Martin Frobisher's expeditions, 1576–78
| Dates | Explorer | Ships | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1576–78 | Martin Frobisher | Gabriel, Michael | • Didn’t find the North-West Passage. • Did discover something he thought was gold ore, but was actually iron pyrites |
The English search for the North-West Passage began in earnest with a voyage captained by Martin Frobisher in 1576. After reaching Resolution Island Frobisher thought he may have found the entrance to the passage but had instead found a bay on the south of Baffin Island (a bay which now bears his name). On this trip he ran into trouble with native Inuits who kidnapped five of his men (they were never seen again).
Second and third voyages
Frobisher didn’t return to England empty-handed. Included in the artifacts he brought back was 'a piece of black stone' which upon examination in London was thought by some to contain gold. This was enough for Frobisher’s backer to fund more voyages. On his second voyage in 1577 Frobisher returned with 200 tons of ore – which turned out to be worthless.
Undeterred, a third voyage with a small armada of ships was sent the following year returning with over a thousand tons of ore. Specially built furnaces at Dartford revealed, sadly, that Frobisher’s fleet had brought back nothing more than 'fools' gold' (iron pyrites which appear as brassy yellow, cubic crystals).