NORTH-EAST Passage, a passage to the East Indies along the northern coasts of Asia, which, like the former, hath frequently been attempted, but hitherto without success. The first attempt was made in 1553, by Sir Hugh Willoughby, who commanded three ships. He departed from the Thames, and sailed to the North Cape, where one of his ships left him, and returned home. The other two ships being separated, Sir Hugh proceeded farther northward, and discovered that part of Greenland which the Dutch have since called Spitzberg: but the severity of the cold obliging him to return to the southward, he was forced, by bad weather, into the river Arzina, in Muscovite Lapland, where, not being able to come out, he was found the next spring frozen to death, with all his ship's company; having the notes of his voyage and his last will lying before him, whereby it appeared that he lived till January. But Richard Chancellor, in the third ship, with better success, in the meanwhile entered Wardhuys, where he waited some time for his companions to no purpose; uncertain whether they were lost, or driven farther by stress of weather. He held a council on what he should do; whether to return, or pursue his voyage. Whatever danger might be in the last, every one agreed to it, that they might not seem to have less courage than their captain. They therefore set sail, and in a few days found themselves in a sea where they could no longer perceive any night. This ship, wandering about, entered soon after into a large bay or gulf. Here they cast anchor, in sight of land; and while they were examining the coast, they discovered a fishing boat. Chancellor getting into his sloop, went towards it; but the fishermen took to flight. He followed, and, overtaking them, showed them such civilities as conciliated their affections to him; and they carried him to the place where now is the famous port of St Michael the Archangel. These people immediately spread through all the coasts an account of the arrival of those strangers; and people came from several parts to see them, and ask them questions. They, in their turn, examined the others, and found
North-east Passage, Northallerton found that the country they were in was Russia, governed by the mighty emperor John Basilowitz. Chancellor from Archangel travelled on sledges to the Czar at Moscow; from whom, overjoyed at the prospect of opening a maritime commerce with Europe, he obtained privileges for the English merchants, and letters to King Edward VI. who was not, however, alive to receive them.
In 1585, Mr John Davis in two barks discovered Cape Desolation, which is supposed to be part of Greenland; and two years after advanced as far as Lat. 72°, where he discovered the strait which still bears his name. To enumerate all the attempts which have been made to discover a north-east passage, would swell the article to very little purpose. The English, Dutch, and Danes, have all attempted it without success. The last voyage from England for this purpose was made in 1676, under the patronage of the duke of York. That unfortunate prince, who was on all occasions earnest for the promotion of commerce, and the Lord Berkeley, &c. fitted out a ship, commanded by Captain Wood, for an attempt once more to find a north-east passage to India, accompanied with a ship of the king's. They were encouraged to this attempt, after it had been so long despaired of, by several new reports and reasonings: some of which seem not to have been very well grounded—As,
"1. On the coast of Corea, near Japan, whales had been found with English and Dutch harpoons sticking in them. This is no infallible proof that ships could get thither by a north-east passage, although whales might.
"2. That, 20 years before, some Dutchmen had sailed within one degree of the north pole, and found it temperate weather there: and that therefore William Barents, the Dutch navigator who wintered at Nova Zembla in the year 1596, should have sailed further to the north before turning eastward; in which case, said they, he would not have found so much obstruction from the ice.
"3. That two Dutch ships had lately sailed 300 leagues to the eastward of Nova Zembla; but their East India Company had stifled that design, as against their interest:—and such like other airy reports. But this attempt proved very unfortunate. They doubled the North Cape, and came among much ice and drift wood, in 76° of north latitude, steering to the coast of Nova Zembla, where the king's ship struck upon the rocks, and was soon beat to pieces; and Captain Wood returned home with an opinion, "that such a passage was utterly impracticable, and that Nova Zembla is a part of the continent of Greenland."
These passages, however, are not yet deemed impracticable by all. The count de Buffon holds it for certain, that there is such a passage; and he thinks, that if any farther attempts be made to discover a passage to China by the north, it will be necessary to steer directly towards the pole; and to explore the most open seas, where unquestionably, says he, there is little or no ice. This opinion has been revived by the honourable Daines Barrington. See NORTH POLE.