Samuel Hearne and Matonabbee's Trek to the Arctic Ocean

First Inland Trading Post

In 1773, Hearne was chosen to start the Hudson's Bay Company's first western inland trading post, Cumberland House.

After that he took command of Prince of Wales Fort. He was there from 1776 until 1782, when three French warships arrived. Hearne realized he was outnumbered and surrendered quickly.

A north-west view of Prince of Wales Fort in Hudson Bay, by Samuel Hearne, 1777 Copyright/Source

He returned in 1783 to oversee the rebuilding of Fort Churchill. In 1787, he retired and returned to England.

There's Nothing Like a Good Book
Hearne started working on a book about his travels while he was at Prince of Wales Fort. When three French ships under Jean-François de Galaup, Comte de La Pérouse, arrived to take over the fort, Hearne surrendered.

The fort was burned to the ground, but when Laperouse read Hearne's manuscript, he thought it was wonderful and urged Hearne to publish it.

Gillmor, Don and Pierre Turgeon. Canada: A People's History. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, ©2000, p. 194.

	As Commander of Prince of Wales Fort, Hearne kept many different kinds of animals for pets: mink, muskrat, geese, foxes, hawks and beaver. He wrote this about them: "They became so domesticated as to answer their name, and follow in the same manner as a dog would do; and they were as much pleased at being fondled, as any animal I ever saw. During the winter they lived on the same food as the women and were remarkably fond of rice and plum-pudding." Gillmor, Don and Pierre Turgeon. Canada: A People's History. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, ©2000, p. 194.