Historical story

What are facts about Martin frobisher?

Facts about Martin Frobisher

* Explorer and navigator: Born around 1535 in Doncaster, England, Martin Frobisher was a renowned explorer and navigator. He is recognized for his expeditions to North America in search of a Northwest Passage, a route that would provide a direct sea route from Europe to Asia.

* Three Voyages to the Arctic: Frobisher made three voyages to the Arctic in search of the Northwest Passage. His first voyage took place in 1576, where he explored the coast of Labrador and Baffin Island. In his second voyage in 1577, he ventured further into the Arctic, reaching Frobisher Bay, which he erroneously believed was the entrance to the elusive Northwest Passage. His third voyage in 1578 aimed to establish a settlement in the region, but it faced challenges and was ultimately unsuccessful.

* Discovery of Gold Ore: During his expeditions, Martin Frobisher discovered what he believed to be gold ore on Baffin Island. He brought back significant amounts of the ore, which led to considerable excitement in England. However, further examination revealed that the ore contained little gold, resulting in disappointment.

* Establishment of Meta Incognita: Frobisher named the region where he believed he had discovered gold "Meta Incognita," meaning "unknown land." This name was used for several years to refer to the region before being replaced with more specific geographical designations.

* Northwest Passage Search: Frobisher's expeditions were part of the larger quest for the Northwest Passage, which had been a long-standing goal of explorers and merchants seeking a shorter route to Asia. Although he failed to find the passage, his voyages contributed to the exploration of the Arctic and increased European knowledge of the region.

* Naval Career and Knighthood: Martin Frobisher also had a successful naval career, participating in several important battles and rising to the rank of Admiral. In recognition of his achievements, he was knighted in 1588 by Queen Elizabeth I.

* Death: Martin Frobisher died in 1594 at the age of 59 during an attack on Brest, France, while serving in the English fleet under Sir John Norris.

Martin Frobisher's explorations and search for the Northwest Passage left a lasting impact on the history of exploration and contributed to the understanding of the Arctic regions during his time.