real powerboats

• Powerboating News
• PBN Playmates
• Brownie’s Bites
• New Products and Offers

• PBN Classifieds

THE LATEST FROM THE NATION OF POWERBOATING

The latest news.

LATEST VIDEOS

2024 Miami Boat Show Video Highlights

2020 MIAMI SHOW: Joe Schaldenbrand of Sunsation Powerboats

2020 MIAMI SHOW: Taylor Scism of MTI

2020 MIAMI SHOW: Brett Manire of Performance Boat Center

2020 MIAMI SHOW: Peter Hledin of Skater Powerboats

2020 MIAMI BOAT SHOW: Dan Kleitz of Outerlimits and Steve Curtis of Miss Geico Racing

Latest articles.

Excitement Builds for the Midwest Racing Challenge in Sheboygan

Performance boat center outboard fun run 2024 is this weekend, the 2024 ibex trade show: a must-attend event for the marine industry, the 21st annual boyne thunder poker run kicks off today.

Italia Yachts 43 Veloce: A Stylish Entrance into the Powerboat World

Maserati unveils the fully electric tridente powerboat, new products.

Mayfair Hydraulics After-Plane Gen 3 Trim Tabs – A Boater’s Dream Come True

Mercury Racing Unveils Surface-Piercing CNC Cleaver

Video: BBlades Leads The Charge in Performance Props with The New 5 Speed and 4 Speed Props

powerboatnation

MORE NEWS FROM PBN

Get Ready for the 2024 Texas Outlaw Challenge!

Major Funding Boost for Boating Infrastructure Announced

Powerboating for a Cure Poker Run Raises Nearly $30,000 for Charity

2021 Toys for Tots Fun Run Brings Excitement and Charity to the St. John River

Ben Robertson give Marine Design’s TrimSync Seal of Approval

New Fun Run on James River is a Huge Hit

BLADES Offers “Winter Tune-up” Special Pricing

MDC Improves on Their Already Impressive Quad Outboard TrimSync

Nautique Introduces their All-Electric Super Air Nautique GS22E

Brand X Hi-Performance Marine Earns Mercury Racing Certification

PBN's FINEST

Fountain Announces New 42′ Lightning

Offshore Racing Legend Bobby Moore Passes Away at 80

P1 Superstock Looks Ahead to 2020 Season

Popular categories.

• Powerboating News 1715
• Daily Dose 187
• PBN Staff Photos 65
• Brownie's Bites 53
• New Products and Offers 32
• PBN Tech 20
• PBN Photo Gallery 20
• Privacy policy
• Advertising

• Build Your Boat
• View Inventory
• Regal Advantage

Choose Your Regal Boat

36 Grande Coupe

38 Grande Coupe

42 Grande Coupe

select YOUR Trim series

Enjoy thoughtfully curated features and options that strike the perfect balance between form and function.

• Handcrafted Interiors with Thoughtful Ergonomics
• Premium Appointments and Upgrades
• Integrated Navigation and Entertainment Suites

LS2 Surf Ultimate

Elevate your boating adventure with the Ultimate Trim Series. Experience unrivaled customization, state-of-the-art technology, and unparalleled luxury.

• Fully Customizable Ultra-Premium Interiors 
• Ultra-Premium Appointments and Upgrades
• Our Highest Level of Technology

38 SAV Ultimate

LS4 Surf Ultimate

Sterndrive bowrider.

2000 ES ESX

Excite your boating adventure with the ESX Trim. 

• Handcrafted Interiors with Color Matched Upholstery
• Exterior Graphics

Outboard Bowrider

LX2 Ultimate

LS2 Ultimate

LS6 Surf Ultimate

LX4 Ultimate

LS4 Ultimate

LS9 Surf Ultimate

LX6 Ultimate

38 surf ultimate.

LS6 Ultimate

50 sav ultimate.

LX9 Ultimate

LS9 Ultimate

LX36 Ultimate

• Fully Customizable Ultra-Premium Interiors

LS36 Ultimate

LUXURY LEGACY CRAFT

Once, a small company built on heart. Now, an internationally-recognized symbol of prestige, adventure and family values. With more than 50 years of enriching lives, creating memories, and hand-crafted excellence, this is the hallmark of Regal Boats.

Find your dealer

Find your hometown Regal dealership and get ready for adventure. The perfect Regal is just a click away.

  Use My location

Don't just take our word

We placed all our reviews in one place. Check out the authentic feedback from third-party media and see what they had to say about their first-hand experiences.

find your regal boat >

A PERFECT FIT

Don’t let its modest size fool you. The Regal 2000 ES is a big deal. With expansive social seating and generous storage, it offers abundant space for everyone on board. This 20-foot bowrider is the ideal choice for a family looking to live large on the water.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE

Make the water your playground in a model that leads the pack—literally and figuratively. With deceptively spacious seating and storage concealed within its ultra-sleek profile, the Regal LS2 provides plenty of room for recreation.

REFINED VERSATILITY

Innovation seamlessly woven into every aspect of its design, the Regal LS4 is a blend of intelligence and beauty. This 24-foot bowrider delivers heightened performance and unparalleled versatility without compromising on space or comfort. In the realm of true luxury, the Regal LS4 stands out, because true luxury means never sacrificing style for substance.

SEIZE THE DAY

Balancing leisure and adventure seamlessly, the Regal LS6 epitomizes the ultimate fusion of style, comfort, and versatility. Relax with your guests in various spaces, whether it's the versatile bow, the transom's lounging area, or the helm featuring captain and co-captain chairs. The Regal LS6 ensures that everyone on board can appreciate the thoughtful, innovative features that elevate your boat day to the next level.

MEMORY CRAFTER

Crafted to deliver an extraordinary day boating experience, the LS9 is perfect for creating enduring memories with friends and family. Boasting premium craftsmanship and meticulous design, it provides boundless comfort and features industry-leading standard and upgradable technology, making it effortlessly accessible to reach more destinations than ever before.

EXCEED EXPECTATIONS

Unleash the full potential of day-yachting with the Regal 3300. Versatile and luxurious, this model caters to the needs of even the most discerning boaters. Its expansive layout accommodates up to 18 guests, ensuring comfortable and entertaining spaces for all. Whether you crave adventure, relaxation, or a blend of both, the Regal 3300 empowers you with the capability to do it all.

TRULY UNIQUE

Truly one-of-a-kind, the Regal LS36 seamlessly blends the best of both worlds, exceeding expectations as both a luxurious yacht and a sporty bowrider, marking it as a complete game-changer. This comfortable bowrider is ideal for sunset cruises or lively weekends hosting friends and family. The innovative tech and thoughtful design integrated throughout the Regal LS36 make it effortlessly easy to let the good times roll.

A convenient low-to-the-water swim platform, spacious layouts, and thoughtful ergonomics make the Sterndrive Bowrider perfect for families and activities of all shapes and sizes.

GO ANYWHERE ANYTIME

Say goodbye to compromises and hello to adventure aboard the Regal 21 OBX. Offering handcrafted luxury and a spacious layout, this versatile vessel effortlessly accommodates family and friends. Innovative features elevate your day on the water, taking the experience to the next level.

A RESILIENT TRAILBLAZER

Introducing the Regal LX2, an outboard-powered bowrider carrying a signature look, spacious storage, and meticulous craftsmanship of the LX series into a compact 22’ 7” package. Its exceptional handling is owed to the FasTrac hull, meticulously optimized for outboard power. Unmatched in versatility, the Regal LX2 features multi-position seating, a lowering PowerTower S2, and a low-to-the-water swim platform, making it a true game-changer on the water.

HAVE IT ALL

Experience uncompromised performance, functionality, and luxury with the Regal LX4, where every detail is thoughtfully engineered. This 24-foot outboard-powered bowrider optimizes every available inch to maximize both seating and storage space. Incorporating trademark Regal features such as Slide-Away Seating, deeper lazarette storage, and a wide interior beam, the LX4 caters to both novice and seasoned captains alike. Revel in the comfort and sporty excellence of a boat that upholds the renowned reputation of excellence.

ADVENTURE WITH ELEGANCE

Prepare for your next adventure with the Regal LX6, ready to take you wherever your desires lead, all while exuding elegance and style. This model seamlessly integrates hand-crafted upholstery, ample storage, and innovative features, including a surprisingly spacious head. With an optimized platform and an unparalleled ride, the Regal LX6 promises an unforgettable experience.

UNCOMPROMISING ELEGANCE

Get ready to be captivated by the LX9, a 29-foot outboard-powered masterpiece that establishes new benchmarks for excellence, luxury, and performance while introducing a cutting-edge level of technology. Meticulously crafted with uncompromising attention to detail, the LX9 maximizes every inch to provide an unparalleled boating experience. Embrace a new realm of fun and embark on unforgettable adventures.

ADVENTURE AWAITS

With the Regal 33 OBX, your exploration knows no bounds. Whether you're cruising nearby or venturing far, this boat is designed for limitless possibilities. Host a party, serve drinks and dinner at the expansive refreshment center, or unwind in the well-appointed, comfortable berth complemented by a well-equipped head. Seamlessly combining adventure and entertainment, there's virtually nothing this luxury outboard can't handle.

TRULY EXCEPTIONAL

Thirty-six feet of dynamic comfort technology advancements, and innovative thinking converge for the ultimate day yachting experience. The LX36, with its expansive layout and considerate design, provides unmatched space for relaxation, entertainment, and the creation of cherished memories on the water. Embrace the future of boating through cutting-edge technology that elevates your experience to unprecedented heights. Discover the perfect fusion of luxury, functionality, and boating lifestyle aboard the unparalleled LX36.

Outboard power and a spacious wrap-around swim platform meet ergonomic seating and the latest tech to give the Outboard Bowrider series unmatched versatility for fun and adventure anywhere.

Upgrade your wake with the Regal LS2 Surf, a model crafted to give water sport enthusiasts the ride of a lifetime every time. Discover the perks of innovative engineering and design—like a smoother ride, touchscreen controls, customizable wake and more. The Regal LS2 Surf is your ticket to endless thrills on the water.

POWERFUL POTENTIAL

Using powerful, cutting-edge technology, the Regal LS4 Surf maximizes the performance of every wave it generates. Featuring a modern and innovative surf system, you have the ability to adjust your boat's speed, trim, and ballast effortlessly with the touch of a button. Designed to provide you with total control, the Regal LS4 Surf ensures you have more time in the sun and enjoy the water.

CRAFTED FOR EXCITEMENT

Glide across calm waters, relax in the sun or surf perfect waves in the Regal LS6 Surf. The multifunctional Regal Surf System empowers you, putting control in your hands to create a wake tailored to your needs, age, ability, skill level, and thirst for adventure. Innovative, versatile, and swift, the Regal LS6 Surf serves as your ticket to endless hours of fun with family and friends.

DREAM BIG. SURF BIGGER.

Crafted for maximum surf performance, the LS9 Surf stands out with an array of standard features and cutting-edge technology. Its ergonomic layout and thoughtful design guarantee a comfortable ride, making it ideal for surfers in pursuit of the ultimate wake-surfing experience. The LS9 Surf is the epitome of creating unforgettable moments on the water.

LARGEST SURF BOAT IN THE WORLD

At nearly 40' long, 11' 11" wide, and showcasing a meticulously designed open layout ideal for entertaining, the 38 Surf proudly holds the title of the world's largest surf boat. Its unique size and layout offer a one-of-a-kind surfing experience. Equipped with dual Volvo Forward Drives, dual 22-inch Glass Cockpit Displays, and requiring no ballast to fill, this extraordinary vessel generates an impressively long wave with substantial push, setting it apart as a standout in the world of surf boats.

With an intuitive wave-shaping surf system, the Regal Surf series carves deep into the water – creating a signature wake surfing experience at the touch of a button.

PRIMED FOR ACTIVITY

The Regal 33 SAV stands out with its multitude of features, catering to boaters of all kinds. Seamlessly fusing versatility and luxury, this model embodies the essence of a do-it-all, outboard-powered day-yacht with overnighting capabilities. Recognized as the Sports Activity Vessel, the Regal 33 SAV lives up to its reputation, ready to transport you virtually anywhere, anytime, for almost any activity.

A SEAMLESS CULMINATION

Living up to its name, the Sports Activity Vessel seamlessly merges the worlds of sports, day boating, and overnighting. The unparalleled versatility, enhanced by added luxury, gives rise to an exceptional, outboard-powered day yacht that excels in every aspect—from entertaining guests to catching the night's dinner. The 38 SAV rightfully holds a place in a league of its own.

A Flagship of Refinement

Welcome to the pinnacle of day boat innovation and luxury with Regal Boats’ flagship, the 50 SAV. Boasting an expansive 50-foot length overall and a 14′ 7″ beam, the 50 SAV is a marvel of design. Dual GarmRests, Dual opening Terrace Doors, Regal LivePower, and a spacious cabin open up new realms of possibilities, inviting you to immerse yourself in the grandeur of the open water.

Our uniquely-designed SAV series provides a multi-purpose platform for family activities, fishing, entertaining, cruising and overnighting—the quintessential boat for limitless possibilities and lifelong memories.

Express Cruiser

Expand your weekend.

With every weekend comes a new opportunity for adventure. Elevate your experience with the Regal LS4C. Beyond its sleek and sporty aesthetic, this vessel presents a generous and luxurious layout, delivering comfort, versatility, and convenience seamlessly within both the cockpit and the inviting cabin below.

EMBARK ON AN ADVENTURE

Embark on your grand adventure aboard the Regal 26 Express, a vessel that epitomizes unparalleled comfort and functionality throughout. Relax in the versatile cockpit seating and luxuriate in the generous salon, featuring an entertainment center and a full-sized aft berth. This daring cruiser truly encompasses the essence of a comprehensive boating experience.

DESIGNED FOR RELAXATION

Precision-engineered for unparalleled versatility and meticulously handcrafted with a focus on elevating every aspect of your boating experience. The Regal 26 XO stands as a sophisticated cruiser that sets a new standard of excellence. Boasting a diverse range of amenities both above deck and below, this boat is meticulously designed to ensure you and your guests feel consistently comfortable, relaxed, and refreshed throughout the day.

A REFINED EXPLORER

Abundant in amenities, distinctive features, and polished good looks, the 28 Express is equipped for the dream excursion you've envisioned. Indulge in relaxation and savor the journey from the expansive cockpit to the roomy cabin space below deck. No matter your destination, navigate with absolute comfort and confidence aboard the Regal 28 Express.

BEAUTIFUL VOYAGES AHEAD

The Regal 33 Express is the epitome of a do-it-all, have-it-all cruiser designed for boaters in pursuit of unforgettable experiences. Unwind in the vast open spaces above deck or retreat below to indulge in premium amenities within the expansive cabin. Whether you're hosting a leisurely lunch, enjoying family tubing adventures, or spending an entire weekend on the water, the 33 Express makes a statement worthy of conversation.

DYNAMIC EXPLORER

The Regal 33 XO blends the expansive layout of a Regal Express Cruiser with the versatility and low-maintenance benefits of outboard power. This combination allows you to embark on adventures in a multitude of new waters, accommodating both your journey and a large group of passengers. Elevate your cruising experience and the memories created on board with a thoughtfully curated selection of features, enabling you to venture farther than ever before.

With wide-open layouts and luxurious interiors, the Express Cruiser series combines style, comfort, technology and just about everything else you need to make the most out of your days and nights on the water.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Step into luxury aboard the 36 Grande Coupe. Experience a lavish environment where comfort and innovative design can be found in every corner. From the versatile multi-position bow seating to the convenient refreshment center, open-air salon, and the convertible face-to-face layout of the aft cabin—luxury knows no bounds.

EXPERIENCE EXTRAORDINARY

The 36 XO offers an all-encompassing experience, accommodating every activity seamlessly. Bask in the sun on the expansive bow seating, find comfort in the California Queen and roomy settee below deck, or dock for a night out after refreshing in the walk-in shower. With versatile multi-position seating and extra legroom in the aft, this vessel provides ample space for a weekend retreat with family and friends.

UNRIVALED EXCELLENCE

The Regal 38 Grande Coupe sets a new standard in boating. Whether you crave the warmth of the sun or prefer the cool shade of the salon, this boat offers abundant space for unwinding. Boasting an extensive array of features meticulously crafted for both entertainment and relaxation, the 38 Grande Coupe stands unparalleled in its extraordinary blend of style, size, and amenities.

The Regal 38 XO seamlessly merges the features of a sport yacht with the versatility of an outboard bowrider, defining a unique class in its own right. This model redefines luxury and innovation, offering the flexibility of outboard power to empower you with the freedom to embark on all kinds of adventures with your family.

360 DEGREES OF LUXURY

Enjoy multi-level luxury aboard the Regal 38 Fly, where system controls are at your fingertips and a spacious king-sized stateroom beneath your feet. The expansive layouts offer a 360º view of the water, allowing you to enjoy a refreshing breeze until the sun sets. If you're a boater seeking adventure from an elevated point of view, the 38 Fly stands out as the ultimate choice.

EXPERIENCE SOMETHING NEW

Craft new memories, ascend to greater heights, and navigate unexplored routes aboard the Regal 38 FXO. This outboard-powered yacht offers unparalleled versatility and panoramic 360° open-air views. Take in the beauty of the water's beauty from any point, be it the flybridge or the climate-controlled upper-salon with its expansive panoramic windows. Regardless of your chosen course or the weather you encounter, the Regal 38 FXO ensures your comfort every step of the way.

LIMITLESS POTENTIAL

Impressive in both power and elegance, the Regal 42 Grande Coupe is a show-stopper. Crafted with Regal's heightened standard of luxury, this bold yacht features an extensive range of amenities, cutting-edge technology, and unmatched comfort. Embark on a journey to truly indulge, play, explore, unwind, and entertain as you experience luxury aboard the Regal 42 Grande Coupe.

A BOLD STATEMENT

Unwind and relax aboard the 42 XO in meticulously designed cabins, where the spacious layout allows for optional additions like a second head or lower refreshment center. The standard en-suite head, adorned with premium materials, features a separate walk-in shower. Upstairs, the full-beam retractable hardtop, opening side windows, and sliding glass doors seamlessly blend the upper salon and aft patio, creating a space for everyone on board to enjoy outdoor living and shared entertainment.

RAISING THE BAR

Experience ultimate outboard-powered luxury with the Regal 42 FXO, a sport yacht that seamlessly combines versatility with effortless maintenance. Its pull-up, user-friendly motor transforms it into an outstanding sandbar-hopper. Unparalleled performance, outboard adaptability, and top-tier luxury converge to create the perfect setting for boundless entertainment and relaxation on the water, no matter where your destination may be.

EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS

With its expansive flybridge, opulent open-air atrium, and innovative features for over 50 years of boating excellence, the 42 Fly stands as a singular masterpiece. Whether you aspire to navigate uncharted waters, witness breathtaking sunsets from an elevated vantage point, or embark on a memorable weekend getaway with loved ones, the 42 Fly effortlessly accomplishes it all with unparalleled style.

Large and full of life, our Yacht series boasts head-turning good looks, luxury in every detail, spacious floorplans, open-air salons, heads, cabins, galleys and an ambience that truly earns the name Regal.

Design Your Dream Regal

Hull Bottom

Build your custom regal boat.

Find a new regal boat near you.

Shop your local Regal dealership’s inventory and find the Regal for you.

All-New Ultimate Trim Series

Elevate your boating adventure with the Regal Boats Ultimate Trim Series. An unrivaled level of customization in our class, state-of-the-art technology, and unparalleled luxury make a statement on the water.

Handmade for a half-century.

Regal Boats has always been a family-first company. It’s how we were founded and how we operate. Today, our family has grown to include nearly 800 talented team members. And we all have one thing in common—a passion for building luxury boats. That’s why Regal boats are built locally, each individually handcrafted with care. By our family. For yours.

• Corrections

What Happened on Nazino Island? The Cannibal Gulag

The short-lived Nazino Island Gulag was one of the most horrific episodes of Soviet history, wherein the inmates turned to cannibalism in order to survive.

• Over 6,700 prisoners were sent to the gulag on Nazino Island in Western Siberia with minimal resources, resulting in widespread starvation and cannibalism; 4,000 died within 13 weeks.
• The island, intended as a part of Stalin’s plan to spread out the Soviet population and utilize prisoner labor for collectivization, faced logistical challenges, including a severe tool shortage, which contributed to the disaster.
• Despite reports of the horrors on the island, officials initially turned a blind eye; when the tragedy finally came to light decades later, a memorial was erected to honor the victims, many of whom were not true criminals but unlucky citizens caught in Stalin’s harsh system.

In 1933, 6,700 prisoners were sent to a gulag on Nazino Island in the middle of the Ob River in Western Siberia. They were given only a few bags of flour to sustain themselves. Without tools to cultivate the land nor any clothing and supplies to survive the harsh climate, the gulag’s population resorted to the most depraved act of cannibalism. Within 13 weeks, 4,000 people had died on the island, and armed guards shot those who tried to escape. Nazino Island was, quite possibly, the worst gulag of them all.

The Origins of the Nazino Island Gulag

During the early 1930s, the Soviet Union wished to spread out its population to make use of arable farmland across the vast country. Relocating prisoners was a perfect way to do this. Collectivized farms sprang up across previously uninhabited parts of the country, and prisoners were used as the labor that would achieve this. With plenty of political enemies, there was no shortage of prisoners in the Soviet Union, and labor was easily attainable.

In February of 1933, the head of the OGPU secret police, Genrikh Yagoda , and Matvei Berman, the head of the Gulag system, proposed an idea to deport two million people to Siberia and the Kazakh regions to work on collective farms. They had done this before with the Kulaks, which had proven successful. 

This time, however, there was a severe shortage of tools. And this would prove to be a vital ingredient to the carnage that would follow.

Get the latest articles delivered to your inbox

Please check your inbox to activate your subscription.

In major cities such as Moscow and Leningrad, workers and other people providing important services were issued with internal passports. This system made it easy to identify unproductive, unwanted, and criminal elements of society. These undesirables were earmarked for deportation. Despite being a much-loathed feature of Tsarist Russia and done away with under the Bolsheviks , the passport system was reinstated under the rule of Stalin to devastating effect. It proved to be highly effective in streamlining productivity and reassigning the superfluous elements of society to more productive roles.

The authoritarian decrees and the arrest quotas the police had to fill ensured that being deported to one of the many gulags was incredibly easy to achieve. Between March and July 1933, 85,937 people were deported from Moscow alone. Being an avid communist and supporter of the system meant nothing if you left your papers at home. It was in this dynamic that the 6,700 prisoners destined for Nazino Island began their journey.

Transportation hubs were set up in the cities of Tomsk, Omsk, and Achinsk. Rail convoys were created, which departed from Moscow and Leningrad. Daily rations on board the trains consisted of just 300 grams (11 ounces) of bread. Thuggery within the carriages meant that many went without rations, while those with muscle and a questionable moral compass had plenty to eat.

Those destined for Nazino Island then found themselves on barges, where for two weeks, they were crammed together for two weeks and fed only 200 grams (7 ounces) of bread per day. Twenty-seven people died en route to the island.

On May 18, 1933, 322 women and 4,556 men disembarked at their destination, which was the last place most of them would ever see. The island was 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) long and 600 meters (660 yards) wide and could not feed the thousands of new residents. The only thing the prisoners had was 20 tons of flour. Fighting broke out as the flour was being unloaded and distributed, and the guards fired on the prisoners to restore order. Distribution was attempted again the next day with the same result.

After leaders were designated amongst the prisoners, the flour was handed out. However, most of these leaders would simply hoard the flour for themselves.

With no ovens on the island, the prisoners ate the flour with water from the river, and as a result, dysentery spread through the gulag.

It was around this time that the plan for the Nazino Island Gulag was rejected by Stalin. But it was too late for the deportees. Yagoda and Berman had already put their plan into action.

Many tried to escape via flimsy rafts but drowned in the icy waters of the Ob. Those who did manage to make it to shore were hunted by guards as if it were a sport. Those who managed to escape were presumed dead, as the wilderness around the area is extremely inhospitable.

The guards were equally violent. They allowed the gangs to operate and executed prisoners for minor infractions. The violent situation on the island also hindered the doctors on the island, as they feared for their lives too. The guards made little attempt, if any, to keep them safe.

Chaos Breaks Out

It did not take long for violence to become rife and for order to completely break down on the island. Cultivation of the soil was impossible without tools, and as most of the deportees were city-dwellers, they knew very little about survival in the wild.

The more violent members of the new society formed gangs and took control, exploiting the weaker members. Anything that could be traded for food was taken, including gold teeth. Fights broke out over food, and murder became a daily occurrence.

Barely one week after being confined to the island, doctors started reporting incidents of cannibalism. News of this was sent back to Tomsk, but the response was not positive. Instead of sending help, the authorities sent another 1,000 prisoners and no extra food. This was probably due to a bureaucratic mistake rather than a willful decision to make the situation worse.

Meanwhile, the guards would regularly throw bits of bread into the starving crowds and watch as fights broke out. Their cruelty extended to shooting at the prisoners on the island for sport while they sat in the safety of their boats, getting drunk. They even traded cigarettes and bread for sex from female prisoners.

They did, however, take action when they heard reports of cannibalism, but they were almost powerless to prevent the atrocities.

The Horror of the Cannibalism

Those who died from accidents, fights, or being shot by the guards were eaten in desperation, but this body count wasn’t enough. Roving gangs hunted and murdered for food. They skewered their victims on sticks and roasted them over fires.

Interviews with the local Ostyak people later revealed harrowing stories. In one account, Feofila Bylina’s parents received a visitor from the island one night. A 40-year-old woman was at their door, and the Bylin family took her in and discovered that the poor victim’s calves had been cut off.

Another account tells the story of a 13-year-old Ostyak girl who went to the island to gather firewood. She witnessed a woman being tied to a tree, whereupon her breasts, calves, and other bits of her body were sliced off. The girl hurriedly alerted the guards, but the victim died before she could be helped.

A communist instructor living on the banks of the Ob, Vasily Velichko, began to hear rumors of what was happening on Nazino Island and, without waiting for permission from the authorities, decided to investigate the situation. When he arrived on the island in August, a grim picture of the situation greeted him. He found half-eaten bodies hiding among the tall grasses. He followed up by conducting interviews with the Ostyak people living nearby and built up a picture of what had happened. He sent a report to Moscow. For his efforts, he was kicked out of the Communist Party and fired from his job. The report was then hidden in the archives.

Action, however, was taken, and the gulag was closed. The 50 guards overseeing Nazino Island also had their Party membership rescinded, and they were all jailed for negligence and being complicit in the horror that unfolded.

“I only ate livers and hearts. It was very simple. Just like shashlik. We made skewers from willow branches, cut it into pieces, stuck it on the skewers, and roasted it over the campfire. I picked those who were not quite living, but not yet quite dead. It was obvious that they were about to go — that in a day or two, they’d give up. So, it was easier for them that way. Now. Quickly. Without suffering for another two or three days.” One of the survivors 

The Aftermath

In the period of thirteen weeks which encompassed the tragedy, roughly 6,000 people were deported to Nazino Island. Around 1,500 to 2,000 people died from starvation, disease, exposure, murder, or accidental death. Approximately 2,000 survived past the camp’s closing, but the vast majority were ill, with many bedridden. Many did not survive their relocation to other camps. Only a few hundred people were healthy enough to work.

With the Glasnost policy in 1988, the Soviet Union became more open about its past, and the human rights group Russian Memorial Society investigated the horrors of Nazino Island, bringing it to the attention of the public.

A wooden cross was planted on the island in memory of the victims, and every year in June, pilgrims make their way from Tomsk to pay their respects in honor of those who died in this tragedy. In 2018, a church was also built and dedicated to the memory of the victims.

The purpose of Soviet gulags was primarily to get rid of dissidents but also to provide labor. In this, Nazino Island was a complete failure on both fronts. Many deportees were not criminals but just unlucky enough to be seized by the police. One man, over one hundred years old, was a victim because he didn’t have his papers on him. Another was a student simply standing at the front door of his aunt’s apartment.

Stalin’s Great Purge: Gulags, Show Trials, and Terror

By Greg Beyer BA History & Linguistics, Journalism Diploma Greg specializes in African History. He holds a BA in History & Linguistics and a Journalism Diploma from the University of Cape Town. A former English teacher, he now excels in academic writing and pursues his passion for art through drawing and painting in his free time.

Frequently Read Together

Tsar Nicholas II: The Agony of an Empire

Russian & Bolshevik Revolution vs Russian Civil War: What’s the Difference?

Who Was Joseph Stalin & Why Do We Still Talk About Him?