Jacques Cartier

Jacques Cartier has become very famous over the years, for his work and his three voyages. Although he is long gone, he is still remembered for his courage and determination towards his journeys for his country.

Jacques Cartier was born on December 31st, 1491 in St.Malo, France. In 1519, at the age of 28 years, he married a young woman named Catherine Des Granches. They did not have any children. Jacques Cartier died on September 1st, 1557 in St.Malo, France, where he was born. He died peacefully of old age at 66 years. He had a well-lived life.

He set on sail on his first voyage on March 1534. He was sent by King Francis I to explore the Labrador Coast and to search for gold and the Northwest Passage. On his second voyage he explored the Indian villages Hochelega and Stadacona. (Montreal and Quebec). He also climbed "le monte royal" a mountain formed by three hills. He had 3 ships on his second voyage in May, 1535. The big ship was the "Grande Hermine" and the two smaller vessels were the " Petite Hermine" and the "Emerillon". His second voyage was to Canada, to find a great river, and a kingdom named Saguenay, rich with copper and gold. He also founded "St.Catherines Bay". His third and final voyage was in May, 1541. He explored Newfoundland, and while he was in Newfound he founded the St.Lawrence River. He was sent on his third voyage to establish a permanent settlement in Canada. He had five ships on this voyage, the "Grande Hermine, Petite Hermine, Emerillon, George Saint-Brieux, and an unknown ship. Cartier was the first European explorer to explore the St.Lawrence River. His journals also included maps and drawings that expanded Europeans knowledge of today's Atlantic Canada and the St.Lawrence River. He cleared land and made settlements that other settlers could use in the present and future. Jacques gathered information on places he visited, people he met along the way, and customs of the First Nations People to be used by other generations. The last known contribution is he found out how difficult it is to survive a winter in Canada. That was very important to people travelling to Canada. Jacques Cartier was the first European fur trader to trade for North American furs. He founded St.Catherines Bay while exploring other lands. He named St.Catherines Bay after his wife. Jacques also founded the St.Lawrence River, first thinking he found a passage to China.

Although Jacques Cartier failed all of his voyages , he did not get discouraged and lived a happy life with his wife until he died.

Jacques Cartier's first voyage was on March 1534. His voyage was in the Labrador Coast. He was sent to look for gold and the Northwest Passage. He sailed on his ships called the "Grande Hermine" and the "Petite Hermine". His voyage was financed by King Francis of France. Unfortunately his voyage was a complete failure.

On his second voyage, Jacques Cartier explored Indian villages called Stadacona and Hochelega. (Quebec and Montreal.) He also climbed "le mont royal" a mountain formed by three hills. He had thee ships on his second voyage in May, 1535. The big ship was called the "Grande Hermine", and the two smaller vessels were the "Petite Hermine" and the "Emerillon". His second voyage was to Canada, to find a great river and kingdom named Saguenay, rich with copper and gold. He also founded " St.Catherines Bay".

His third and final voyage was in May, 1541: He explored Newfoundland and continued up the St.Lawrence River. While exploring Newfoundland he founded the St.Lawrence River. He was sent on his third voyage to establish a permanent settlement in Canada. He had five ships on this voyage, the "Grande Hermine, Petite Hermine, Emerillon, George Saint-Brieux, and an unknown ship.

Contributions

Cartier was the first European explorer to explore the St.Lawrence River. His journals also included maps and drawings that expanded Europeans knowledge of today's Atlantic Canada and the St.Lawrence River. He cleared land and made settlements that other settlers could use in the present and future. Jacques gathered information on places he visited, people he met along the way, and customs of the First Nations People to be used by other generations. The last known contribution is he found out how difficult it is to survive a winter in Canada. That was very important to people travelling to Canada. Jacques Cartier was the first European fur trader to trade for North American furs. He founded St.Catherines Bay while exploring other lands. He named St.Catherines Bay after his wife. Jacques also founded the St.Lawrence River, first thinking he found a passage to China.

Dear journal, May, 1541

Today, while I was exploring I came across a flowing river. I guessed that it may have been a passage to China, but I then realised I had discovered something else. I had discovered... The St.Lawrence River! Oh how ecstatic and thrilled I was. I could not believe that I was the man who founded the St.Lawrence River! When I returned home and told my lovely wife Catherine she was so proud of me and my crew. Over the next few days I could not stop thinking about what I had just done. Everyday I woke up and when I looked in the mirror, an extravagant explorer gazed back at me. When I told King Francis I, he awarded me with a brilliant feast. It was amazing. The whole town showed up. Never before had someone from St.Malo done something so brilliant. People worshipped me like a god. It was amazing. Everywhere I went people would cheer. After a few weeks the attention died down and finally everything was back to normal. Though people still worshipped me.