This section refers the viewer to selected online resources on the topic
of Northwest coast exploration, prior to Lewis and Clark’s arrival
at the mouth of the Columbia River by land.
Early Exploration
Russians
Russian
explorers in the Pacific Northwest during the 18th century.
“Vitus Bering, a Danish explorer, was in the service of Russia
when he discovered the Bering Strait and Sea in 1728.
In 1741 he discovered Alaska and traded with the First
Nations peoples, collecting large numbers of sea otter
pelts which could be sold for very high prices in
China" (MMBC online exhibit).
José Cardero
drawing of Sutil and Mexicana,
Spanish ships under Galiano and Valdes in 1792.
Courtesy Maritime Museum of British Columbia.
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Spanish
Spanish
exploration of the Northwest Coast of North America prior to
1800. |
British
Visit John Robsons excellent resource for more information about
these two British explorers.
James
Cook
George Vancouver |
Vancouver’s
ship, Discovery.
Courtesy Maritime Museum of British Columbia. |
Sea Otter Pelts and the Fur Trade
Sea otter fur traders
Extensive resource documenting primarily the commercial British and American
ships on the Northwest Coast of America to exploit the lucrative sea otter
market in the 1780’s.
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Sea otters
© 2000 North Pacific Excursions |
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French
French explorers 1786 - 1791
Americans
American Fur Traders, 1787 - 1794
Portugese
The Portugese ship, Sao Jao y Fenix, captained by Andrade, explored the Northwest
coast in 1792.
Chinese
Chinese trade beads and coins are important
in northwest traffic, and their market for sea otter
pelts was lucrative. British Captain “Meares was
responsible for importing many Chinese labourers which
he used in the construction of dwellings and in the
construction of the Northwest
America. When his ships were seized by the Spaniards
he had no means of returning the workmen. Whether he
actually intended to do so is still debated" (MMBC
online exhibit). No known Chinese vessels visited the
coast.
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