Vancouver, George (1757-1798), was a British explorer. Vancouver Island is named for him. So are cities in Washington and in British Columbia, Canada.
Vancouver was born on June 22, 1757, at King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England. He entered the Navy as an able seaman at the age of 13. His early experiences were on Captain James Cook’s two last voyages (see Cook, James ). Vancouver served as a midshipman on the last voyage.
An incident concerning Nootka Sound threatened war between Britain and Spain. Nootka Sound lies off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Vancouver was ordered there. He sailed in April 1791. He sailed by way of the Cape of Good Hope, Australia, and New Zealand, following Cook’s example. He made valuable charts of the coasts of these areas. He reached the American continent in 1792. Vancouver met with the Spanish to settle claims involving Nootka Sound. Then he sailed through Juan de Fuca Strait and around Vancouver Island. His surveys of the west coast of North America from San Diego to southern Alaska were pioneering achievements. He returned to England via Cape Horn in 1795. He wrote a book, A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean and Round the World in the Years 1790-1795. It was published in 1798. He died on May 12, 1798.
