One hundred and fifty years after Juan de Fuca's initial discoveries, exploration once again took place along the Pacific coast. Russian explorers (Bering and Chirikov) initiated activity in 1741, followed by Spanish explorers working north from California. The British explorer, Captain James Cook, claimed the northern Pacific coast for Britain in 1778 while going north to 70√ N latitude. As well he spent nearly a month at Nootka Sound on what was to become Vancouver Island. John Webber, one of Cook's crewmen, made this drawing showing the ships Resolution and Discovery in the Sound. Many nations indicated a trading interest in the area when it was discovered that there was an unequalled fur resource in the sea otter, an ocean dwelling mammal whose pelt was greatly prized, particularly in China. Competition in the maritime fur trade amongst traders of different nations provoked an international confrontation in 1792 between Spanish and British forces. A negotiated settlement led Spain to drop its territorial claims in the area. Subsequently Captain George Vancouver explored and mapped the area between 1792 and 1794.
Courtesy: Provincial Archives of British Columbia (7928)
