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PNW: Age of Exploration. Spain Extends Its Claims. Juan Perez – 1774 sent to investigate rumors of Russians claiming NW coast North to 58°N Two silver spoons – marked the Spanish claim. More Spanish Ships.
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Spain Extends Its Claims • Juan Perez – 1774 sent to investigate rumors of Russians claiming NW coast • North to 58°N • Two silver spoons – marked the Spanish claim
More Spanish Ships • 1775, Bruno de Hezeta (Heceta) lands at Grenville Bay to perform official land claim ritual. • Crew ambushed & killed (Quinault) • Mouth of Columbia sighted but not entered
Challenges for Explorers • Position – longitude • Unknown coastal waters • Unfriendly natives • Scurvy: Patients who subsist on diets devoid of fresh fruits and vegetables are vulnerable. • Sailors known as “limeys”
England Gets Into the Game Captain James Cook 1778 – Nootka Sound
Juan de Fuca • Apostolos Valerianos, tale of the NW Passage • Charles Barkley and wife mark the waterway with his name (1787) • First European woman in the PNW
Nootka, first English trading post • 1788 John Meares, retired British commander • Trading post, first ship built on the PNW • Brought Chinese in as cheap labor • Seized by the Spanish
Nootka Controversy • Ships & crew taken to Mexico • International incident • 42°N, border of northern CA, limit of Spanish claims Nootka Sound
George Vancouver - 1792 • 2nd & 3rd Cook Voyages • Explored inland thru the Strait of Juan de Fuca • Lt Peter Puget, Puget Sound
The Russians • 1728 Vitus Bering • Sent by Czar Peter the Great – extent of Russian lands? • 1799 Russian-American Company at Sitka • 1812 Fort Ross, CA
Trade • Sea otter pelts • $$$ in China • One pelt worth 1 yr’s pay for average sailor • Capt Cook 1st to exploit
USA – Capt. Robert Gray • 1792 Gray sails into the mouth of the Columbia River • Claims all lands that drain into the river for USA