Alexander Mackenzie Reaches the Pacific

Second Voyage (to Pacific)
October 12, 1792 - July 19, 1793

His second expedition left Fort Chipewyan on October 12, 1792. Much of Mackenzie's success can be attributed to his willingness to follow the advice of Native people.

Mackenzie's expedition travelled up a number of rivers and smaller creeks and lakes until it finally reached the Fraser River. They reached the Pacific Ocean on July 19, 1793. Mackenzie left an inscription on what is now known as Mackenzie Rock. People can still read it today.

Mackenzie successfully reached the Pacific Ocean on his second voyage Copyright/Source

All Set!
Armed with his newly acquired knowledge of navigation, as well as a compass, sextant, chronometer and telescope, Mackenzie set off on his next adventure. He still relied almost totally on Native people to provide food and supplies, to paddle his canoe and to show him the way.

Magnetic Compass
This compass contained a needle of magnetized metal that always pointed north, helping seamen guide their ship.

Telescope
Nicknamed the "bring'em near" for its abilities to bring things far away into view, the telescope was an important navigational tool. Seamen could also detect land by looking at the clouds and watching for seabirds.

Alexander Mackenzie - Grafitti Artist
When he reached the Pacific Ocean on the West Coast, Mackenzie wrote a message on a rock. He wrote about it in his journal: "I now mixed up some vermillion in melted grease and wrote in large letters, on the rock on which we had slept last night: Alexander Mackenzie, from Canada by land, the twenty-second of July, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three."

Livesey, Robert. The Fur Traders, Toronto: Stoddart, ©1989, p. 48.

Lost and Found
It is said that when Dene Indians were told Mackenzie had found the great river, they replied they hadn't known it was lost!

Struzik, Ed. Northwest Passage: The Quest for an Arctic Route to the East. Toronto: Key Porter Books, ©1991, p. 6.