Henry+Hudson

 Henry Hudson

In 1565, a great explorer was born. He was a brave and risk taking person. His name was Henry Hudson. He was best known for finding Hudson Bay, Hudson River, and the Hudson Strait. He also tried to find the Northeast Passage to India. Not much was known about Henry Hudson’s early life, but all I do know is that he loved the sea so much he became a sailor. He worked for a couple of sailing companies before he became an explorer. On his first expedition (1607) he still believed in the Northeast Passage to India, so he went to look for it. He grabbed his crew and his ship, the Hopewell. They sailed for a long time, but they were forced to go back to England because of harsh weather. After about a year he went back at it with the same crew and ship and began his second voyage (1608). However, because of horrible weather, he and his crew returned back home. These two explorations were paid by The English Muscovy Company. One year later, on his third expedition (1609) he tried again with a different crew, ship, and company. His boat was the Half Moon and the company was the Dutch Trading company. So far The English Muscovy Company wasn’t going to pay, but the Dutch United East Company gave him a chance. He set sail from Holland and landed in New York. This time he did discover something. He was sailing over where New York is today and discovered the Hudson River. Afterwards, he went back to Dartmouth. Hudson wanted more voyages with the Dutch company but the English did not want him to have any more trips with them. Sadly he was arrested for sailing with the Dutch flag. He said goodbye to the Half Moon and demanded more voyages. His fourth and final voyage (1610) was financed by Thomas Smith an Englishman. Hudson got a new crew and a new ship the Discovery. He left from England, with his son John (20 at the time), the crew, and the Discovery. He had smooth sailing while going across the Atlantic. They started going into a water way, now known as the Hudson Strait ( named after him). For a couple days he really thought he found the Northeast passage but he did not. He was really in a bay in Canada, the Hudson Bay, which was discovered by him. During the winter of 1610 -1611, Hudson and his crew set up camp near what is now known as James Bay. When his crew found out that Hudson was hoarding food, they mutinied. They put Hudson, his son John and some other crew members in a small boat and set them adrift. Sadly, they were never seen or heard from again. I think his explorations were good for the Dutch and English. It is also good to know that the bodies of water were named after him.

By, Matthew Perzanowski