Gray sails the Columbia River
Encyclopedia
In May of 1792, American merchant sea captain Robert Gray sailed into the Columbia River, becoming the first recorded European
to navigate into it. The voyage, conducted on the Columbia Rediviva
, a privately owned ship
, was eventually used as a basis for the United States
' claim on the Pacific Northwest
, although its relevance to the claim was disputed by the British
. As a result of the outcome the river was afterwards named after the ship. Gray spent nine days on the river trading fur pelts before sailing out of the river.
, who circumnavigated the globe between 1787 and 1790 on the Columbia Rediviva, a trading voyage out of Boston, Massachusetts. He traveled first to the north Pacific coast
of North America
, to trade for furs, and then to China
, to trade the pelts for tea and other Chinese goods.
After his return from that expedition, Gray set sail for the northwest coast again on September 28, 1790, reaching his destination in 1792.
During his first voyage to the northwest coast, Gray was second-in-command of the Columbia Rediviva under Captain John Kendrick
, who remained in the Pacific, in command of the Lady Washington
. On the journey north along the coast to Nootka Sound
, Gray encountered a strong outflow near 46’16”. He spent nine days trying to enter the river without success before abandoning the effort and sailing north for Nootka. Gray rejoined Kendrick for a time after Gray's return to the region. In October the Columbia and crew began building Fort Defiance
and a small craft called the Adventure
as they prepared to ride out the winter in harbor. After wintering on Vancouver Island
, Gray set sail again on April 2, 1792 when he left the American trading post of Clayoquot on Vancouver Island. On this journey aboard the Columbia Rediviva
Gray noticed muddy waters flowing from shore and decided to investigate his belief that it might be the "Great River of the West". While waiting for favorable weather, Gray spotted a ship and exchanged greetings with her on April 29. This ship was the HMS Discovery
commanded by British
naval captain George Vancouver
, who doubted that Gray had found a navigable river-mouth.
Gray informed Vancouver at this chance meeting that he had located a large river at the latitude of 46’10” but had been unable to enter it due to the outflow. However, Vancouver still doubted any river existed there:
So Gray informed Vancouver that he would further investigate that area, and then sailed south after several more days near the Strait of Juan de Fuca
.
at the mouth of the Columbia River
estuary presented a challenge to any ship that attempted to enter the river. In April, Gray attempted to enter the mouth of the river, but bad weather forced him to give up.
After sailing north, meeting Vancouver, and spending a time in Grays Harbor, as it was later named, Gray returned to the river. This time he ordered a small sailboat
launched to attempt to find a safe passage across the sand bars in the process known as sounding. Finally in the evening of May 11, 1792, Gray's men found a safe channel
, and so ship and crew sailed into the estuary of the Columbia River.
Once there they sailed upriver and Gray named this large river Columbia after his ship. The natives called the river Wimahl which translated to Big River. In addition to naming the river, Gray also named other landmarks such as Adams Point and Cape Hancock. However, many of these places have since been re-named. The farthest point Gray explored upriver is now known as Grays Bay, and the river that flows into it Grays River. These names were not given by Gray, but by William Broughton
, George Vancouver's lieutenant, who explored the Columbia in October 1792. Robert Gray had made a chart of the bay and the mouth of the river, a copy of which was acquired by Vancouver.
Once entering the Columbia’s estuary, according to the ship’s log, they were met by many natives in their canoe
s, while the crew prepared to take on fresh water.
Trading with the locals consisted mainly of exchanging nails and other small iron products for pelts
, salmon
, and animal meat such as deer and moose. During the nine day trip on the river, the ship continued to trade amongst the natives on an almost daily basis while performing various repairs and maintenance on the ship. Trading with these natives led to a collection of over 450 animal pelts to be traded in China.
On May 14, the ship reached its furthest point inland, approximately 12-15 miles (19-24 km) upriver. At this point the vessel ran aground briefly and the crew realized they had taken the wrong channel when sounding demonstrated the channel they were in had ended. The Columbia then started slowly to return downriver towards the mouth. Then the next day Captain Gray went ashore with his first mate Mr. Hoskins aboard a jolly-boat to view the country. Gray “landed on the north riverbank, raised the American flag, planted some coins under a large pine tree, and claimed possession for the United States.” By May 18, the ship was about six or seven miles (9-11 km) from the bar. On May 19 the ship was anchored off the native village Chinoak, led by the chief Polack. On this day is when Gray officially named the river Columbia and bestowed other landmarks with names:
Then on May 20, Gray and crew took up anchor around 1 pm to sail for the ocean. Around 2 pm they had sailed over the bar, and by 5 pm the Columbia had left the river and reached the open sea sailing north along the coast. The next day they passed by Grays Harbor on their journey north to rendezvous with their sloop Adventure before setting sail for China. However, before Gray and his crew sailed for China, they returned to Nootka Sound where he passed along news of his discovery to the Spanish commandant there, Quadra
. Gray left with Quadra a chart and description of the river’s mouth that Captain Vancouver obtained a copy of in September. Upon leaving Nootka, the ship sailed for the China
market.
to sell the pelts before returning to Boston in July 1793. Gray's entering of the Columbia was later used, during the Oregon boundary dispute
, to support the American claim to the Oregon Country
, against the claim of Britain. The American and British diplomats raised many points in addition to Gray's voyage to support their cases. Neither side could agree that the other had established a clear and exclusive right of sovereignty. The British raised several points questioning whether Gray's voyage up the Columbia River had any value in establishing sovereignty. The Americans raised counter-points. No agreement was reached on this and many other points about the right to the Oregon Country. In the end the dispute was resolved by compromise in the Oregon Treaty
of 1846. Upon Gray’s return, though, little was thought of his discovery. He did not publish it, and the long-term consequences to which it contributed were unforeseen.
Gray's Harbor, somewhat north along the coast from Columbia's mouth, is named for Robert Gray. Present day Astoria, Oregon
, where John Jacob Astor
would establish his trading post
less than 20 years after Gray’s discovery, is situated on the south shore of the Columbia estuary.
Due to Gray’s naming the river for his ship, the name Columbia has been attached to several names in the Pacific Northwest such as: Columbia County, Oregon
; British Columbia
; Columbia Street in Portland, Oregon
; Columbia City, Oregon
; Columbia City, Seattle, Washington
Captain Gray, Robert Haswell
(Chief Mate
), Joshua Caswell (second mate
), Owing Smith (third mate
), Abraham Waters (Fourth Mate), John Boit (Fifth Mate), John Hoskins, Samuel Homer, Jack atoe, Benjamin Harding/Harden, Samuel Yendell, Nahtan Dweley, John Emes, Popkins, Bart peas, Tom (the cook), Joseph Barnes, John Butler, Bryant Winle, Anteny Lows, Joseph Folger, Andrew Newhil, Elsworth, Weks, Obediar Weston, Isack, Ginnings, Sheperd, George Davidson (painter), Nickels (tailor), and Nathaniel Wooward.
Caswell, Barnes, and Folger were killed on August 12, 1791 by natives. Harding died March 21, 1792 of dysentery
. On March 24, 1792, Haswell took command of the sloop Adventure with Waters and ten others and thus were not part of the discovery of the river.
(also spelled Hezeta) was exploring the northwest coast of North America with the vessels Santiago and Sonora under his command. On his return journey south, with only the Santiago and a reduced crew, Heceta discovered a large bay penetrating far inland. He tried to sail in but the strong currents prevented it, even under a full press of sails. His crew was so reduced that they could not handle the anchor so he could not easily wait for better conditions. He wrote that the seething currents led him to believe it was the mouth of a great river or a passage to another sea. He named the bay Bahia de la Asunciõn and produced a map of what he could discern from outside the Columbia bar. Later Spanish maps often showed the Columbia River's estuary with the name Entrada de Hezeta, Rio de San Roque, and similar variants.
Captain John Meares
, during his 1788 exploration of the Pacific Northwest, had on board a copy of a Spanish map made by Antonio Francisco Maurelle and Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra
which showed the Columbia River's mouth as Entrada descubierta por Dn Bruno Hezeta. On July 6, aboard the 230-ton snow Felice Adventurer, Meares sailed off the mouth of the river at the latitude indicated on the Spanish map, but was unable to find the mouth. He did see the cape on the north side of the entrance and named it Cape Disappointment
, reflecting his failure to find the river's mouth. This led Meares to write in his log: "We can now with safety assert, that no such river as that of St. Roc exists, as laid down in the Spanish charts."
The last known attempt on the Columbia River before Gray’s successful entering of the river was Captain Vancouver’s visit in April 1792.
European ethnic groups
The ethnic groups in Europe are the various ethnic groups that reside in the nations of Europe. European ethnology is the field of anthropology focusing on Europe....
to navigate into it. The voyage, conducted on the Columbia Rediviva
Columbia Rediviva
Columbia Rediviva was a privately owned ship under the command of John Kendrick, along with Captain Robert Gray, best known for going to the Pacific Northwest for the maritime fur trade. The "Rediviva" was added to her name upon a rebuilding in 1787...
, a privately owned ship
Ship
Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...
, was eventually used as a basis for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' claim on the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
, although its relevance to the claim was disputed by the British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
. As a result of the outcome the river was afterwards named after the ship. Gray spent nine days on the river trading fur pelts before sailing out of the river.
Voyage
Captain Gray was a merchant ship captain born in Rhode IslandRhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, who circumnavigated the globe between 1787 and 1790 on the Columbia Rediviva, a trading voyage out of Boston, Massachusetts. He traveled first to the north Pacific coast
Pacific Coast
A country's Pacific coast is the part of its coast bordering the Pacific Ocean.-The Americas:Countries on the western side of the Americas have a Pacific coast as their western border.* Geography of Canada* Geography of Chile* Geography of Colombia...
of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, to trade for furs, and then to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, to trade the pelts for tea and other Chinese goods.
After his return from that expedition, Gray set sail for the northwest coast again on September 28, 1790, reaching his destination in 1792.
During his first voyage to the northwest coast, Gray was second-in-command of the Columbia Rediviva under Captain John Kendrick
John Kendrick (American sea captain)
John Kendrick was an American sea captain, both during the American Revolutionary War and the exploration and maritime fur trading of the Pacific Northwest alongside his partner Robert Gray.-Early life:...
, who remained in the Pacific, in command of the Lady Washington
Lady Washington
Lady Washington is a ship name that is shared by at least 4 different small wooden merchant sailing vessels during two different time periods. They should not be confused with USS Lady Washington. The original sailed for about 10 years in the 18th century. A somewhat updated modern replica was...
. On the journey north along the coast to Nootka Sound
Nootka Sound
Nootka Sound is a complex inlet or sound of the Pacific Ocean on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Historically also known as King George's Sound, as a strait it separates Vancouver Island and Nootka Island.-History:The inlet is part of the...
, Gray encountered a strong outflow near 46’16”. He spent nine days trying to enter the river without success before abandoning the effort and sailing north for Nootka. Gray rejoined Kendrick for a time after Gray's return to the region. In October the Columbia and crew began building Fort Defiance
Fort Defiance (British Columbia)
Fort Defiance was a small outpost built by the crew of the Columbia Rediviva during the winter of 1791-1792. The crew under the command of American merchant and maritime fur trader Captain Robert Gray built the establishment on Meares Island in present day British Columbia, Canada.-History:In early...
and a small craft called the Adventure
Adventure (ship)
The Adventure was a sloop maritime fur trade ship built by the crew of Captain Robert Gray on his second voyage to the Northwest Coast of North America. The 45-ton sloop was built to allow the trading venture to access smaller inlets the Columbia could not reach. At the end of his second voyage...
as they prepared to ride out the winter in harbor. After wintering on Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
, Gray set sail again on April 2, 1792 when he left the American trading post of Clayoquot on Vancouver Island. On this journey aboard the Columbia Rediviva
Columbia Rediviva
Columbia Rediviva was a privately owned ship under the command of John Kendrick, along with Captain Robert Gray, best known for going to the Pacific Northwest for the maritime fur trade. The "Rediviva" was added to her name upon a rebuilding in 1787...
Gray noticed muddy waters flowing from shore and decided to investigate his belief that it might be the "Great River of the West". While waiting for favorable weather, Gray spotted a ship and exchanged greetings with her on April 29. This ship was the HMS Discovery
HMS Discovery (1789)
HMS Discovery was a Royal Navy ship launched in 1789 and best known as the lead ship in George Vancouver's exploration of the west coast of North America in his famous 1791-1795 expedition. She was converted to a bomb vessel in 1798 and participated in the Battle of Copenhagen. Thereafter she...
commanded by British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
naval captain George Vancouver
George Vancouver
Captain George Vancouver RN was an English officer of the British Royal Navy, best known for his 1791-95 expedition, which explored and charted North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions, including the coasts of contemporary Alaska, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon...
, who doubted that Gray had found a navigable river-mouth.
Gray informed Vancouver at this chance meeting that he had located a large river at the latitude of 46’10” but had been unable to enter it due to the outflow. However, Vancouver still doubted any river existed there:
So Gray informed Vancouver that he would further investigate that area, and then sailed south after several more days near the Strait of Juan de Fuca
Strait of Juan de Fuca
The Strait of Juan de Fuca is a large body of water about long that is the Salish Sea outlet to the Pacific Ocean...
.
Entering the Columbia
The treacherous and shifting sand barColumbia Bar
The Columbia Bar is a system of bars and shoals at the mouth of the Columbia River spanning the US states of Oregon and Washington. The bar is about wide and long....
at the mouth of the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
estuary presented a challenge to any ship that attempted to enter the river. In April, Gray attempted to enter the mouth of the river, but bad weather forced him to give up.
After sailing north, meeting Vancouver, and spending a time in Grays Harbor, as it was later named, Gray returned to the river. This time he ordered a small sailboat
Sailboat
A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails. The term covers a variety of boats, larger than small vessels such as sailboards and smaller than sailing ships, but distinctions in the size are not strictly defined and what constitutes a sailing ship, sailboat, or a...
launched to attempt to find a safe passage across the sand bars in the process known as sounding. Finally in the evening of May 11, 1792, Gray's men found a safe channel
Channel (geography)
In physical geography, a channel is the physical confine of a river, slough or ocean strait consisting of a bed and banks.A channel is also the natural or human-made deeper course through a reef, sand bar, bay, or any shallow body of water...
, and so ship and crew sailed into the estuary of the Columbia River.
Once there they sailed upriver and Gray named this large river Columbia after his ship. The natives called the river Wimahl which translated to Big River. In addition to naming the river, Gray also named other landmarks such as Adams Point and Cape Hancock. However, many of these places have since been re-named. The farthest point Gray explored upriver is now known as Grays Bay, and the river that flows into it Grays River. These names were not given by Gray, but by William Broughton
William Robert Broughton
William Robert Broughton was a British naval officer in the late 18th century. As a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, he commanded HMS Chatham as part of the Vancouver Expedition, a voyage of exploration through the Pacific Ocean led by Captain George Vancouver in the early 1790s.-With Vancouver:In...
, George Vancouver's lieutenant, who explored the Columbia in October 1792. Robert Gray had made a chart of the bay and the mouth of the river, a copy of which was acquired by Vancouver.
Once entering the Columbia’s estuary, according to the ship’s log, they were met by many natives in their canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
s, while the crew prepared to take on fresh water.
Trading with the locals consisted mainly of exchanging nails and other small iron products for pelts
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
, salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
, and animal meat such as deer and moose. During the nine day trip on the river, the ship continued to trade amongst the natives on an almost daily basis while performing various repairs and maintenance on the ship. Trading with these natives led to a collection of over 450 animal pelts to be traded in China.
On May 14, the ship reached its furthest point inland, approximately 12-15 miles (19-24 km) upriver. At this point the vessel ran aground briefly and the crew realized they had taken the wrong channel when sounding demonstrated the channel they were in had ended. The Columbia then started slowly to return downriver towards the mouth. Then the next day Captain Gray went ashore with his first mate Mr. Hoskins aboard a jolly-boat to view the country. Gray “landed on the north riverbank, raised the American flag, planted some coins under a large pine tree, and claimed possession for the United States.” By May 18, the ship was about six or seven miles (9-11 km) from the bar. On May 19 the ship was anchored off the native village Chinoak, led by the chief Polack. On this day is when Gray officially named the river Columbia and bestowed other landmarks with names:
Then on May 20, Gray and crew took up anchor around 1 pm to sail for the ocean. Around 2 pm they had sailed over the bar, and by 5 pm the Columbia had left the river and reached the open sea sailing north along the coast. The next day they passed by Grays Harbor on their journey north to rendezvous with their sloop Adventure before setting sail for China. However, before Gray and his crew sailed for China, they returned to Nootka Sound where he passed along news of his discovery to the Spanish commandant there, Quadra
Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra
Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra was a Spanish naval officer born in Lima, Peru. Assigned to the Pacific coast Spanish Naval Department base at San Blas, in the Viceroyalty of New Spain , this navigator explored the Northwest Coast of North America as far north as present day Alaska.Juan...
. Gray left with Quadra a chart and description of the river’s mouth that Captain Vancouver obtained a copy of in September. Upon leaving Nootka, the ship sailed for the China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
market.
Aftermath
A short time after entering the Columbia River and trading with the natives, ship and crew sailed to ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
to sell the pelts before returning to Boston in July 1793. Gray's entering of the Columbia was later used, during the Oregon boundary dispute
Oregon boundary dispute
The Oregon boundary dispute, or the Oregon Question, arose as a result of competing British and American claims to the Pacific Northwest of North America in the first half of the 19th century. Both the United Kingdom and the United States had territorial and commercial aspirations in the region...
, to support the American claim to the Oregon Country
Oregon Country
The Oregon Country was a predominantly American term referring to a disputed ownership region of the Pacific Northwest of North America. The region was occupied by British and French Canadian fur traders from before 1810, and American settlers from the mid-1830s, with its coastal areas north from...
, against the claim of Britain. The American and British diplomats raised many points in addition to Gray's voyage to support their cases. Neither side could agree that the other had established a clear and exclusive right of sovereignty. The British raised several points questioning whether Gray's voyage up the Columbia River had any value in establishing sovereignty. The Americans raised counter-points. No agreement was reached on this and many other points about the right to the Oregon Country. In the end the dispute was resolved by compromise in the Oregon Treaty
Oregon Treaty
The Oregon Treaty is a treaty between the United Kingdom and the United States that was signed on June 15, 1846, in Washington, D.C. The treaty brought an end to the Oregon boundary dispute by settling competing American and British claims to the Oregon Country, which had been jointly occupied by...
of 1846. Upon Gray’s return, though, little was thought of his discovery. He did not publish it, and the long-term consequences to which it contributed were unforeseen.
Gray's Harbor, somewhat north along the coast from Columbia's mouth, is named for Robert Gray. Present day Astoria, Oregon
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811...
, where John Jacob Astor
John Jacob Astor
John Jacob Astor , born Johann Jakob Astor, was a German-American business magnate and investor who was the first prominent member of the Astor family and the first multi-millionaire in the United States...
would establish his trading post
Fort Astoria
Fort Astoria was the Pacific Fur Company's primary fur trading post in the Northwest, and was the first American-owned settlement on the Pacific coast. After a short two-year term of US ownership, the British owned and operated it for 33 years. It was the first British port on the Pacific coast...
less than 20 years after Gray’s discovery, is situated on the south shore of the Columbia estuary.
Due to Gray’s naming the river for his ship, the name Columbia has been attached to several names in the Pacific Northwest such as: Columbia County, Oregon
Columbia County, Oregon
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was named for the Columbia River, which forms its eastern and northern borders. As of 2010, its population was 49,351. The county seat is St. Helens.-Economy:...
; British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
; Columbia Street in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
; Columbia City, Oregon
Columbia City, Oregon
Columbia City is a city in Columbia County, Oregon, United States. It was named for its location on the Columbia River. The population was 1,571 at the 2000 census. The 2007 estimate is 1,955 residents.-History:...
; Columbia City, Seattle, Washington
Columbia City, Seattle, Washington
Columbia City is a neighborhood in the Rainier Valley area of southeast Seattle, Washington, known either for being one of the "hottest" neighborhoods in Seattle, or for its rapid gentrification, depending on one's perspective...
Crew of the Columbia
The following is a list of those on board the Columbia when it sailed from Boston:Captain Gray, Robert Haswell
Robert Haswell
Robert Haswell was an early American maritime fur trader to the Pacific Northwest of North America. His journals of these voyages are the main records of Captain Robert Gray's circumnavigation of the globe...
(Chief Mate
Chief Mate
A Chief Mate or Chief Officer, usually also synonymous with the First Mate or First Officer , is a licensed member and head of the deck department of a merchant ship...
), Joshua Caswell (second mate
Second Mate
A second mate or second officer is a licensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. The second mate is the third in command and a watchkeeping officer, customarily the ship's navigator. Other duties vary, but the second mate is often the medical officer and in charge of maintaining...
), Owing Smith (third mate
Third Mate
A Third Mate or Third Officer is a licensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. The third mate is a watchstander and customarily the ship's safety officer and fourth-in-command...
), Abraham Waters (Fourth Mate), John Boit (Fifth Mate), John Hoskins, Samuel Homer, Jack atoe, Benjamin Harding/Harden, Samuel Yendell, Nahtan Dweley, John Emes, Popkins, Bart peas, Tom (the cook), Joseph Barnes, John Butler, Bryant Winle, Anteny Lows, Joseph Folger, Andrew Newhil, Elsworth, Weks, Obediar Weston, Isack, Ginnings, Sheperd, George Davidson (painter), Nickels (tailor), and Nathaniel Wooward.
Caswell, Barnes, and Folger were killed on August 12, 1791 by natives. Harding died March 21, 1792 of dysentery
Dysentery
Dysentery is an inflammatory disorder of the intestine, especially of the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing mucus and/or blood in the faeces with fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, dysentery can be fatal.There are differences between dysentery and normal bloody diarrhoea...
. On March 24, 1792, Haswell took command of the sloop Adventure with Waters and ten others and thus were not part of the discovery of the river.
Previous explorations
In 1775, Spaniard Bruno de HecetaBruno de Heceta
Bruno de Heceta y Dudagoitia was a Spanish Basque explorer of the Pacific Northwest. Born in Bilbao of an old Basque family, he was sent by the Viceroy of New Spain, Antonio María Bucareli y Ursúa, to explore the area north of Alta California in response to information that there were colonial...
(also spelled Hezeta) was exploring the northwest coast of North America with the vessels Santiago and Sonora under his command. On his return journey south, with only the Santiago and a reduced crew, Heceta discovered a large bay penetrating far inland. He tried to sail in but the strong currents prevented it, even under a full press of sails. His crew was so reduced that they could not handle the anchor so he could not easily wait for better conditions. He wrote that the seething currents led him to believe it was the mouth of a great river or a passage to another sea. He named the bay Bahia de la Asunciõn and produced a map of what he could discern from outside the Columbia bar. Later Spanish maps often showed the Columbia River's estuary with the name Entrada de Hezeta, Rio de San Roque, and similar variants.
Captain John Meares
John Meares
John Meares was a navigator, explorer, and maritime fur trader, best known for his role in the Nootka Crisis, which brought Britain and Spain to the brink of war.- Career :...
, during his 1788 exploration of the Pacific Northwest, had on board a copy of a Spanish map made by Antonio Francisco Maurelle and Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra
Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra
Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra was a Spanish naval officer born in Lima, Peru. Assigned to the Pacific coast Spanish Naval Department base at San Blas, in the Viceroyalty of New Spain , this navigator explored the Northwest Coast of North America as far north as present day Alaska.Juan...
which showed the Columbia River's mouth as Entrada descubierta por Dn Bruno Hezeta. On July 6, aboard the 230-ton snow Felice Adventurer, Meares sailed off the mouth of the river at the latitude indicated on the Spanish map, but was unable to find the mouth. He did see the cape on the north side of the entrance and named it Cape Disappointment
Cape Disappointment (Washington)
Cape Disappointment is a headland located at the extreme southwestern corner of Washington State on the north side of the Columbia River bar, at . The point of the cape is located on the Pacific Ocean in Pacific County, approximately two miles southwest of the town of Ilwaco...
, reflecting his failure to find the river's mouth. This led Meares to write in his log: "We can now with safety assert, that no such river as that of St. Roc exists, as laid down in the Spanish charts."
The last known attempt on the Columbia River before Gray’s successful entering of the river was Captain Vancouver’s visit in April 1792.