William Douglas (sea captain) facts for kids

William Douglas (died 1791) was a Scottish ship captain and a fur trader in the late 1700s. He worked with British Captain John Meares, commanding a ship called Iphigenia Nubiana. Douglas was involved in the Nootka Crisis of 1789, a time when Britain and Spain almost went to war. Later, he captained the American ship Grace. In 1791, he teamed up with Captain John Kendrick to try and open trade with Japan.

Captain of the Iphigenia

Trading Voyages in 1788

Douglas was an officer on the ship Nootka during Meares's first fur trading trip to the Pacific Northwest coast from 1786 to 1787. In 1788, in Macau, China, Meares started a business with other merchants and captains. They bought two new ships, the Felice Adventurer and the Iphigenia Nubiana, often called Felice and Iphigenia.

Meares took command of Felice. He made Douglas captain of Iphigenia and the second-in-command of the whole trip. Meares said Douglas "was well acquainted with the coast of America."

The ships sailed under the Portuguese flag to avoid high costs and rules for British ships. They were registered in Macau under a Portuguese merchant. This trick was common for traders at the time.

Felice and Iphigenia left Macau on January 22, 1788. Meares wanted to set up permanent fur trading posts on the Pacific Northwest coast. Felice carried materials to build a house and a small ship at Nootka Sound. Fifty Chinese men were hired to help with building and running the posts. They were the first Chinese people known to visit the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii.

The ships also carried some Native Hawaiians and Native Americans. These included Tianna (also known as Kaʻiana), a chief from Kauai, and Winee, a Hawaiian girl. There were also two natives from Maui and a Nuu-chah-nulth man from Vancouver Island named Comekela. Winee became sick and died shortly after the ships left Macau.

Meares and Douglas planned for Felice to go to Nootka Sound and Iphigenia to sail to the Aleutian Islands and then down the coast. They would meet at Nootka Sound or Hawaii. This plan would allow them to explore the entire coast from Spanish California to the Bering Sea. At that time, much of the Pacific Northwest coast was still unknown.

While crossing the South China Sea, Iphigenia was slow and started leaking. The crew also got scurvy. So, the two ships sailed to Zamboanga in the Philippines for repairs. Meares transferred Kaiana and the other Hawaiians to Iphigenia, asking Douglas to take them home. Comekela stayed on Felice, which left Zamboanga quickly.

Douglas left with the repaired Iphigenia on February 22, 1788. Because of the delay, he decided to sail directly to the Pacific Northwest coast first, to arrive in time for the fur trading season.

Felice reached America first, arriving at Nootka Sound on May 13, 1788. Comekela returned to his people. Chiefs Maquinna and Callicum visited Meares. Meares claimed that Maquinna sold him land for a trading post. This claim later caused a big argument between Britain and Spain, known as the Nootka Crisis. Meares built a house and started building a small ship called North West America, which was launched in September.

Douglas and Iphigenia had not arrived by June, so Meares sailed south to collect furs. He left some men at Nootka Sound. Meares returned in July, but Douglas was still not there. On August 26, Iphigenia was finally seen, and Captain Douglas anchored in Nootka Sound on August 27.

As planned, Douglas had crossed the North Pacific to the Aleutian Islands. He explored Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound in Alaska, then sailed south, trading for furs. Douglas's trip helped confirm that there were many islands along the coast, not just the mainland.

Douglas and Meares had collected many valuable furs. Meares decided to take Felice and all the furs to Macau, China. Douglas and Iphigenia would stay at Nootka Sound until North West America was ready. Then, they would sail to Hawaii for the winter and return to the Northwest Coast the next spring.

On September 17, 1788, before North West America was finished, the American fur trader Robert Gray arrived at Nootka Sound with his ship Lady Washington. The British and American captains were wary of each other. North West America was launched on September 20, 1788. Robert Funter became its captain. The furs were loaded onto Felice, which left Nootka Sound on September 24, 1788.

Meares stopped in Hawaii and left a letter for Douglas with a Hawaiian man named Friday. He wanted to warn Douglas that Kaiana might be in danger if he returned to Kauai. Meares left Hawaii on October 27, 1788, and arrived in Macau on December 5.

North West America was ready a few weeks after Meares left Nootka Sound. Captain Douglas loaded all the tools and supplies onto Iphigenia and North West America. He also had his men take down the "house" Meares had built, even though Meares had promised it to the natives. Douglas gave some planks to John Kendrick, the American captain of Columbia Rediviva.

Douglas traded some cannons to Kendrick for more supplies. Kendrick's smaller boats helped tow Douglas's ships out of Nootka Sound. After the British ships left, the local natives, who had been nervous since the Americans arrived, became friendly with the Americans. American records suggest that Douglas and his men had treated the natives poorly, often taking food by force.

Wintering in Hawaii

On October 27, 1788, Iphigenia and North West America, led by Douglas and Funter, sailed to the Hawaiian Islands for the winter. They wanted to avoid bad storms and get fresh supplies. They arrived off Maui on December 6, then sailed to the island of Hawaii. News of Kaiana's return spread, and many of his friends and family visited the ships. Douglas anchored the ships in Kealakekua Bay.

Kamehameha I visited Iphigenia on December 10. In 1788, Kamehameha was still trying to control the island of Hawaii. He gave Douglas large cloaks made from rare bird feathers. Douglas later gave these cloaks to Captain Robert Gray, who then gave them to Esteban José Martínez.

On December 19, Douglas wanted to move Iphigenia to a safer spot. When they tried to raise the anchor, they found its rope had been cut. Kamehameha and his chiefs, who were on board, quickly left, showing they were responsible. Douglas sent Kaiana to tell Kamehameha that if the anchor was not returned, the Hawaiian village would be destroyed. Kaiana returned with swimmers who helped retrieve the anchor.

Before Douglas sailed the next day, Kamehameha and chiefs came to say goodbye. Kaiana decided to stay in Hawaii with Kamehameha, who promised him a good life. Kaiana feared returning to his home island of Kauai due to political problems. He became an important leader for Kamehameha, but they later had a disagreement. Kaiana eventually fought against Kamehameha in the 1795 Battle of Nuʻuanu and was killed.

Douglas sailed to Maui, where Hawaiians again tried to cut Iphigenia's anchor cable. Then he went to Oahu, where anchors were cut again. They were recovered after Douglas threatened the local chief. Douglas and Funter sailed their ships between islands that winter, visiting Kauai, Oahu, and Hawaii. In Hawaii, they met Kaiana and Kamehameha, who asked for firearms. They said rival chiefs were getting weapons from other fur traders. Douglas gave Kamehameha and Kaiana firearms and mounted a small cannon on one of Kamehameha's canoes.

Douglas returned to Oahu and Kauai near the end of winter. Some of the crew tried to mutiny. Douglas stopped one sailor by firing a pistol over his head. The sailor chose to be left ashore. On March 15, the quartermaster and two sailors escaped in native canoes. They were stopped by Friday, the friendly native of Niihau. Friday helped return the two sailors, but the quartermaster escaped.

In March, Douglas was ready to sail back to the Pacific Northwest coast. He decided to go directly to Nootka Sound, hoping to meet Meares there. On March 17, 1789, Douglas and Funter left the Hawaiian Islands for Nootka Sound.

Trading Voyage in 1789

Douglas arrived at Nootka Sound on April 20, 1789. He found that the Americans Kendrick and Gray had spent the winter on Vancouver Island. Captain Kendrick told Douglas that his ship Columbia Rediviva was anchored nearby. Captain Gray returned to Nootka Sound a few days after Douglas arrived. Douglas learned that Kendrick had built a trading post called Fort Washington. The Americans had already collected many furs and were about to head north. Douglas knew he needed to send North West America north for trading as soon as possible.

On April 21, Douglas recorded the death of Acchon Aching, likely a Chinese crew member. He was buried ashore, the first known Asian burial in the Pacific Northwest.

Captain Funter arrived on April 24. North West America was pulled onto the beach for repairs, while Iphigenia was also being fixed.

Douglas expected Meares to arrive soon with supplies. However, plans had changed in China and London. Meares's business partner went bankrupt, and Meares had joined forces with another British company. Their new ships, Argonaut and Princess Royal, were sailing to the Pacific Northwest under British flags, not Portuguese. Captain James Colnett was in charge of all the ships, including Douglas's Iphigenia and Funter's North West America. Douglas and Funter did not know this yet, so they continued to fly Portuguese flags.

When North West America was ready, Funter left on a trading trip north on April 28, 1789. Two days later, Gray left with Lady Washington. So, only Douglas's Iphigenia and Kendrick's Columbia were in Nootka Sound when the Spanish warship Princesa, commanded by Esteban José Martínez, arrived on May 6. Martínez had been sent by the Spanish leader of New Spain to take control of Nootka Sound.

At first, Martínez, Douglas, and Kendrick were friendly. But when another Spanish ship, San Carlos, arrived on May 12, Martínez's attitude changed. He arrested Douglas and his Portuguese "captain" Viana. Iphigenia was seized, and the Spanish flag was raised. The ship was emptied of supplies, cannons, and trade goods. Martínez claimed the ship was violating Spanish territory. Douglas said the ship's papers, which were in Portuguese, had been misunderstood.

While held captive, Douglas managed to send a message to Chief Maquinna, asking him to warn Meares and Funter if they appeared. Maquinna offered to help Douglas escape, but Douglas decided not to try.

Martínez began building Fort San Miguel at the entrance to Nootka Sound. He officially claimed Nootka Sound for Spain. The Spanish prepared to take Douglas and Iphigenia to Mexico. They spent time repairing Iphigenia. Douglas's crew refused to cooperate with the Spanish. On May 22, Martínez suddenly changed his mind. He said his interpreters had re-read the papers and found them acceptable. Martínez dropped the charges and released Iphigenia and its crew. Douglas had to sign a paper saying he had been treated well.

Douglas convinced Martínez that he only wanted to sail to China. Martínez gave Douglas minimal supplies for a direct trip to Macau via Hawaii. Douglas promised not to stay on the Northwest Coast to collect furs. On June 1, he was allowed to leave. Iphigenia sailed southwest, as if heading for Hawaii. But at midnight, Douglas changed course and headed north. He knew Martínez was not ready to patrol the coast, and he needed more furs to make a profit.

Douglas hoped to find Funter and North West America, but they missed each other. On June 8, Funter entered Nootka Sound and found it occupied by Martínez. Funter and his crew were arrested, and North West America was seized. Martínez wanted to hold the ship as payment for the repairs and supplies given to Iphigenia. North West America was never returned to the British. It became a Spanish ship, renamed Santa Gertrudis la Magna, and later Santa Saturnina. The Spanish used it for explorations, including José María Narváez's discovery of the Strait of Georgia in 1791.

After changing course on June 2, Douglas took Iphigenia north to trade for furs in areas like Hecate Strait and Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands). He traded with the natives for sea otter furs. On the north coast of Graham Island, Douglas stopped at Kiusta, a village of the Haida chief Cuneah. Cuneah, who had met Douglas before, came aboard. Douglas and Cuneah exchanged names as a sign of honor. Despite some tense moments, Douglas and Cuneah parted as friends.

On June 23, Douglas took Iphigenia to "Tartanee," a large Haida village. For several days, the crew traded with the Haida. Douglas noticed a garden there, likely planted by the American Robert Gray, and helped by planting beans. By late June, Iphigenia had run out of trade goods. Most of Douglas's goods had been seized by Martínez at Nootka Sound. Still, when Iphigenia reached the open ocean on June 28, 1789, Douglas had 760 valuable sea otter skins.

Douglas sailed for Hawaii, unaware that other British ships had been detained by Martínez at Nootka Sound. This led to the Nootka Crisis.

Iphigenia arrived at Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii on July 20, where Hawaiians tried to capture the ship. By July 28, Iphigenia was anchored at Waikiki on Oahu. With no trade items left, the crew began cutting up rudder chains to exchange for food. After visiting other islands for water and yams, Douglas set sail for China on August 10. The trip to Macau was smooth, and Iphigenia arrived on October 5, 1789.

In Macau, Douglas met Meares and gave him his first report about the clash with the Spanish in Nootka Sound. This report helped start the international crisis between Britain and Spain. Soon after, the American ship Columbia arrived, bringing more news about the Nootka Crisis.

Captain of the Grace

The Nootka Crisis ended Meares's fur trading businesses. Meares returned to England. Douglas, however, continued to work in the fur trade, but with American partners. In the spring of 1790, in Macau, Douglas left Meares's company and joined an American business. He was given command of Grace, a small ship from New York. John Kendrick, an American fur trader, was having trouble leaving Macau. He asked Douglas for help, and they agreed to work together. Kendrick's first officer, Davis Coolidge, joined Douglas on Grace. Douglas also agreed to pick up some men Kendrick had left in Hawaii to collect sandalwood.

During the summer of 1790, Douglas took Grace to the Pacific Northwest Coast to trade for furs. On the way back to Macau, he stopped in Hawaii and picked up Kendrick's sandalwood cargo and the two men who had collected it. Douglas found that fighting was increasing in Hawaii, making the islands more dangerous. Another fur trader, Simon Metcalfe, had killed many Native Hawaiians. His son, Thomas Humphrey Metcalfe, had been killed along with most of his crew, and his ship had been captured.

When Douglas reached China, he sailed Grace up the Pearl River to Guangzhou (Canton) and sold a valuable cargo of furs. Then he sailed back down the river to meet Kendrick, who was working on Lady Washington near Macau. Kendrick had turned Washington into a heavily armed two-masted ship. This work had used up Kendrick's money. The sandalwood Douglas brought was not very valuable. To help Kendrick, Douglas lent him $2,320.

Kendrick planned to return to the Pacific Northwest Coast by way of Japan. At that time, Japan had a strict policy called sakoku that limited foreign trade. Douglas agreed to join Kendrick in this attempt. Douglas also secretly told the British about the plan. An officer in Macau sent word to London, and the British government started new efforts to open trade with Japan.

Just before Douglas and Kendrick left Macau in the spring of 1791, China stopped all trade in sea otter furs due to a war with Russia. This made trying to open trade with Japan even more important.

As the two ships neared Japan, they were caught in a storm and swept toward the Kii Peninsula. Seeking shelter, they entered a channel and moved into a protected bay near the fishing village of Kushimoto. The village leaders sent messages to the local daimyō (a powerful Japanese lord). After the storm, some villagers approached the ships, even though it was against the law to contact foreigners. Kendrick invited them on board Washington. Some Chinese crewmen could communicate using written notes. They explained they were driven to port by the storm and would leave soon. They also mentioned they had trade goods, especially sea otter furs.

Kendrick and Douglas soon learned that the Japanese were not interested in sea otter fur and thought wearing fur was uncivilized. The rumor of a rich fur market in Japan was false. The villagers advised Kendrick and Douglas not to visit Osaka, saying they would be arrested.

When the daimyō received the messages about the ships, he mobilized his troops. Kendrick and Douglas, perhaps hearing about the troops, left on May 17, about ten days after they arrived. The troops arrived two days later. After this event, Japan set up new systems for coastal villages to warn about foreign ships.

A few days after leaving the Kii Peninsula, Douglas and Kendrick found a group of islands they named the Water Islands. They decided to separate there. Both ships then headed for the Pacific Northwest Coast.

Douglas sailed Grace to Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands) and collected a good number of sea otter skins. At the end of the 1791 trading season, Douglas returned to China but died during the voyage. R.D. Coolidge replaced him as captain of Grace.

Legacy

Iphigenia Bay in Alaska is named after Douglas's ship, as is Iphigenia Point in British Columbia. In Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands), Coneehaw Rock is named for a Haida chief with whom Douglas traded. Douglas Rock is located nearby.

Dixon Entrance, between British Columbia and Alaska, was originally named Douglass Entrance by Meares.