First Voyage
Henry's first voyage was to find a passage to the Orient through the north across the pole. Several philosophers believed that because of the constant sunshine it would get warmer the more northern you get. They reasoned the sun would melt the ice at the poles, and if you sailed due north, you'd eventually reach open water. They were wrong.
Hudson's first ship was probably designed for short trips for trade along the European coasts, these ships were not made for long, dangerous trips over unknown and dangerous oceans.
He was unsuccessful in finding a route across the pole, Hudson did make some important discoveries. Some of these were the pods of whales at Spitzbergen island, which offered a opportunity to English whale hunters. Hudson was known as the grandfather of the English whaling industry. Hudson also sailed further north than any other explorer before him on this voyage.
Hudson's first ship was probably designed for short trips for trade along the European coasts, these ships were not made for long, dangerous trips over unknown and dangerous oceans.
He was unsuccessful in finding a route across the pole, Hudson did make some important discoveries. Some of these were the pods of whales at Spitzbergen island, which offered a opportunity to English whale hunters. Hudson was known as the grandfather of the English whaling industry. Hudson also sailed further north than any other explorer before him on this voyage.
Second Voyage
After about three months, Henry was ready to explore again, in the same ship and for the same company as his first voyage. This time he went looking for a Northeastern passage through the icy waters of northern Russia.
Hudson was employed by the Russia Company to explore the coast of Siberia. The Russian merchants wanted another trading route in case the establishment between England and Russia might not survive when Ivan the Terrible died. They wanted some Spanish trade by taking a sea route north of Asia.
Hudson's knowledge about the sea made him a good navigator, but he wasn't able to get through the ice filled waters past the islands of Novaya Zembla. He turned around and tried to find a Northeast passage, but was not able to because his crew found out that they weren't going home.
Since Hudson didn't make any discoveries or progress and his problems with the crew, made the Russia Company lose interest in the north.
The Northeast Passage was not found a Swedish person accomplished the voyage in 1878
Hudson was employed by the Russia Company to explore the coast of Siberia. The Russian merchants wanted another trading route in case the establishment between England and Russia might not survive when Ivan the Terrible died. They wanted some Spanish trade by taking a sea route north of Asia.
Hudson's knowledge about the sea made him a good navigator, but he wasn't able to get through the ice filled waters past the islands of Novaya Zembla. He turned around and tried to find a Northeast passage, but was not able to because his crew found out that they weren't going home.
Since Hudson didn't make any discoveries or progress and his problems with the crew, made the Russia Company lose interest in the north.
The Northeast Passage was not found a Swedish person accomplished the voyage in 1878
Third voyage
Since henry couldn’t find anyone to offer him another journey, He turned to the Dutch, England's greatest trading rival, and was hired to seek a Northeast Passage. The same direction as his failed second journey.But after a short trip north, Hudson faced another possible mutiny from his crew. He turned his ship, the Half moon, around and, instead headed for the New World.
Hudson explored a wide river near today's New York City. He hoped the river would provide a passage west to the Pacific. But after about 150 miles he found the river had become too shallow to continue. Hudson had to turn around and head home, again proving he failed at finding a way to Asia.Hudson stopped in England and was arrested for sailing under another nation's flag, which was considered treason at the time.
Hudson explored a wide river near today's New York City. He hoped the river would provide a passage west to the Pacific. But after about 150 miles he found the river had become too shallow to continue. Hudson had to turn around and head home, again proving he failed at finding a way to Asia.Hudson stopped in England and was arrested for sailing under another nation's flag, which was considered treason at the time.
Fourth Voyage
Henry Hudson managed to get support from English backers for another voyage after his recent arrest, this time in search of a Northwest Passage. The main sponsor this time was the governor and treasurer of the Virginia Company, and also of the English East India Company. He did not pay Hudson but rather pay for his bail.
His ship this time was the Discovery. Smythe only provided eight months of food, water and equipment for the crew.
Almost from the start there was fight and problems with the crew. Hudson's couldn't manage his crew. There were fights and almost a mutiny before they even reached the intended area.
Soon the crew ended up south in the winter. They had to survive winter in that cold land.
Next spring, the ship was ready. Hudson wanted to continue to explore, but the crew wanted to go home. Fights broke out over food. Eventually a large number of crew members decided to mutiny. They put the captain, his son and others they didn't like into a small fishing boat and set it in the cold waters. None were ever seen again.Back in England, the survivors returned home they were arrested for mutiny.
His ship this time was the Discovery. Smythe only provided eight months of food, water and equipment for the crew.
Almost from the start there was fight and problems with the crew. Hudson's couldn't manage his crew. There were fights and almost a mutiny before they even reached the intended area.
Soon the crew ended up south in the winter. They had to survive winter in that cold land.
Next spring, the ship was ready. Hudson wanted to continue to explore, but the crew wanted to go home. Fights broke out over food. Eventually a large number of crew members decided to mutiny. They put the captain, his son and others they didn't like into a small fishing boat and set it in the cold waters. None were ever seen again.Back in England, the survivors returned home they were arrested for mutiny.