Martin Frobisher was an English explorer and privateer who made three voyages to the New World in the late 16th century. He is best known for his attempts to find a Northwest Passage to the Orient, and for his involvement in the first English attempts to establish a permanent settlement in North America.
Frobisher was born in 1535 in Yorkshire, England. He was the son of a wealthy merchant and was educated at Cambridge University. He began his career as a privateer, raiding Spanish ships in the Caribbean. In 1576, he was hired by the Muscovy Company to explore the Arctic in search of a Northwest Passage to the Orient.
Frobisher's first voyage, in 1576, was a failure. He was unable to find a passage and returned to England with a cargo of what he believed to be gold ore. The ore turned out to be worthless, but Frobisher was undeterred. He set out again in 1577, this time with three ships and a crew of over 100 men.
Frobisher's second voyage was more successful. He explored the coasts of Greenland and Labrador, and discovered a strait which he named after himself. He also encountered the Inuit people, who he described as "very gentle and loving people". He returned to England with a cargo of ore, which was again found to be worthless.
Frobisher's third voyage, in 1578, was his most ambitious. He sailed to the New World with a fleet of 15 ships and a crew of over 500 men. He explored the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador, and established a settlement on the island of Baffin. He also explored the coasts of Greenland and Labrador, and discovered a strait which he named after himself.
Frobisher's voyages were the first English attempts to establish a permanent settlement in North America. He also explored the coasts of Greenland and Labrador, and discovered a strait which he named after himself. Unfortunately, his attempts to find a Northwest Passage to the Orient were unsuccessful.
Frobisher's legacy is one of exploration and adventure. He was one of the first English explorers to venture into the New World, and his voyages laid the groundwork for future English exploration and settlement in North America. He also helped to popularize the idea of a Northwest Passage to the Orient, which would later be explored by other English explorers such as Henry Hudson and John Cabot.
Frobisher's voyages were a significant event in the history of exploration and colonization. He was one of the first English explorers to venture into the New World, and his voyages laid the groundwork for future English exploration and settlement in North America. His legacy is one of exploration and adventure, and his name is still remembered today.