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Samuel Hearne (1745-1792)

He was born in London and became a Midshipman RN in 1756, serving in the Seven Years War. In 1766 he joined the Hudson's Bay Company as a Seaman. He was stationed at Fort Prince of Wales and was sent overland to find the source of the Coppermine River. He tried twice unsuccessfully at this task in 1769 and 1770. He studied the Barren Lands when he searched for copper deposits. He reached the river during his expedition of 1771-72 becoming the first man to reach the Arctic Ocean Overland. He founded the fur trade post at Cumberland House on Pine Island, the first inland post established in 1774. In 1775 he was appointed as Governor of Fort Prince of Wales and was taken prisoner in 1782 when the fort was captured and destroyed by the French force under the Comte de la Perouse. In 1783, he returned to the fort and rebuilt it on a new site . He stayed in charge until 1787 when he retired and returned to London.

Named Features:

  • Cape Hearne (NT);
  • Hearne Lake (NT);
  • Hearne Bay (NT);
  • Hearne Point (NT)