Henry Hudson was an Englishman. We know little of his early days. He is believed to be the grandson of an alderman or councilor and co-founder of the Moscow Society. He made his way from a mere cabin boy to become a ship’s pilot.
In 1607, the Moscow Society allowed him to discover the northern sea route to China. When Hudson failed, Ian is believed by some to have discovered Mayen Island in Norway. In 1609, the Dutch East India Company selected Hudson with the same object. He was specially briefed to sail around the Arctic Ocean, to reach the Pacific and the East. But this time, too, he was overcome by too much ice. So he decided to reach North America through the southwest.
Hudson sailed in his ship Half Moon and crossed the Atlantic Ocean. He explored Chesapeake and Delaware Bay and was convinced that it would be inappropriate to point the way to the Pacific Ocean. Then the middle moon sailed to the mouth of the Hudson River. Hudson explored the country very much. From the scouts the Dutch were able to claim the territory for themselves. The new region of Amsterdam is well-known. In October of that year, as he approached Manhattan, the native Indians attacked the Half Moon. The enemy was repulsed and many barbarians were killed in the process. Soon the Half Moon began its journey back to Europe. The ship docked at Dartmouth, Devon, England on the 7th of November. Here Hudson was detained with his Englishmen, and the rest were permitted to complete their journey to Holland.
In 1610, Hudson made what would be his last voyage. Financially he was put at a disadvantage by two British companies, the East India Company and the Virginia Company. When the captain of the new ship Discovery reached Iceland, he sailed around the southern tip of Greenland and was confident that he would discover much he was looking for during the North West Passage. On the 2nd of August the ship reached Hudson Bay. Here he explored and divided the shores of the Hudson. Soon winter set in and the ship was caught in the ice. The boat moved to the shores. When the spring came, Hudson was engaged in continuing his voyage, but some of his companions wished to sail home, and played mutiny. They sent Hudson and his young son and seven of Hudson’s supporters into a small boat and put her into exile. Without any food, water or weapons they are sure to die.
Hudson’s death is a mystery. He was never seen again. It is thought that he survived for some time, but that he died in 1611. Few of his companions reached Europe. The children were allowed to go, namely because they had a wealth of valuable information about the new continent.
