The Explorations of Henry Hudson Part 1 – First Voyage for the Dutch
Today I will talk about Henry Hudson’s first voyages to the New World
From the Book:
Colonial American History Stories – 1215 – 1664
Transcript:
Greetings, today I will talk about Henry Hudson’s first voyages to the New World.
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Commissioned to find a northern route to Asia by the Dutch East India Company, Henry Hudson explored New England coast. He sailed into Hudson Bay on September 3, 1609.
Henry Hudson (1565? – 1611?)
His early youth clouded in mystery, many believe Henry Hudson began his life at sea as a cabin boy. He rose in stature, finally becoming an excellent navigator and captain. He made two voyages in 1607 and 1608 for the British Muscovy Company. The company commissioned him to find the fabled Northwest Passage. His explorations of the seas of the Arctic area found nothing but a land of ice and snow. The English and the Dutch struggled for control of North America as each searched for the Northwest Passage. The Dutch East India Company hired Hudson in 1609 for a third voyage to find the passage. After a perilous search of the dangerous northern waters and a crew in near mutiny, Hudson turned south to explore. He sailed up what we now know as Hudson Bay and the Hudson River in his ship, the Halve Maen (Half Moon). This voyage established the Dutch claim to the area before returning to Europe.
The Dutch East India Company was a chartered company established by the States General of the Netherlands in 1602. Many historians consider the powerful company as the first multi-national company. It was the first company to issue stock and had almost governmental powers. These included minting coins, negotiating treaties with foreign powers and establishing colonies. This search for the Northwest Passage led to their commissioning of Hudson’s voyages.
Attempt to Find the Northwest Passage
The Dutch East India Company instructed Hudson to sail across Russia’s northern shore. He was to find a path to Asia by the elusive northern route for which the European nations searched. He departed Amsterdam harbor on April 4, 1609 on the ship Half Moon (Halve Maen). He sailed northeast to search for a passage through the Arctic Ocean. Ice blocked the sea everywhere he went, so he went outside his instructions and turned his ship west. By July 2, they reached LaHave, Nova Scotia, where they landed. They encountered some natives here, who had prior contact with French traders. Apparently, Hudson tried to trade for some furs, but was not successful. The ship needed some repairs, so they lingered in the area. Around July 25, the crew raided a native village and drove the inhabitants off. They stole some items and left.
The Hudson Bay
The ship continued south, reaching Chesapeake Bay on August 4. Hudson did not enter the bay, but sailed north, entering Hudson Bay on September 3. After spending several days exploring the area, he decided to return to Amsterdam. The ship began the return voyage on September 23. The Dutch later used this voyage to establish their claims to their settlement at New Amsterdam.
September 12, 1609 – Henry Hudson Enters Hudson River
Hudson and his crew had left Amsterdam aboard the Halve Maen on April 4, 1609. They had arrived at Nova Scotia by July 2. Searching for the Northwest Passage, Hudson continued southwest, reaching Cape Cod on August 4. He continued to the Chesapeake Bay, and then turned north, reaching the bay formed by mouth of the mouth that now bears his name on September 3, 1609. Giovanni da Verrazzano had visited the area in 1524 in his search for the Northwest Passage. Hudson was the first to visit since that time. He entered the Upper Bay of the Mauritius, or North River, on September 12, 1609 and began ascending the river on September 13. Cartologists later changed the name to the Hudson River in honor of Hudson. He would voyage upriver until reaching the approximate location of Albany, New York.
September 23, 1609 – Henry Hudson Departs North America
By September 23, 1609, Hudson decided it was time to end the voyage. He departed North America and arrived at Dartmouth, England on November 7. English authorities tried to confiscate his logbook, but Hudson slipped it to the Dutch ambassador. The ambassador sent it to Dutch authorities in Amsterdam.
The episode is based upon my book, Colonial American History Stories – 1215 – 1664, available on the web site, http://www.mossyfeetbooks.com. The book is the first book in the 6 volume Timeline of United States History Series . Discover some of the famous and almost forgotten historic stories of America. The story begins with the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 and the beginnings of the concept of limited government and ends, for now, with the beginning of the American Revolution in 1775. The articles in the book have much more detail as well as articles not included in this podcast series.
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Mossy Feet Books - Author Paul R. Wonning 