Jacques Cartier

Jacques Cartier (December 31, 1491 – September 1 1557), baptized Jakez Karter, was a French explorer who is popularly thought of as one of the major discoverers of Canada, or more specifically, the interior eastern region that would become the first European-inhabited area of that country.

Third Voyage 1541-1542

On May 23, 1541 Cartier departed Saint-Malo on his third voyage with five ships. This time, any thoughts of finding a passage to the Orient was forgotten and the goal was to find the Kingdom of Saguenay and its riches and also to establish a permanent settlement along the Saint Lawrence River.

Related Topics:
May 23 - 1541 - Saint-Malo - Saint Lawrence River

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Anchoring at Stadacona on August 23 1541, Cartier met the Hurons but found their "show of joy" and their numbers worrisome and decided not to build his settlement there. Sailing nine miles upriver to a spot he had previously observed, he decided to settle on the site of present day Cap-Rouge. The convicts and other colonists were landed, the cattle which had survived three months aboard ship were turned loose, earth broken for a kitchen garden and seeds of cabbage, turnip and lettuce were planted. A fortified settlement was thus created which was named Charlesbourg-Royal. Another fort was also built on the falaise overlooking the settlement for added protection.

Related Topics:
August 23 - 1541 - Cap-Rouge

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The men also began collecting quartz crystal ("diamonds") and iron pyrites ("gold"). Two of the ships were dispatched home with some minerals on September 2.

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Having set tasks for everyone, Cartier left with the longboats for a reconnaissance of the Saguenay on September 7. Having reached Hochelaga, bad weather and the numerous rapids prevented him to continue up to the Ottawa river.

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Returning to Charlesbourg-Royal, Cartier finds the situation ominous. The Hurons no longer made friendly visits or peddled fish and game, but prowled about in a sinister manner. No records exists about the winter of 1541-1542 and the information must be gleaned for the few details provided from returning sailors. It seems that the Indians attacked and killed about 35 settlers before the Frenchmen could retreat behind the fortifications. Even though scurvy was cured through the native remedy, the impression left is of a general misery and of Cartier's growing conviction that he had insufficient manpower both to protect his base and go in search of Saguenay. Everyone boarded the three remaining ships in early June 1542 and arrived back in Europe in October 1542.

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Cartier spent the rest of his life in Saint-Malo and his nearby estate, and died aged 66 on September 1, 1557 from an epidemic. He died before any permanent European settlements were made in Canada; that had to wait for Samuel de Champlain in 1608.

Related Topics:
1557 - Samuel de Champlain - 1608

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