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Why did Henry Hudson go on his exploration?
Henry Hudson wanted to find a northern passage to India. He thought that the ice covering the North Pole might melt during the summer. Perhaps he could sail right over the top of the world to India. Starting in 1607, Henry headed up four different expeditions searching for the elusive northern passage.
What did Henry Hudson explore North America?
Henry Hudson made four voyages in search of a water route to the Far East. His first two voyages were through Arctic waters and proved to be unsuccessful due to ice. His third and fourth voyages were to North America where he discovered and sailed the Hudson River, Hudson Strait, and Hudson Bay.
When did Henry Hudson explore?
Henry Hudson, mariner, explorer (born c. 1570 in England; disappeared 1611). Hudson was among a long list of explorers who searched in vain for a northern passage through Arctic waters from Europe to East Asia. He made four voyages historians are aware of, in 1607, 1608, 1609 and 1610–11.
Where did Henry Hudson discover?
Henry Hudson failed to find the passage to the Orient, he discovered New York City, the Hudson River, the Hudson Strait, and the Hudson Bay.
What is Henry Hudson best known for?
What was Henry Hudson famous for? Henry Hudson was an English navigator and explorer who set out to find either a northeast passage “by the North Pole to Japan and China” or a similar northwest passage.
What is Hudson New York known for?
The little city of Hudson has the distinction of being the first city in the United States—that is, it was the first city to be incorporated after the thirteen colonies became the United States. The idea of Hudson started even before the Treaty of Paris was signed.
What was Hudson looking for in the new world?
Believed to have been born in the late 16th century, English explorer Henry Hudson made two unsuccessful sailing voyages in search of an ice-free passage to Asia. In 1609, he embarked on a third voyage funded by the Dutch East India Company that took him to the New World and the river that would be given his name.
What was Henry Hudson famous for?
Henry Hudson was an English navigator and explorer who set out to find either a northeast passage “by the North Pole to Japan and China” or a simil...
How did Henry Hudson die?
During a voyage into Hudson Bay, begun in 1610, quarrels arose among the crew. A mutiny ensued, and Henry Hudson, his son, and seven others were se...
What was Henry Hudson’s legacy?
Henry Hudson contributed significantly to our understanding of the geography of North America, especially of its northeastern waterways. In his mem...
What did Henry Hudson contribute to the history of North America?
Henry Hudson contributed significantly to our understanding of the geography of North America, especially of its northeastern waterways. In his memory, several bodies of water that he navigated now bear his name: Hudson Bay, the Hudson River, and Hudson Strait. Of Hudson’s early life, nothing is known.
Who was Henry Hudson?
See Article History. Henry Hudson, (born c. 1565, England—died after June 22, 1611, in or near Hudson Bay?), English navigator and explorer who, sailing three times for the English (1607, 1608, 1610–11) and once for the Dutch (1609), tried to discover a short route from Europe to Asia through the Arctic Ocean, in both the Old World and the New.
What did Weymouth suggest about the Hudson Strait?
Hudson now made ready a voyage to America to follow up Weymouth’s suggestion. Weymouth had described an inlet (now Hudson Strait) where a “furious overfall” of water rushed out with every ebb tide. This phenomenon suggested that a great body of water lay beyond the strait.
How many voyages did Hudson take?
In James Bay he appeared irresolute. Yet Hudson undertook four dangerous voyages, brought his crew through an Arctic winter, and preserved his vessels amid the dangers of ice and unknown shores. He was a competent navigator who materially extended the explorations of Verrazzano, Davis, and Barents.
Where did Hudson go on his third voyage?
Shortly after his return, Hudson was lured to Amsterdam to undertake a third northeast voyage under contract to the Dutch East India Company. While there, he heard reports of two possible channels to the Pacific across North America.
Where did Hudson dock?
On his way to Holland, Hudson docked at Dartmouth, England. The English government then ordered him and the English members of his crew to desist from further explorations for other countries. His log and papers were sent to Holland, where his discoveries were soon made known.
When did the mutineers take Hudson?
Once the homeward voyage had begun, the mutineers seized Hudson, his son, and seven others, casting them adrift in Hudson Bay in a small open boat on June 22, 1611.
Where did Hudson go when he was in Europe?
[2] After ascending it for about 40 km to the vicinity of what is now Albany, New York, Hudson concluded that the river did not lead to the Pacific. On 23 September, Hudson decided to return to Europe. He put in at Dartmouth, England on 7 November, and was detained by authorities who wanted access to his log. He managed to pass the log to the Dutch ambassador to England, who sent it, along with his report, to Amsterdam.
What was Hudson's main goal in his voyage?
Hudson made four journeys during his career, at a time when countries and companies competed with each other to find the best ways to reach important trade destinations, especially Asia and India . [1] In the spring of 1607, sailing for the Muscovy Company, Hudson, his son John, and 10 companions set forth for to discover “a Passage by the North Pole to Japan and China ”, the famous Northeast Passage. Believing that he would find an ice-free sea around the North Pole , Hudson struck out northward. On reaching the edge of the polar ice pack, he followed it east until he reached the Svalbard ( Spitsbergen) archipelago. From there he extended explorations made earlier by the 16th-century Dutch navigator Willem Barents, who had also sought a Northeast Passage to Asia. On April 22, 1608, the Muscovy Company again sent Hudson to seek a Northeast Passage, this time between Svalbard and the islands of Novaya Zemlya, which lie to the east of the Barents Sea. Finding his way again blocked by ice fields, he returned to England in August. [2]
What did Hudson do while exploring the river?
While exploring the river, Hudson had traded with several native groups, mainly obtaining furs. His voyage was used to establish Dutch claims to the region and to the fur trade that prospered there when a trading post was established at Albany in 1614.
When did Hudson go to Europe?
Over the next ten days his ship ascended the river, reaching a point about where the present-day capital of Albany is located. On 23 September, Hudson decided to return to Europe.
What happened to Hudson in 1611?
In 1611, after wintering on the shore of James Bay, Hudson wanted to press on to the west , but most of his crew mutinied. The mutineers cast Hudson, his son, and seven others adrift; the Hudsons and their companions were never seen again.
How many men did Hudson have on the Hopewell?
On 1 May 1607, Hudson sailed with a crew of ten men and a boy on the 80-ton Hopewell.
What was Hudson's voyage?
Hudson's voyages to North America. In 1609, Hudson was chosen by merchants of the Dutch East India Company in the Netherlands to find an easterly passage to Asia. While awaiting orders and supplies in Amsterdam, he heard rumours of a northwest route to the Pacific through North America.
What was the name of the island that Hudson discovered?
Alleged discovery of Jan Mayen. According to Thomas Edge, "William [ sic] Hudson" in 1608 discovered an island he named "Hudson's Tutches" (Touches) at 71° N, the latitude of Jan Mayen.
What was the purpose of the expeditions of 1607 and 1608?
Expeditions of 1607 and 1608. In 1607, the Muscovy Company of England hired Hudson to find a northerly route to the Pacific coast of Asia. At the time, the English were engaged in an economic battle with the Dutch for control of northwest routes.

Henry Hudson’s Search For A “Northeast Passage”
Hudson’s Voyage to North America Aboard The Half Moon
- While in Amsterdam gathering supplies, Hudson heard reports of two possible channels running across North America to the Pacific. One was located around latitude 62° N (based on English explorer Captain George Weymouth’s 1602 voyage); the second, around latitude 40° N, had been recently reported by Captain John Smith. Hudson departed from Holland on the ship Halve Mae…
Hudson’s Final Voyage
- The British East India Company and the Muscovy Company, along with private sponsors, jointly funded Hudson’s fourth voyage, on which he sought the possible Pacific-bound channel identified by Weymouth. Hudson sailed from London in April 1610 in the 55-ton ship Discovery, stopped briefly in Iceland, then continued west. After traversing the coast again, he passed through the in…
Failed Trials For The Northeast Passage
Searching The Northwest Passage
- According to the rumors Hudson had heard in Amsterdam, he was seeking the Northwest Passage around a latitude of 40° N. While cruising along the Atlantic seaboard, Hudson put into the majestic river encountered by the Florentine navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524 that initially was called the “North River” or “Mauritius” and thenceforth was to be known as the Huds…
Discovery of The Hudson Bay
- Hudson now made ready a voyage to America to follow up the suggestions of English explorer, Capt. George Weymouth from 1602. Weymouth had described an inlet (now Hudson Strait) where a “furious overfall” of water rushed out with every ebb tide. This phenomenon suggested that a great body of water lay beyond the strait. Hudson was confident that it ...
Arctic Winter, Mutiny, and End
- In the close confinement of an Arctic winter, quarrels arose. Some of his crew suspected that Hudson was secretly hoarding food for his favorites, and tempers flared when Hudson ordered the crew’s own sea chests searched for extra victuals. Once the homeward voyage had begun, the mutineers seized Hudson, his son, and seven others, casting them adrift in Hudson Bay in a sma…