SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN

Born in 1567, Champlain was a French navigator who was born in Saintonage off the bay of Biscay.  Raised by a father who was a sea captain, he was born to sail the seas.  While young, Champlain joined the army, becoming a quartermaster.  His uncle, who was a pilot general of the Spanish fleets, was accompanied by Champlain who took over command of the St. Julien.

Then in 1599, Champlain sailed while in command of St. Julien, heading for the West Indies.  During the two and one half years, he explored a number of islands, finally landing at Vera Cruz.  Soon, he headed further inland to the city of Mexico.  On his way back, he came through Panama where he came up with a plan for a ship canal that would cross the isthmus.  Finally, Champlain reached Spain in 1601.  The record of this particular voyage was written by Champlain himself and then published.

While returning to France, a pension was given to him by Henry IV.  Being urged by the governor of Dieppe, De Chaste, he was granted permission to explore territory in North America with the expectation of founding a colony.  In 1603, he set sail in the ship Pontgrave, anchoring two months later at Tadoussac.  With a few men, they proceeded up the river in a boat, stopping near the rapids of St. Louis just above Montreal, Canada, which was as far as another explorer named Cartier had gone.

As Champlain returned to Tadoussac, he looked at both sides of the river, which resulted in him exploring St. Lawrence all the way to Gasp.  Then in the summer of that same year, he sailed to France, publishing his first volume, which was a full account of his venture and discoveries.  During this time, De Chaste had died, resulting in his privileges going to Du Guay who made an agreement with Champlain to found a settlement in Acadia.  Together, they set sail, arriving at Sable Island in the summer of 1604.

The vessel coasted along Nova Scotia when they decided to settle on the island of St. Croix.  However, they had a hard time finding a suitable location so they stayed the winter then returned to Port Royal near today’s Annapolis.  In 1607, Champlain made his way back to France, telling Du Guay about the value of establishing a trading post on the St. Lawrence.  Therefore, the following year, they reached Tadoussac, going up the St. Lawrence.  Finding a good site for a settlement, they began clearing ground.  However, Champlain uncovered a plot to have him killed.

Even so, buildings were erected in Quebec, grain was sowed, and Champlain worked hard to help establish a fur trade.  Quickly, the settlement grew and having become friends with the Montagnais Indians, he joined them in an expedition against the Iroquois Indians.  On their way, the Hurons and Algonquins joined them as they made their way up the river to the Chambly rapids.  Champlain continued ahead in a canoe, entering a lake, which would become known as Champlain Lake.

Once there, Champlain and the Indians were met with a huge party of Iroquios on the lake, throwing up barricades of trees.  The next day, a battle ensured in which the Iroquois were defeated.  Champlain made several more trips back to France and in 1613, sailed alone with the goal of exploring Ottawa.  Upon arrival, he discovered statements made by the Vignaud’s about reaching the North Sea there were false. 

Then in 1615, he attacked a town held by the Iroquios league and while there, he received two severe wounds.  Taken back to town of the Hurons, he recovered.  With many exceptional discoveries to his name, Champlain ended up in France in 1632, becoming the governor in 1633.  However, on Christmas Day in 1635, he died from a stroke but his name will never be forgotten.