WILLIAM BAFFIN 

William Baffin was born in 1584, becoming a famous British arctic explorer.  History tells us that Baffin was born in London but died in 1622 while in Kishm, Persia.  Most people referred to Baffin as “the pilot of Patience”, which was actually a vessel he took a voyage on with James Hall on the way to Greenland. 

Then in 1613, Baffin joined the Muscovy Company, becoming a top pilot of seven vessels.  As a part of his job, he often visited the Spitzbergen coast for incredible fishing.  By 1615, Baffin had piloted another vessel called the Discovery under the command of Robert Bylot, searching for the Northwest Passage.  Today, his original manuscript about this voyage is preserved in the British museum. 

On the first trip, he searched in vain for a channel in Hudson Bay, located just to the north of Southampton Island.  Then during his second expedition, Baffin headed in a northwesterly direction directly through Davis Strait, which led him to what would later be called Baffin Bay, as well as Baffin Island on the northeast shore.  This particular part of the voyage was also published by Purchas, providing exact and fascinating information deemed valuable. 

Unfortunately, Baffin’s great discover of “Baffin Bay” was discredited until 1818 at which time Sir John Ross confirmed his observations and discovery.  Then in 1617, Baffin joined the East India Company, sailing under a Captain Shilling on two voyages, one in 1617, and the other in 1620.  The final voyage that Baffin would make was in 1621, with a distinct purpose of pushing the Portuguese out of Ormuz. 

Sadly, while under siege and engaging in measurements, Baffin was shot and killed.  In addition to being a master pilot of large vessels, Baffin is known for something more important.  He was the first man to determine longitude by observing the time of the moon’s culmination.  This discovery would make a huge difference in how future pilots handled voyages!