Joseph Ingraham facts for kids

Joseph Ingraham (1762–1800) was an American sailor and explorer. He was also a fur trader, meaning he bought and sold animal furs. Joseph Ingraham discovered some islands in the Pacific Ocean. He was also a soldier in the American Revolutionary War and an officer in the United States Navy.

Early Life and First Voyages

Joseph Ingraham was born in 1762. When he was young, he became a sailor. During the American Revolutionary War, he was captured by the British. He spent some time as a prisoner on a British prison ship.

In 1787, Ingraham worked as a second mate on a ship called the Columbia Rediviva. The ship was led by Captain John Kendrick. They sailed to the Pacific Northwest to trade for animal furs.

Exploring the Pacific Ocean

Ingraham's journey from 1790 to 1793

On September 16, 1790, Joseph Ingraham began a new adventure. He became the captain of a ship called the brig Hope. He sailed from Boston, a city in the United States. The ship's owners wanted him to go back to the northwest coast. His goal was to trade for more furs.

Ingraham and his ship sailed around Cape Horn on January 26, 1791. This is a very southern tip of South America. Their next stop was Madre de Dios Island in Chile on April 14. They picked up supplies there.

Discovering New Islands

A few days later, on April 19, 1792, Captain Ingraham made an exciting discovery. He found a small group of islands that were not on any maps. These islands were located south of the Equator.

Captain Ingraham named this group the Washington Islands. He also gave names to many of the individual islands. He named them after important American figures. For example, he named one Island after President George Washington. Another was named Adams Island for the vice president. He also named islands Federal, Franklin, Knox Island, and Lincoln Island. Today, these islands are part of the Marquesas Islands.

Trading for Furs

After exploring the Marquesas, Ingraham sailed north. He visited the Sandwich Islands. Then he continued to the Queen Charlotte Islands. These islands are off the northwest coast of North America.

Once he reached North America, Ingraham began trading. He exchanged goods for fur pelts with the native people. On September 26, 1792, he met his old captain, Robert Gray. Captain Gray was leading the ship Columbia. They met in Neah Bay. Gray was there to sell a small boat to the Spanish.

The next day, Ingraham and the Hope sailed with a Spanish ship called Princesa. The Spanish ship was taking a new leader to Nootka Sound. After a summer of trading, Ingraham sailed to China. He then returned to Boston. This long journey was not very successful for the fur trade.

Later Life and Legacy

In the late 1790s, the United States had an undeclared war with France. This was called the Quasi-War. Joseph Ingraham served as an officer in the U.S. Navy during this time. He was a lieutenant.

Sadly, Joseph Ingraham was lost at sea in the fall of 1800. He was serving on the USS Pickering when it disappeared.

Today, two places in Alaska are named after him. These are Ingraham Bay and Ingraham Point.

See also

In Spanish: Joseph Ingraham para niños