubova Balka Mines" suggested the farmers
of the village Pokrovka, Veseli Terny region, 100 000 in cash for 46 dessiatinas
of land and to pay off all debts of the Farmers Society, and also to give 46
dessiatinas from the lands of Dubova Balka Fellowship.
Bryansk Society rented from Kryvyi Rih farmers a mine and guaranteed annual
extraction of 8 million poods with the payment of 1 kopeck per pood.
In Kryvyi Rih there are 1 162 farmsteads, 9 811 inhabitants, 3 schools, 1 hospital,
agricultural school.
The 1st hospital was opened.
The cost of land in Kryvyi Rih increased in 30 and more times in the last 25-30
years.
On Kryvyi Rih 15 mines were extracted about 66 million poods of ore. In all
in Russia on 862 mines were extracted about 178 million poods of iron ore by
34 997 workers.
On Hdantsivka Ironworks were fixed electric lighting and water supply of the
plant plumbing from electric pumps.
On the 30th of May by the Minister of the Communications of Russia was signed
a permission to construct branch lines of the railway, in particular, to prolong
the Saksahan Branch of the Yekateryninska railway to the east along the river
Saksahan till Kalachevskyi mine.
Till 1895 many industrialist, who extracted ore, concentrated their powers
on the struggle between each other for the right to extract iron ore on the
convenient lands of the Farmers Society. When in 1895 this right was given to
Bryansk Society, other bigger industrialists had started to explore on the lands
to the south of Kryvyi Rih on the both left and right sides of the river Inhulets.
In 1895 to the already working (1894) mines added new ones: Rudnev's and Kolomoytsev's
in Oleksandriya district and Dobrovolskyi's in Kherson district. The Kolomoytsev's
mine was worked by merchant Kopylov and Rudnev's, Dobrovolskyi's mine - by the
"Kryvyi Rih French Society" (" Mining List" N2, 1918)
1896
Purchase of the land for exploration of the depths hastily continued, and it
brought to the quick rise in price of land with ore deposits.
Professor P.P. Pyatnitskyi was given a financial aid (100 rubles) for geological
excursion for examining new exploratory workings in Kryvyi Rih area and Korsah-Mohyla
(near Berdyansk).
An article of P.P. Pyatnitskyi "About some peculiarities of the structure
and stratigraphy of crystalline shale to the south of Kryvyi Rih" was published.
The equipment of South-Russian Dnipro Metallurgical Society consisted of 5
ore-lifting steam engines, total power 240 horse powers, one steam locomotive,
4 steam pumps of 24 horse powers, 8 steam boilers.
In Kryvyi Rih basin on 20 mines were extracted about 70,6 million poods of
ore (1 156 428 tons), in all in Russia on 1052 mines by 38210 workers were extracted
202 642 654 poods (3 319 287 tons).
Nikopol-Maryupol Society to the south of the Kolachevskoe station rented from
landowner P.Kharchenko 25 dessiatinas of land for 10 years.
Bryansk Society rented from landowner A. Kharchenko 700 dessiatinas of land
for 12 years for establishing the mine "Puzhmirky".
Hdantsivka Ironworks smelted about 1,8 million poods of cast iron (29 484 tons).
In Yekaterynoslav and Kherson provinces worked 6 plants. They smelted more than
137,3 million poods of cast iron (2 248 974 tons). In Russia in all were smelted
197,870 million poods (3 241 111 tons).
Preliminary researches and from 1898 systematic geological survey under the
supervision of the senior geologist of the Geological Committee Mr. O.O. Mykhalskyi
were started.
On 23.05 followed a Supreme Order about the construction of the prolongation
of Saksahan branch from Kolachevska station to its junction with the main line
near the station Lyubomyrivka for the space of 85,4 versts. The works started
on 01.08.
In Kryvyi Rih there are 1 400 farmsteads and 10 010 inhabitants; in the district
there are 2 004 farmsteads and 14 257 inhabitants.
The trading house " Emerik & Co" rented from Mr. Tsybulka 315
dessiatinas of land for 30 years in 3 versts from the station Vechirniy Kut
(the station is situated on the territory of the present mine "Zhovtnevyi").
On the opposite side from the station Rokovata Verhnedniprovske Society rented
for 90 years state land in the quantity of 146 dessiatinas for ore exploration
and extraction.
(according to the materials of the book "Novorossiysk Society's Plant.
Katerynoslav, 1896)
1897
In the "Outlines of South-Russian Industry", 1897, it was written
the following: "The worker's labor on the plants, and especially on underground
mines, is very hard and requires great physical strength, that's why the owners
hire the most healty and strong people according to the preliminary medical
examination. Getting the most strong men from the population, they return half-useless
or useless for further work invalids. 15 years of uninterrupted work are enough
to make from young healthy men an early old ones…".
According to the words of the newspaper "Kyivlyanyn":
«...In Kryvyi Rih rages the epidemic of ore search».
«...Kryvyi Rih iron ore is exported to the west in a large quantity, mainly
for Polish Metallurgical Plants... »
«....The rent costs of the estates greatly increased, the ones, which costed
2-3 thousands rubles now cost 8-10 thousand and there are lot of people, who
have a desire to rent them... »
«...In Kryvyi Rih district are actively explored those lands, where the location
of iron ores may be suspected. Those lands, where the presence of ores is already
stated, considerably raise in price. Last time the farmhouses, which appeared
to stay on the ore deposits, are bought up, small farmhouses are bought up at
a price of tens of thousands of rubles at that... »
«...In Kryvyi Rih there is an active purchase of iron ore deposits and searches
of the new ones. In such a way appeared American businessmen, which negotiate
with the owner of the considerable mine about the sale of the all mine working
at a price about 7 kopecks per pood... »
In the "Mining List" N13, 1897, was published a government order
"About the duration and distribution of labour hours in the establishment
of factory-and-works industry". The working day must not exceed 11,5 hours".
In Kryvyi Rih basin on 9 mines were extracted about 107 million poods of iron
ore (1 752 660 tons). In all in Russia on 972 mines by 39490 workers were extracted
250 254 573 million poods (4 099 170 tons).
Mr. Shymanovskyi counted Kryvyi Rih iron ore reserves in 2 milliard poods.
S. Kolachevskyi bought steam locomotive of the Vildvin system.
1898
At first time a question about iron ore export was raised on the 23rd Congress
of the Mining Industrialists of the South of Russia.
On Inhulets mine (near Hdantsivka) steam hoist with the capacity of 50 horse-powers,
with the help of which trolleys with ore rise on the incline from the lower
horizons, was equipped.
On Karnavatka mine started ore extraction, in spite of separation, with the
help of underground mines.
«It happens, that ore industrialist hands in a stripping to his mine foreman
for 4,6 rubles per pood, a mine foreman handed in this work to the contractor
for 8,5 rubles, and an excavator, who made this work, got from a contractor
2,6 rubles. Such catchers of the sums, which go from ore industrialist to worker,
exist on each mine in one way or another.
At present time one can not judge the influence of big money, which fell out
of the blue into the hands of Kryvyi Rih Farmers Society and separate owners,
who sold their estates for big sums of money. It is possible to suppose that
in future Farmers Society also would not have a free access to the money, paid
in to the Province Attendance, and could not handle them at their discretion».("Iron
ore extraction in Kherson province", Kherson, 1898)
"Governmental Herald" (N99, 1898) informed, that in Kherson district
along the stream of the river Inhulets were found rich deposits of iron ore
of high quality.
On 25 mines of Kryvorizhzhya were extracted about 120 million poods of iron
ore (1 956 600 tons) by 5,5 thousand of workers.
"Mining List" (N12) wrote: "New metallurgical enterprises on
the south of Russia suffered difficulties in providing their plants with iron
ores. It is next to impossible to buy Kryvyi Rih ores. All mine working has
already been negotiated".
It is informed about further rise in prices for iron ore in Kryvyi Rih: the
ore with iron percentage 60% is sold foe 9 kopecks per pood.
"Prydniprovsk territory" informed: "... was arranged a deal
to stand down the right for ore working on one of the lots in Kryvyi Rih district...
The seller - company of profiteers, the buyer - "Diamond Mining Society".
It is significant that intermediate sellers got an extremely large dividend,
exceeding 8% of the whole sum, which was negotiated".
O. Mykhalskyi at the meeting of "Mining Engineers Society" told:
" Kryvyi Rih ore deposits can not be considered to be precisely determined
and it is too early to bury Kryvyi Rih".
On the 24th Congress of Miners was considered a question about the allocation
of military garrison in Kryvyi Rih. The Congress resolved to support a petition,
Miners expressed consent to share in expenses.
1899
Mining department sent mining engineer O.O. Mykhalskyi to investigate Inhulets
ore region.
Price of iron ore in Kryvyi Rih raised to 9-10 kopecks per pood with iron percentage
60%. For each % over this percentage 1/5 of kopeck for 1% is added.
Big deals for purchase of ore-bearing lots are made in Kryvyi Rih quite often.
One Joint-Stock Company offered the owner of a big mine Yu.O. Holkovska for
her lot of land 20 million rubles. According to the calculations of experts,
there are 2 milliard poods there.
Херсонським повітовим зборам Управою була
подана доповідь по питанню про обкладення
рудоносних земель земськими зборами.
A report about imposing of duties upon ore-bearing lands was presented to the
last Kherson district meeting by the town council.
The owners of the ore-bearing lands till that time disputed a right of imposing
of the latter. By special order Senate allowed to impose duty upon lands with
coal and ore deposits, if the latter bring in return.
In Verhnedniprovsk district of Zheltyansk volost near the village Zelene are
rented beforehand all farmers' lots of land, not excepting farmsteads.
It is difficult to determine the exact number of Kryvyi Rih mines and workers,
which were employed there. One mine appear after another, new deposits are explored,
the old mines loose their productivity.
The total extraction of ore was 359 844 648 poods (5 894 255 tons) by 48 854
workers, in Kryvyi Rih basin - about 159 million poods by 6,5 thousand of workers
(according to Loranskyi A.) A report of the Mining Department for 1899 gives
the following figures: 147,8 million poods (2 420 964 tons) by 10 157 workers
on 50 mines.
State exploring groups and state surveys are followed by flocks of invaders
and speculators. Thus just opened deposits fall into private hands, moreover
not in the hands of miners, who want to apply their money and knowledge to open
cast mining, but in the hands of those, who want to resell them for pretty penny.
Kolachevskyi bought another "Krous" steam locomotive in Germany.
In the South work 18 plants with productivity 88 million poods of cast iron
annually (1 441 440 tons), which use Kryvyi Rih ores.
On Kolachevskyi's mine workers have been striking for 2 days, demanding a rise.
The strike committee issued special leaflets
Kryvorizhzhya: XIX century - results.
Population upsurge
Kryvyi Rih entered XIX century as a volost (district) center, uniting 12 small
towns and villages. The population of military outskirts was 752 people, living
on 68 farmsteads (1799). In 1805 on 226 farmsteads lived 1628 people. From 1817
Kryvyi Rih is in the list of military settlements, here placed 2 squadrons of
General Sivers's Byhsskyi uhlan regiment. To that time relate the beginning
of civil and military architecture, when started the construction by typical
projects. In 1857 Kryvyi Rih was moved into the category of state settlement.
On 554 farmsteads lived 8644 people. From 1860 it was moved to the category
of small towns.
As a result of rapid development of industry by 80-ies of the XIX century formed
the notion of Mine district. There, except of the town and part of the basin,
situated in Kherson district, was included a group of northern mines of Verhnedniprovsk
district and settlements, situated in Oleksandriya district. In the small town
itself in 1887 were 1170 farmsteads and 8630 inhabitants. By the end of XIX
century their number raised to 20 thousand. Taking into consideration that the
modern Kryvyi Rih basin absorbed many settlements and villages of the districts
mentioned above, it is necessary to take into account that part of the inhabitants
who live outside the town.
According to the calculations of Doctor of Historical Science V. Vahratyuk
(see "Messenger of Kryvyi Rih basin", 1996, N67-68) the population
of Kryvyi Rih at the end of XIX century was:
«In Kryvyi Rih district in 1896 there were 2004 farmsteads and 14253 inhabitants.
(Kherson district).
Part of Kryvyi Rih basin, placed in the Oleksandriya district, consisted of
350 farmsteads and more than 3 thousand inhabitants. In Verhnedniprovsk lived
about 15 thousand people on 3370 farmsteads. In all in Kryvyi Rih basin at the
end of XIX century lived about 32 thousand people and there were 5940 farmsteads
(farms)».
Industrial development
At the beginning of XIX century among "large" industrial enterprises
of the town there were 3 water mills. "Joint-Stock company of Kryvyi Rih
iron ores" began the industrial development of iron ore resources in 1880.
Field operations started on 15.05.1881 at the mine "Saksahanskyi".
In 1882 in the outskirts of Kryvyi Rih were extracted 1 million poods (16,4
thousand tons) of ore by 150 workers. At the same year began the construction
of Kryvyi Rih (Yekateryninsk) railway, which played an important role in the
speeding-up of the development of industry of the region (constructed by 1884).
In 1897 Kryvyi Rih basin took the first place in ore extraction in Russia and
did not let it to anyone till 1914. A new branch of industry - metallurgical
- was founded in 1892, when the first blast furnace of Hdantsivka Ironworks
was started. The first underground mine of the basin began to function in 1886.
Since that time the underground ore extraction rapidly continued.
In 1890 in Kryvorizhzhya there were 79 mines, which produced 166,206 million
poods of ore (2 722 500 tons). By the end of XIX century 266 industrial enterprises
were acting. Working class runsup to 10 thousand people, among them about 7
thousand miners.
The table gives an idea of the ore extraction growth
| Years |
Rate of extraction |
Number of workers |
Comments |
Million
poods |
Thousand
tons |
| The beginning of the preliminary
works |
| 1882 |
1,0 |
16,4 |
150 |
|
| 1883 |
1,5 |
24,6 |
160 |
|
| 1884 |
1,2 |
19,7 |
no data |
|
| 1885 |
2,99 |
49,0 |
no data |
|
| 1886 |
4,02 |
65,8 |
160 |
|
| 1887 |
7,2 |
117,9 |
145 |
|
| 1888 |
13,15 |
215,4 |
303 |
|
| 1889 |
18,0 |
294,8 |
612 |
|
| 1890 |
19,2 |
314,5 |
1013 |
|
| 1891 |
25,6 |
419,3 |
1025 |
|
| 1892 |
30,5 |
499,6 |
985 |
|
| 1898 |
38,8 |
635,5 |
1205 |
|
| 1894 |
48,5 |
794,4 |
1738 |
5,093 million poods (83,4 thousand tons)
supplied by farmers |
| 1895 |
55,8 |
914,0 |
2147 |
1,874 million poods (30,7 thousand tons)
supplied by farmers |
| 1896 |
70,1 |
1148,2 |
2323 |
0,426 million poods (7 thousand tons)
supplied by farmers |
| 1897 |
106,7 |
1747,7 |
2660 |
|
| 1898 |
120,5 |
1973,8 |
no data |
|
| 1899 |
158,4 |
2594,6 |
7248 |
|
Culture, architecture, education
The foundation of the first school may be referred to 1817, when Kryvyi Rih
became a military settlement. Perhaps at St. Mykola Church, which was constructed,
according to some sources, in 1761 there could be a school.
Till 1888 there were no civil schools in Kryvyi Rih. In 1861 on the plans was
marked Trubnicheskaya school and the opening of the artillery one of was planned.
The first original stone houses were built in 1828. ("House of the colonel"
on Lenin Street, does not remain at present). The first 2-storeyed house was
built in 1864 (present Hrabovskyi street, house N9, historic memorial). The
highest building in Kryvyi Rih at the end of XIX century was Central Synagogue.
It was the most beautiful in the south of Russia. And it was also the first
domical house in the town (was taken down in 1947). The first stone bridge over
the river Saksahan was built in 1828 in the region of the nowadays Proriz on
Lenin street. It was demolished in 1967 during the construction of tram circle.
The most significant bridge in Kryvyi Rih basin of that time was the bridge,
built according to the architect Bilolyubskyi's project, in 1882-1884, 161 meter
long. It is situated near the dam of Karachuny reservoir and functions till
present time.
The first art memorial was unveiled in 1896 near the Hdantsivka plant. It was
a bronze bust of O.M. Pol., which was created by sculptor Edvards.
