Hello historians. I'm currently working on a report/narrative on Russian trade, especially between Russia and the United States, ca. 1789 to 1917. I'm more interested in WHAT was traded rather than interpreting what patterns may have developed and why.
If anyone could provide recommend some good sources, I would be extremely grateful. Unfortunately, Imperial Russian Economic history hasn't been substantially documented, so anything helps. Thank you so much for the assistance!
American trade with Russia was first recorded between the port of Salem Massachusetts, and St. Petersburg, by the bark Light Horse in 1784. She carried a cargo of sugar from the West Indies, to trade in St. Petersburg.
From then until the end of the trade, 289 ships arrived in Salem from Russia. The busiest period was between 1797 and 1811, when 162 ships arrived in Salem from Russia (Archangel, as well as St. Petersburg, was a popular Russian port).
Popular cargoes acquired in Russia included; sailcloth, sheeting, hemp, cordage, iron (not all for import to the Americas, many were shipped on to the West Indies, or the Orient.)
Hemp (used to make rope for ships), flax canvas (for sailcloth), and iron, were the most important Russian imports for the Americans.
Hemp was essential for rigging until Manila rope began to be produced later in the 19th century. America grew only a small fraction of the hemp needed to support it's shipping industry.
Flax canvas was needed for sailcloth until the cotton industry boomed in the US South (after about 1800) and cotton canvas replaced flax on American ships.
Iron was in short supply near the American coast, and it was cheaper to ship it from Russia than from the American interior until the Erie canal and railroads lowered shipping costs.
Popular cargoes to carry to Russia included; tar, turpentine, tobacco, rice, rum, tea.
Trade between Russia and Salem seems to have ended by 1843. I don't know whether that trade was picked up by other American ports (Boston? New York?).
In any event, there was considerable trade between the Russian Empire and the United States outside of the fur trade from Alaska.
You can learn more about this trade from: America, Russia, Hemp and Napoleon; American trade with Russia and the Baltic 1783-1812, by Alfred W. Crosby Jr.
This 336 page book is available as a free pdf from:
https://kb.osu.edu/.../AMERICA_RUSSIA_HEMP_AND_NAPOLEON.p...
You might also find out more about the Salem-Russia trade by inquiring of the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA.
What kind of trade are you looking at? For example, from Yuri Rytkheu's novels i gather that there was quite a lively trade in furs, seal skins and other goods around the Bering Straight. That might not be the same as the larger trade missions conducted from say, St Petersburg to the East Coast though. Would be difficult to source too.