Origin of the “200 versts” distance error in Krinov’s Tunguska account

Ascertain how the distance from Nizhne-Karelinsk to Kirensk was reported as 200 versts in E. L. Krinov’s publications (including his 1949 Russian book on the Tunguska event and the 1966 English volume), despite the original “Sibir” newspaper article of July 2, 1908 stating 30 versts; identify the source and nature of this discrepancy (e.g., transcription, translation, or editorial error) and trace its provenance.

Background

The paper highlights a specific historical inaccuracy in E. L. Krinov’s widely cited accounts: he reproduced the distance between Nizhne-Karelinsk and Kirensk as 200 versts, whereas the original 1908 newspaper “Sibir” reported 30 versts. The author provides a scan indicating the original value and notes the substantial discrepancy.

Resolving this discrepancy matters for reconstructing eyewitness geography and timing, and for evaluating interpretations of the Tunguska event based on contemporary reports. Establishing the origin of the error will clarify the reliability of subsequent analyses that relied on Krinov’s version.