Launch of NORTHWEST AMERICA.
1788

Watercolor 14" x 21"


After the near fatal winter of 1876/77, Meares lingered in Alaska looking for pelts before sailing to Hawaii and on to China, where they arrived on October 20, 1787. The Hawaiians had treated them with typical Polynesian hospitality, and although it was only nine years since James Cook had called at the islands, Europeans were still a source of intense curiosity. Many would have liked to join the ship on the voyage to “Britannee”. The privilege was granted to Kaiana, a six foot five inch chief of Kauai, who endeared himself to the crew, and who was an instant celebrity when he arrived in Macao.

In spite of the disastrous results of the first voyage, Meares was able to raise the funds for another trading venture to the Northwest Coast in 1788. Meares had high ambitions, which included the control of the fur trade between the coast and Canton. Part of his plan was to establish permanent factories on land acquired from the natives where furs could be collected year round. To this end he embarked with fifty Chinese men to construct and man the posts, as well as frames for a small house and the moulds for a small schooner.

Meares was welcomed by the natives of Friendly Cove with a potlatch, and the returning Comekela, brother of Chief Maquinna, was in his element dressed up in European military finery. Meares had already staked out an area of beach with a small stream and had set up tents for his men.The schooner was ready for launching on September 20th. In Meares’ words, “as soon as the tide was at its proper height, the English ensign was displayed on shore at the house, and on board the new vessel, which at the proper moment was named NORTH WEST AMERICA, as being the first bottom ever built and launched in this part of the globe.” The natives had gathered to witness the spectacle along with the crews of the anchored British and American ships. At noon, on the firing of a gun, “the vessel started from the ways like a shot. - Indeed she went off with so much velocity, that she nearly made her way out of the harbour; for the fact was, that not being very accustomed to this business, we had forgotten to place an anchor and cable on board to bring her up.” On board as she slid into the water was the Hawaiian Kaiana, dressed in a brilliant feathered cloak, who expressed his excitement by exclaiming “Mighty! Mighty!”

The NORTH WEST AMERICA was one of the vessels seized by the Spanish at Nootka in 1789, an event that brought England and Spain to the brink of war.