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What Happened to Henry Hudson?

The daring explorer was searching for a route that would make him famous—until his life ended mysteriously. 

January 3, 2022
By Sarah Wells

As You Read, Think About: Why did Henry Hudson want to find a shortcut to Asia?

Trapped! In November 1610, Henry Hudson’s ship, the Discovery, got stuck in a huge sheet of ice. The English explorer and his crew had no choice but to set up camp along the shore of what is now James Bay, in Canada. Seven months later, in June 1611, the weather had finally warmed enough for them to set sail again. 

But before Hudson could sail any farther, members of his crew staged a mutiny. They tied the captain’s hands behind his back. They forced him off the ship into a small rowboat, along with his 17-year-old son and seven other men. The small group was set adrift and watched helplessly as the Discovery sailed away without them. 

Hudson was never heard from again. Why did most of his crew turn on him—and what became of the explorer?

Trapped! In November 1610, Henry Hudson’s ship, the Discovery, got stuck in a huge sheet of ice. The English explorer and his crew had no choice but to set up camp along the shore of what is now James Bay, in Canada. Seven months later, in June 1611, the weather had finally warmed enough for them to set sail again.

But before Hudson could sail any farther, members of his crew staged a mutiny. They tied the captain’s hands behind his back. They forced him off the ship into a small rowboat. His 17-year-old son and seven other men were also with him. The small group was set adrift. They watched helplessly as the Discovery sailed away without them. 

Hudson was never heard from again. Why did most of his crew turn on him? And what became of the explorer?

Search for a Shortcut

Like many European explorers of that era, Hudson had been looking for a shortcut to Asia. At the time, Asian spices like pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon were valued as medicines. But getting to Asia could take years of sailing through dangerous waters. A more direct route would save time, money, and lives.

Hudson failed in his first two attempts to find that route, in 1607 and again the following year. But his third voyage would later make him a part of American history.

Like many European explorers of that era, Hudson had been looking for a shortcut to Asia. At the time, Asian spices like pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon were valued as medicines. But getting to Asia could take years of sailing through dangerous waters. A more direct route would save time, money, and lives.

Hudson failed in his first two attempts to find that route, in 1607 and again the following year. But his third voyage would later make him a part of American history.

Famous Fail

Sarin Images/The Granger Collection

In 1609, Hudson was hired by the Dutch East India Company to once again search for a faster trade route to Asia. After five months at sea aboard a ship called the Half Moon, Hudson and his crew arrived at what he hoped was the shortcut he had been looking for. Instead, it turned out to be a river near modern-day New York City. Years later, it would be named the Hudson River, after the explorer.

Indigenous groups had already called the area home for thousands of years, but it was new to explorers from Europe. 

“No European had ever mapped the Hudson River before,” says historian Peter Mancall, who wrote a book about Hudson. “The river gets put on the map because of him.”

In 1609, Hudson was hired by the Dutch East India Company to once again search for a faster trade route to Asia. After five months at sea aboard a ship called the Half Moon, Hudson and his crew arrived at what he hoped was the shortcut he had been looking for. Instead, it turned out to be a river near modern-day New York City. Years later, it would be named the Hudson River, after the explorer.

Indigenous groups had already called the area home for thousands of years. But it was new to explorers from Europe.  

“No European had ever mapped the Hudson River before,” says historian Peter Mancall, who wrote a book about Hudson. “The river gets put on the map because of him.”

Map It Out

In the 17th century, most Europeans reached Asia by traveling south, around Africa. Hudson was looking for a shorter northern water route called the Northwest Passage. 

Based on the map, why did Hudson’s attempts to find the Northwest Passage to Asia fail?

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

Map It Out

In the 17th century, most Europeans reached Asia by traveling south, around Africa. Hudson was looking for a shorter northern water route called the Northwest Passage. 

Based on the map, why did Hudson’s attempts to find the Northwest Passage to Asia fail?

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

The Bitter End

Hudson set sail on his fourth expedition, aboard the Discovery, in 1610. It would be his last.

On this trip, Hudson and his crew sailed down what is now Hudson Bay into James Bay, where the water route ended. By the time the frigid winter arrived, the crew was fed up. They were tired, cold, and starving. Some of the crew argued with Hudson, who refused to return home. He wanted to continue searching for a new route to Asia. The crew eventually did sail back to England—but only after forcing their captain off the ship.

No one knows for sure what happened to Hudson. There are no records of his life after the mutiny. One theory is that he survived by joining up with local Native peoples. But many experts, including Mancall, say Hudson likely died during the next winter.

Though Hudson never found what he was looking for, Mancall says he was still a success.

“Many people think Hudson was a failure,” Mancall explains. “But he was a courageous explorer, willing to take risks.”

Hudson set sail on his fourth expedition, aboard the Discovery, in 1610. It would be his last.

On this trip, Hudson and his crew sailed down what is now Hudson Bay into James Bay. That's where the water route ended. By the time the frigid winter arrived, the crew was fed up. They were tired, cold, and starving. Some of the crew argued with Hudson. He refused to return home. He wanted to continue searching for a new route to Asia. The crew eventually did sail back to England—but only after forcing their captain off the ship.

No one knows for sure what happened to Hudson. There are no records of his life after the mutiny. One theory is that he survived by joining up with local Native peoples. But many experts, including Mancall, say Hudson likely died during the next winter.

Though Hudson never found what he was looking for, Mancall says he was still a success.

“Many people think Hudson was a failure,” Mancall explains. “But he was a courageous explorer, willing to take risks.”

1. According to the article, why would a shortcut from Europe to Asia have been helpful in the early 1600s?

2. What led to the mutiny of the Discovery crew in 1611?

3. What is the purpose of the map on page 3?

1. According to the article, why would a shortcut from Europe to Asia have been helpful in the early 1600s?

2. What led to the mutiny of the Discovery crew in 1611?

3. What is the purpose of the map on page 3?

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