Alexander Mackenzie (explorer)

Sir Alexander MacKenzie (* 1764 in Stornoway, † March 12, 1820 in Mulinearn at Dunkeld ) undertook or Gaelic Alasdair MacCoinnich was a Scottish- Canadian explorer who expeditions in the north- western Canada. According to him, the river is named Mackenzie. 1774 emigrated to the family MacKenzie from Scotland to New York. From there it five years later moved to Montreal.

Exploring the Mackenzie River

Mackenzie broke in 1789 from Fort Chipewyan on his first expedition to the northwestern Canada on. The aim of the company was finding a connection to the Pacific or the Northwest Passage.

After the departure of Fort Chipewyan led the search for the Great Slave Lake and on June 29 the discovery of the river Mackenzie. Together with his companions followed the MacKenzie river with canoes up to its delta, where he finally reached the Arctic Ocean on July 10, 1789. Supposedly MacKenzie was so saddened by this failure that he baptized the river "Disappointment River".

Discovery of the Fraser River

In October 1792, he broke again from Fort Chipewyan, on his second expedition. He was accompanied on his second voyage of discovery by his cousin Alexander Mackay, six French adventurers, two native Indians, and his dog.

After spending the winter in Fort Fork, succeeded him in the spring a crew to hire for his company, then on May 9, 1793, the march took place. On June 18, he discovered the Fraser River and on July 20 the expedition finally reached the Pacific coast at Bella Coola. He was the first person through North America north of Mexico. Due to the hostile behavior of the Heiltsuk forced to turn back, he scratched, arrived at the westernmost point of the expedition, at Dean Channel " Alex MacKenzie / from Canada / by land / 22d July 1793 " in a stone.

Later life

In 1801 he published his expedition books and was lifted the following year to knighthood. Later MacKenzie Director of the North West Company, where he had great influence on the expansion of Canada. He urged the union ahead with the Hudson's Bay Company, which was completed in 1821.