The Search for a Northwest Passage 1576 to 1587

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Abstract

The fourth phase of exploration in what is now Canada consisted of Frobisher's three voyages (1576, 1577 and 1578) and the two voyages of Davis (1586 and 1587) made in search of a northwest passage to Asia. These voyages represented the initial penetration of the Arctic. The map also shows the extent of territory known to Europeans in the period 1497 to 1650; and the navigation of all exploration routes during the period of maritime exploration between 1497 and 1599. The historical names found on the map are derived from contemporaneous maps and written documents of the period.

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The possibility of finding a northern passage around the American continent was first theorized by Sebastian Cabot who may or may not have made an attempt to find such a passage in 1508 to 1509. It is certain that Portuguese mariners were probing the Labrador coast soon after the return of Gaspar Corte-Real's fleet in 1501, and it is probable that the existence of a northwest passage was given greater credibility following the return of Magellan's fleet in 1522 from having discovered a southwest passage. English interest in a northwest passage was kindled in the late 1540s, but was temporarily diverted to finding a northeast passage to Russia.

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Frobisher Expedition 1577

In 1575 interest in finding a northwest passage was taken up by Martin Frobisher and Michael Lok, a London merchant, who managed to gain the support of other merchants and financiers. Following Fobisher's first voyage (1576), and his claim of having discovered gold near the Bay that bears his name, financial support was diverted from exploration to mining. When Frobisher's mining ventures collapsed in 1578 it became difficult to find backers for further exploration. Modest financial support for a new undertaking came in 1585 through William Sanderson, a London merchant, and John Davis, an experienced seaman and expert navigator. Like Frobisher, Davis' voyages were concentrated along the east coast of Baffin Island.

Following Davis' first voyage, hope of finding a northwest passage, perhaps by way of Cumberland Sound, was renewed. A second expedition was financed by Sanderson and the City of Exeter. Although Davis coasted from Exeter Bay to Hamilton Inlet, he did not enter any major opening except Davis Inlet. Since a third voyage was even more difficult to finance, a decision was made to defray some of the costs by sending two of his three ships fishing. Both of Davis' primary objectives, a northern passage through Davis Strait or a middle passage through Cumberland Sound, proved to be fruitless. His accomplishment was the first sound reconnaissance survey from Baffin Island to the Strait of Belle Isle. War with Spain in 1588 temporarily interrupted further English voyages of exploration.

Voyages of Exploration

An audio description for each voyage of exploration shown on this map can be accessed from the list below or through the map using Get Statistics.

• 1576 Martin Frobisher (English; for England)
• 1577 Martin Frobisher (English; for England)
• 1578 Martin Frobisher (English; for England)
• 1585 John Davis (of Sandridge, England; for England)
• 1586 John Davis (of Sandridge, England; for England)
• 1587 John Davis (of Sandridge, England; for England)

The descriptions of the voyages of exploration are based on research by C.E. Heidenreich, Department of Geography, York University. An audio version of each description can be played as the user follows the exploration route made by the explorer on the map.

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