Exploration

Jacques Cartier

artier, a French mariner and explorer, was born in St. Malo, France, in 1491.

He was commissioned to journey to the New World and found a passage in the Northwest to China by King Francis the first of France. In April 1534, at age 43, Cartier left St. Malo with two ships, and sighted land (today known as Newfoundland) after 20 days. After traversing through Belle Isle Strait (between Newfoundland and Labrador), he changed course to south and sailed along Newfoundland's western coast. Thereafter, Cartier led his crew around the whole of the Guld of St. Lawrence. He sighted Prince Edward Island as well as the main land of New Brunswick. Hereafter he entered Chaleur Bay (named by Cartier), berthed at Gaspe Peninsula, and later traversed the estuary of the St. Lawrence River.

Upon King Francis' order, Cartier re-crossed Belle Isle in 1535 and sailed up the St. Lawrence River. On this occasion Cartier named the river for the day of his entry, which was August 10th and the feast day of St. Lawrence. Cartier sailed as far as Stadacona (a native American hamlet, where Quebec stands today). Thereafter, he sailed up the river to Hochelaga (a native American village) where he sighted the Ottawa River and Lachine Rapids. Cartier named the Rapids, as he determinedly believed that China - in French, la Chine - lay beyond them. Cartier then also named a hill Monte Real (in French "Mount Royal"), from which Montreal has its origins.

Cartier set sail for France after spending a winter in Stadacona, and held his course south of Newfoundland. He then passed through (for the first time) what is today known as Cabot Strait.

Cartier began his third voyage in 1541. He sailed up the St. Lawrence River too as far as Lachine Rapids, in the hopes of securing a French colony in Canada. Unfortunately, the harsh winter conditions and scurvy halted the expedition, and in 1542 Cartier returned to France. He lived in St. Malo for the rest of his life and died there in 1557. He left behind and account of his voyages and discoveries. Much of France's influence and claim to Canada is founded on Cartier's expeditions and conquests.