Nathaniel Portlock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nathaniel Portlock
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Nathaniel Portlock
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| Born | c. 1749 |
| Died | 12 September 1817 Greenwich |
| Buried |
Greenwich
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| Service/ |
Royal Navy |
| Rank | Captain |
Nathaniel Portlock (born around 1748 – died 12 September 1817) was a British ship captain, a trader of animal furs, and an author. He explored many parts of the world.
Contents
Early Life and Voyages
Nathaniel Portlock joined the Royal Navy in 1772. He started as an able seaman, which is a skilled sailor. His first ship was the HMS St Albans.
Exploring with Captain Cook
In 1776, Portlock joined HMS Discovery. This ship was part of James Cook's third big journey across the Pacific Ocean. During this amazing expedition, in August 1779, Portlock moved to Cook's main ship, HMS Resolution.
After Cook's voyage, Portlock passed his lieutenant's exam in 1780. He then served on HMS Firebrand with the Channel fleet, which protected the waters around Britain.
The Great Fur Trade Adventure
During Cook's third voyage, the explorers found that furs from places like British Columbia and Alaska sold for a lot of money in Macao (now part of China). This discovery led to a new business called the Maritime fur trade.
Starting a Trading Company
In 1785, Nathaniel Portlock teamed up with Richard Cadman Etches and other partners. They formed a company called the King George's Sound Company. Their goal was to trade furs. George Dixon, who had also sailed with Cook on the Resolution, was one of Portlock's partners.
Journey to the Pacific
In September 1785, Portlock and Dixon set sail from England. Portlock commanded the larger ship, the King George, which had a crew of 59. Dixon commanded the Queen Charlotte, with 33 crew members.
They sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and reached the Falkland Islands in January 1786. Then, they bravely sailed around Cape Horn, the southern tip of South America, to enter the Pacific Ocean.
Exploring New Lands
On May 24, they arrived at the Hawaiian Islands. They anchored in Kealakekua Bay, where Captain Cook had been killed. However, they did not go ashore there. They got fresh food from other Hawaiian islands and then continued their journey north to what is now Alaska.
For two years, Portlock and Dixon explored the waters of North America, trading for furs. They finally left North America and reached Macau in November 1788.
Publishing Their Adventures
When they returned home, Portlock and Dixon wrote a book about their voyage. The book was based on letters written by William Beresford, who was the trader on their expedition.
In 1791, Portlock rejoined the Royal Navy. He was given command of the brig HMS Assistant. This ship sailed with William Bligh on his second voyage. Their mission was to transport breadfruit plants from Tahiti to the Caribbean.
Later Commands and Death
After returning to England in 1793, Portlock was promoted to commander. He later commanded the sloop HMS Arrow. In 1799, he became a captain.
From 1803 to 1807, he served as a commander for the Sea Fencibles. This was a special group that protected the British coast from enemy attacks. Nathaniel Portlock passed away on September 12, 1817, in Greenwich Hospital.
Legacy
Nathaniel Portlock's son, Major-General Joseph Ellison Portlock, also became a famous British geologist and soldier.
Several places were named in Nathaniel Portlock's honor:
- Portlock Harbor: A bay on the west coast of Alaska's Chichagof Island. Portlock named it in 1789 after visiting it in 1787.
- Portlock, Alaska: A settlement that was active in the early to mid-1900s.
- Portlock Glacier: A glacier on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula.
