North Bentinck Arm facts for kids
North Bentinck Arm is a short inlet, like a narrow arm of the sea, located on the Central Coast in British Columbia, Canada. It stretches about 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) long. This inlet is connected to Burke Channel and then to Dean Channel. Dean Channel is one of the biggest inlets along the BC Coast.
North Bentinck Arm is famous for a special historical event. In 1793, a brave explorer named Alexander Mackenzie reached the Pacific Ocean here. He had traveled a very long way overland from Lake Athabasca. He followed the Peace and Fraser Rivers to get to this spot.
Alexander Mackenzie's Historic Journey
On July 20, 1793, Alexander Mackenzie completed his amazing journey. He was the first European to cross North America north of Mexico. He needed to find a clear spot to check his location using the stars. The next day, he traveled by canoe with four Nuxalk Indigenous people. They went to Dean Channel.
They stopped at a place that is now part of Sir Alexander Mackenzie Provincial Park. There, you can see a large rock on the shoreline. It has a message carved into it: "Alexander MacKenzie, from Canada by land 22d July 1793". Mackenzie just missed meeting another explorer, James Johnstone. Johnstone was part of Captain George Vancouver's team. He also visited North Bentinck Arm that same year, just a few weeks later.
How North Bentinck Arm Got Its Name
The names "North Bentinck Arm" and "South Bentinck Arm" were given by George Vancouver. He named them "Bentinck Arms" in 1793. This was in honor of the House of Portland. At that time, the Duke of Portland was William Henry Cavendish Bentinck.
Home of the Nuxalk Nation
This inlet is the traditional land of the Nuxalk Nation. Their main community is next to the town of Bella Coola. Bella Coola is located at the very end of the inlet. The Nuxalk people are also known as the Bella Coola people.
