Alaska place-names

Introduction

George Vancouver visited Alaska in 1793 and 1794. During this time he and his men were the first to chart the coastline in detail, meticulously surveying all the inlets along complicated mainland and offshore islands. In doing so, Vancouver bestowed names on many features and these are listed below, together with explanations as to why the names were chosen. Vancouver sometimes gave a reason himself and other names are very obvious.

However, the reasons for some names were lost or never explained. This page aims to explain some of the "lost" names. For example, Peter Puget, by 1794 in command of the Chatham named many of the features in Prince William Sound after members of his family. In one part of southeastern Alaska, Vancouver named many features after persons who had served with the British army in Ireland while, in another, all the names had a connection with Vancouver's home county of Norfol.

 

Links to similar pages

California, Washington and Oregon place-names. British Columbia place-names.

 

Explanation of tables

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Column 1 gives the names provided by George Vancouver. They are in blue if the name is still in usage. They are in black and enclosed by brackets if the name is no longer in use. Column 2 lists features in the vicinity that have subsequently acquired a similar or variant name based on the name in column 1. Column 3 refers to the Hakluyt edition of Vancouver's journals, edited by W. Kaye Lamb and records the volume and page number if mention is made in the journals. Column 4 indicates there is evidence Vancouver himself gave the name. Column 5 provides background and reasons (if known) why the name was used.
 

The Place-names

  Cook Inlet

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Cook Inlet     V. Vancouver renamed the inlet; it had previously been known as Cook's River.
Port Chatham   Vol. 4, p. 1250 V. Named after HMS Chatham, which had put into the inlet under Lieutenant Puget.
Harriett Point   (on map only)   Unknown.
East Foreland        
West Foreland        
Point MacKenzie,   Vol. 4, p. 1236 V. James Stuart MacKenzie (1719-1800) was a politician and astronomer.
Point Campbell   Vol. 4, p. 1236   MacKenzie had married Elizabeth Campbell, daughter of the 2nd Duke of Argyll.
Point Woronzow   Vol. 4, p. 1236 V. Simon Romanovitch Woronzow, 3rd Count Woronzow (1744-1832) was Russian diplomat in Britain from 1784 to 1796. He then became Russian Ambassador to Britain from 1796 to 1806. He remained in Britain and died in London in 1832.

Between Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound there are two bays to the west of Cape Puget that have been named Whidbey Bay and Johnstone Bay at a much later date after the members of Vancouver's expedition who led most of the survey parties, Joseph Whidbey and James Johnstone. In fact, they led the two surveys carried out in Prince William Sound in 1794. Johnstone had visited before as part of Colnett's expedition.

  Prince William Sound

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Cape Puget Puget Bay; Puget Peak; Puget Glacier Vol. 4, p. 1288   Peter Puget was a lieutenant in Vancouver's expedition.
Point Elrington Elrington Islnad; Elrington Passage Vol. 4, p. 1288   Elrington was the maiden name of Peter Puget's wife, Hannah, whom he married in 1797.
Point Pyke   Vol. 4, p. 1288   Unknown - there is a remote possibility it was named after Samuel Pike, an Irish banker from Cork.
Point Waters   Vol. 4, p. 1289   Ann Waters was the wife of Thomas Bainbridge.
Port Bainbridge Bainbridge Island; Bainbridge Glacier; Bainbridge Passage; Bainbridge Point Vol. 4, p. 1288   Thomas Bainbridge was the partner of Peter Puget's brother, John Puget, in the company Puget and Bainbridge (they were merchant bankers).
Point Grace   (on chart only)   Puget's sister, Grace Jane, married William Digges Latouche in 1787.
Latouche Island Latouche Passage (on chart only)   William Digges Latouche, a member of an Irish banking family of Huguenot origin, married Grace Jane Puget, Peter' sister.
Point Countess   Vol. 4, p. 1289 V. George Countess (?-1811) was a naval officer (captain 1790; rear admiral 1809).
Point Bazil   Vol. 4, p. 1270   Unknown
Point Nowell   Vol. 4, p. 1291   William Nowell (?-1827) was a naval officer (captain 1794; rear admiral 1813).
Point Eleanor Eleanor Island (on chart only)   Puget's sister, Eleanor, married Henry Knight.
Knight Island Knight Island Passage (on chart only)   A Henry Knight married Eleanor Puget, Peter's sister.
Point Culross   Vol. 4, p. 1291   Unknown. (Culross Bay; Culross Island; Culross Passage.
Point Cochrane   Vol. 4, p. 1291   Sir Alexander Cochrane (1758-1832) was a naval officer (captain 1782; admiral 1819) and politician.
Passage Canal   Vol. 4, p. 1293 V. Whidbey and Vancouver surmised (correctly) that this inlet provided access to Turnagain Arm at the head of Cook Inlet and named it accordingly.
Point Pigot Pigot Bay; Pigot Glacier Vol. 4, p. 1293 V. Robert Pigot was a midshipman on board the Discovery
Point Pakenham   Vol. 4, p. 1294   Sir Thomas Pakenham (1757-1836) was a naval officer (captain 1780; admiral 1810) and politician.
Esther Passage Esther Island; Esther Rock; Point Esther; Esther Lake (on chart only)   Puget's sister, Esther, married John Wells.
Port Wells   (on chart only)   John Wells married Esther Puget, Peter's sister.
Point Pellew   Vol. 4, p. 1295   Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth (1757-1833) was a naval officer (captain 1782; admiral 1814).
Point Freemantle Mount Freemantle Vol. 4, p. 1296   Sir Thomas Fremantle (1765-1819) was a naval officer (captain 1793; vice admiral 1819). He was a lieutenant on the Jamaica station during the 1780s and would probably have known members of Vancouver's expedition. (Mount Freemantle).
Bligh Island Bligh Reef Vol. 4, p. 1276   William Bligh (to finish)
Hawkin's Island   Vol. 4, pp. 1282-1283 V. Sir James Hawkins Whitshed (1762-1849) was a naval officer (captain 1780; admiral 1810). He married Sophie, the daughter of Captain John Bentinck in 1791. Whitshed's father was James Hawkins, Bishop of Raphoe in northern Ireland. Captain James King's father was Dean of Raphoe at the same time.
Point Bentinck   Vol. 4, pp. 1282-1283   Sophie Bentinck, the daughter of Captain John Bentinck, married Sir James Hawkins Whitshed in 1791
Point Whitshed   Vol. 4, pp. 1282-1283 V. Sir James Hawkins Whitshed (1762-1849) was a naval officer (captain 1780; admiral 1810). He married Sophie, the daughter of Captain John Bentinck in 1791.

  There is a Johnstone Point on the north coast of Hinchinbrook Island.

  Alaska coast

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Point Martin Martin Islands; Martin River Vol. 4, p. 1324 V. Sir Henry Martin (?-1794) was Controller of the Navy from 1790 to 1794.
Point Hey   (on chart only)   Peter Puget's mother, Esther, remarried. Her second husband was the Reverend Thomas Hey of Wingham in east Kent.
Wingham Island   Vol. 4, p. 1324   Peter Puget's mother, Esther, remarried. Her second husband was the Reverend Thomas Hey of Wingham in east Kent.
Point Lemesurier   on chart only   William Le Mesurier was a midshipman on the Chatham.
Cape Hamond    Vol. 4, p. 1310 V. Sir Andrew Snape Hamond (1738-1828) was a naval officer and administrator. He was Controller of the Navy from 1794 to 1806. The name is no longer used; the point is Cape St. Elias.
Point Riou Riou Bay; Point Riou Spit Vol. 4, p. 1312   Edward Riou (1762-1801) was a naval officer (captain 1791). He had sailed on Cook's third voyage with Vancouver.

  Yakutat Bay

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Point Manby Manby Stream Vol. 4, p. 1312   Thomas Manby was a member of Vancouver's expedition. At this time he was master of the Chatham.
Knight Island   Vol. 4, p. 1331 P. Puget's sister, Eleanor, married Henry Knight.
Eleanor Cove   Vol. 4, p. 1331 P. Puget's sister, Eleanor, married Henry Knight.
Point Latouche   Vol. 4, p. 1329 P. Puget's sister, Grace Jane, married William Digges Latouche.
Digges Sound   Vol. 4, p. 1329 P. Digges was a family name of the Latouches, an Irish banking family of Huguenot descent. The name is no longer used and the inlet is known as Disenchantment Bay.
Johnstone Passage       James Johnstone had been promoted to be lieutenant on the Chatham. The name appeared later.
Puget Cove       Peter Puget had been promoted to command the Chatham. The name appeared later.

  The is a Mount Vancouver north of Yakutat Bay.

The Alaska Coast south of Cross Sound

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
King George the Third's Island   Vol. 4, p. 1356   Named for King George III, the name is no longer used. It comprises, in fact, Chichagof and Baranof Islands plus numerous other small islands.
Edward Island   Vol. 4, p. 1364   Edward, Prince, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820) was the 5th child and 4th son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. Vancouver actually named the west point of the island Cape Edward.
Point Amelia   Vol. 4, p. 1365   Princess Amelia (1783-1810) was the last of 15 children and the 6th daughter of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
Point Mary   Vol. 4, p. 1365   Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester (1776-1857) was the 11th child and 4th daughter of King George III and Queen Charlotte.

  Cross Sound and Icy Strait

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Cape Spencer   Vol. 4, p. 1317, 1343-1344 V. George John Spencer, second Earl Spencer (1758-1834) was a politician. He was born at Wimbledon. When his father had been elevated to an earldom in 1765, Spencer took the courtesy title Viscount Althorp. He married Lady Lavinia Bingham in 1782. He was First Lord of the Admiralty from 1794 to 1800.
Port Althorp Mount Althorp; Althorp Peninsula Vol. 4, p. 1317, 1343-1344   George John Spencer, second Earl Spencer took the courtesy title Viscount Althorp.
Point Wimbledon   Vol. 4, p. 1317, 1343-1344   George John Spencer, second Earl Spencer was born at Wimbledon.
Cape Bingham Bingham Cove; Bingham Peak Vol. 4, p. 1345, 1361-1362   Lady Lavinia Bingham (1762-1831), the eldest daughter of Charles Bingham, first Earl of Lucan, married George John Spencer, second Earl Spencer in 1862.
Point Lavinia   Vol. 4, p. 1345, 1361-1362   Lady Lavinia Bingham married George John Spencer, second Earl Spencer in 1862.
Point Lucan   Vol. 4, p. 1345, 1361-1362   Lady Lavinia Bingham (1762-1831) was the eldest daughter of Charles Bingham, first Earl of Lucan.
Point Dundas Dundas Bay; Dundas River Vol. 4, p. 1346   It is uncertain which Dundas was being honoured but, on this occasion, it was probably Sir David Dundas, who was living in Petersham when Vancouver was writing up the narrative and was a witness to George Vancouver's will. Dundas (1735-1820) was an army officer, who would later become Commander-in-Chief of the army. In the 1790s, he was Quartermaster-General on the London staff, having been Adjutant-General in Ireland.
Point Augusta   Vol. 4, p. 1360   Princess Augusta Sophia (1768-1840) was the 6th child and 2nd daughter of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
Point Adolphus   Vol. 4, p. 1360   Adolphus Frederick, Prince, first Duke of Cambridge (1774-1850), 10th child and 7th son of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
Port Frederick   Vol. 4, p. 1360   Frederick, Prince, Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827) was the 2nd child and 2nd son of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
Point Sophia   Vol. 4, p. 1360   Princess Sophia (1777-1848) was the 12th child and 5th daughter of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
Lemesurier Island       This island was named at a later time after William Le Mesurier, one of the midshipmen.
Point Couverden Couverden Island. Vol. 4, p. 1347 V. Vancouver's family originally came from Couverden in the Netherlands. The family name is a corruption of van Couverden. Vancouver was honouring the "seat of my ancestors".

  Lynn Canal

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Point Couverden Couverden Island. Vol. 4, p. 1347 V. Vancouver's family originally came from Couverden in the Netherlands. The family name is a corruption of van Couverden. Vancouver was honouring the "seat of my ancestors".
Lynn Canal (Channel)   Vol. 4, p. 1350 V. Vancouver was born in King's Lynn, Norfolk in 1757.
Point Seduction   Vol. 4, p. 1350 V. Named for the "artful character of the Indians" in trying to persuade Joseph Whidbey to stay longer.
Point Whidbey   on chart only   Joseph Whidbey led the survey expedition up Lynn Canal past this headland.
Berner's Bay   Vol. 4, p. 1354   Vancouver's mother was born Bridget Berners in 1715 in the village of Wiggenhall St. Mary's, a few kilometres south of King's Lynn.
Point Bridget Bridget Cove Vol. 4, p. 1354   Bridget Berners was Vancouver's mother.
Point St. Mary's   Vol. 4, p. 1354   Vancouver's mother was born in the village of Wiggenhall St. Mary's, a few kilometres south of King's Liynn.
Point Retreat   Vol. 4, p. 1355 V. This was the point where Joseph Whidbey turned back on his 1794 survey to return to the ships.
Point Marsden   Vol. 4, p. 1356   William Marsden was second Secretary to the Admiralty from 1795 to 1804 and then Secretary to the Admiralty from 1804 to 1807.

  Stephens Passage - West side (all connected with the British Admiralty).

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Stephens Passage   Vol. 4, p. 1376   Sir Philip Stephens (1723-1809) was Secretary to the Admiralty for 32 years from 1763 to 1795. He was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1795 to 1806.
Admiralty Island   Vol. 4, p. 1374   Named after the British Admiralty.
Barlow Cove Barlow Point; Barlow Islands Vol. 4, p. 1375   Sir Robert Barlow (1757-1843) was a naval officer (captain 1793; admiral 1840).
Point Young Young Bay Vol. 4, p. 1374   Sir William Young (1751-1821) was a naval officer (captain xxxx; admiral 1805). He was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1795 to 1801.
Point Arden False Arden Vol. 4, p. 1374   Charles George Perceval, second Baron Arden (1756-1840) was a politician. He was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from xxxx to zzzz.
Seymour Canal   Vol. 4, p. 1372   Lord Hugh Seymour (1759-1801) was a naval officer(captain xxxx; vice admiral 1799) . He was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1795 to 1798.
Point Hugh   Vol. 4, p. 1372   Lord Hugh Seymour (1759-1801) was a naval officer(captain xxxx; vice admiral 1799) . He was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1795 to 1798.
Point Gambier Gambier Island; Gambier Bay Vol. 4, p. 1372   James Gambier, Baron Gambier (1756-1833) was a naval officer (captain 1778; admiral 1805). He was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1795 to 1801, again from 1804 to 1806 and finally from 1807 to 1808.
Point Pybus Pybus Bay; Pybus Lake; Little Pybus Bay Vol. 4, p. 1372   Charles Small Pybus was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1791 to 1795.

  Stephens Passage - East side (most connected with the English county of Norfolk). Vancouver named that part of the mainland north of Frederick Sound and east of Stephens Passage New Norfolk after the county where he was born. The name was never used after Vancouver.

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Stephens Passage   Vol. 4, p. 1376   Sir Philip Stephens (1723-1809) was Secretary to the Admiralty for 32 years from 1763 to 1795. He was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1795 to 1806.
Douglas Island   Vol. 4, p. 1376 V. John Douglas (1721-1807) was Bishop of Salisbury from 1791. He helped edit the journals of Cook's second and third voyages, which probably introduced him to Vancouver.
Point Salisbury   Vol. 4, p. 1376 V. John Douglas (1721-1807) was Bishop of Salisbury from 1791.
Point Styleman   Vol. 4, p. 1377   Nicholas Styleman was a local land owner in northwest Norfolk. He lived at Snettisham Hall. He was Sheriff of Norfolk.
Port Snettisham Snettisham Peninsula Vol. 4, p. 1377   Snettisham Hall in Norfolk was the home of Nicholas Styleman.
Point Anmer Anmer Creek Vol. 4, p. 1377   Anmer is a small village, a few kilometres east of King's Lynn, Vancouver's birthplace.
Point Coke   Vol. 4, p. 1377   Thomas William Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester (1754-1842) was a politician and agriculturist. The family home was Holkham Hall in Norfolk, not far from King's Lynn where Vancouver grew up.
Holkham Bay   Vol. 4, p. 1377   Holkham Hall in Norfolk was the home of Thomas William Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester.
Point Astley   Vol. 4, p. 1378   Sir Edward Astley (1729-1802) was M.P. for Norfolk from 1768 to 1790.
Point Windham Windham Bay Vol. 4, p. 1378   William Windham (1750-1810) was a politician, who was Secretary for war during the 1790s. He had Norfolk connections.
Point Hobart Hobart Bay Vol. 4, p. 1378   Hobart was the family name of the Earls of Buckinghamshire. Vancouver may have been honouring John Hobart, the second earl (1723-1793), or, more probably, Robert Hobart, Robert, the fourth earl (1760-1816). Neither had any direct naval links.
Point Walpole   Vol. 4, p. 1378   Horace Walpole, fourth earl of Orford (1717-1797) was an author, politician and patron of the arts. The family home was at Houghton Hall in north Norfolk.
Port Houghton   Vol. 4, p. 1378   Houghton Hall in north Norfolk was the family home of the Walpoles.
Cape Fanshaw Fanshaw Range; Fanshaw Bay; Mount Fanshaw Vol. 4, p. 1378   Possibly Captain Robert Fanshawe (1740-1823), who was a naval officer (captain 1768) and from 1797 until his death was Naval Commissioner of Plymouth. He was also M.P. for Plymouth from 1784 to 1790.

  Chatham Strait (form south)

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Chatham Strait (Vancouver used Sound)   Vol. 4, p. 1390 V. John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham (1756-1835) an army officer and politician. From 1778 to 1794, he was First Lord of the Admiralty so was in power when Vancouver set off on his expedition. The second vessel was named after him.
Cape Decision        
Wooden Island   Vol. 4, p. 1394 V. Isaac Wooden was an A.B. on the Discovery. He fell overboard near Cape Ommanney on 24 August 1794 and drowned. Vancouver named the nearby islet after him.
Port Conclusion Point Conclusion Vol. 4, p. 1371 V. Vancouver's last anchorage, marking the end of the survey in August 1794.
Port Armstrong Armstrong Point on chart only   Puget's sister, Elizabeth, married Thomas Armstrong.
Point Eliza   on chart only   Puget's sister, Elizabeth, married Thomas Armstrong.
Port Malmesbury   Vol. 4, p. 1383   James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury(1746-1820) was a civil servant and diplomat.
Point Harris Harris Bay Vol. 4, p. 1383   James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury(1746-1820) was a civil servant and diplomat.
Point Ellis   Vol. 4, p. 1384  
Swaine Point       The point was named much later after Spelman Swaine, who was on the expedition.
Point Sullivan   Vol. 4, p. 1384  
Kingsmill Point   Vol. 4, p. 1384 V. Sir Robert Brice Kingsmill (1730-1805) was a naval officer (captain 1762; admiral 1799).
Point Gardner   Vol. 4, p. 1359   Alan Gardner, first Baron Gardner (1742-1808) was a naval officer (captain 1766; admiral 1799) and politician. He had been Vancouver's commanding officer in the West Indies and was the uncle of Robert Barrie and Henry Humphrys.
Hood Bay   Vol. 4, p. 1358   Samuel Hood, first Viscount Hood (1724-1816) was a naval officer (captain 1756; admiral 1794). He was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1788 to 1794.
Point Samuel   Vol. 4, p. 1358   Samuel Hood, first Viscount Hood (1724-1816) was a naval officer (captain 1756; admiral 1794). He was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1788 to 1794.
Point Parker   Vol. 4, p. 1356   There were several Admiral Parkers in the Royal Navy in the 1790s. None appear to have had a close relationship with a person on the voyage. As Vancouver does not say who he was honouring, the Parker in question remains unknown.
Point Marsden   Vol. 4, p. 1356   William Marsden was second Secretary to the Admiralty from 1795 to 1804 and then Secretary to the Admiralty from 1804 to 1807.
Point Augusta   Vol. 4, p. 1360   Princess Augusta Sophia (1768-1840) was the 6th child and 2nd daughter of King George III and Queen Charlotte.

  Frederick Sound (from west)

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Frederick Sound Frederick Point Vol. 4, p. 1383   Frederick, Prince, Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827) was the 2nd child and 2nd son of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
Kingsmill Point   Vol. 4, p. 1384 V. Sir Robert Brice Kingsmill (1730-1805) was a naval officer (captain 1762; admiral 1799).
Cornwallis Point   Vol. 4, p. 1384   Sir William Cornwallis (cccc-1819) was a naval officer (captain 1765; admiral 1799).
Port Camden Point Camden Vol. 4, p. 1385   John Jeffreys Pratt, 1st Marquess of Camden (1759-1840) was a politician. He was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1782 to 1783 and from 1783 to 1784.
Point Townshend   Vol. 4, p. 1359   The Honourable J.T. Townshend was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1789 to 1791. The name is no longer used and the point is now known as Point Brightman
Point Nepean   Vol. 4, p. 1372   Sir Evan Nepean (1752-1822) was a civil servant and politician. He was Secretary to the Admiralty from 1795 to 1804. Early in his life, he had been in the navy. Later, when he was in the Home Office, Nepean was directly involved with arrangements for Vancouver's voyage. (Now known as Point Napean)
Point Macartney   Vol. 4, p. 1388   George Macartney, Earl Macartney (1737-1806) was a diplomat and colonial governor. In 1769, early in his career, he acted for a short time as chief secretary to Lord Townshend, the Irish Lord Lieutenant.
Point Vandeput   Vol. 4, p. 1379   George Vandeput (?-1800) was a naval officer (captain 1765; admiral 1799).

  Sumner Strait (from southwest). Sumner Strait was named much later after

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Coronation Island   Vol. 3, p. 1067 V. Vanouver had finished his second season (1793) on the Northwest Coast of America. As he left, he passed this island on 22 September, Coronation Day. King George III and Queen Charlotte had married on that date in 17xx.
Cape Pole Pole Anchorage Vol. 3, p. 1067 V. Sir Charles Morice Pole (1757-1830), naval officer (captain 1779; admiral 1805) and politician.
Warrens Island Warren Peak; Warren Cove; Warren Channel Vol. 3, p. 1059, 1068 V. Sir John Borlase Warren (1753-1822) was a naval officer (captain 1781; admiral 1810).
Point Borlase   Vol. 3, p. 1059, 1068 V. Sir John Borlase Warren (1753-1822) was a naval officer (captain 1781; admiral 1810).
Cape Decision Decision Passage Vol. 3, p. 1064 V. Vancouver remarked that the extent of prior discoveries had been decided, hence the name.
Affleck Canal   Vol. 3, p. 1060 V. Philip Affleck (c1727-1799) was a naval officer (captain 1759; admiral 1795).
Port Beauclerc Beauclerc Island; Beauclerc Peak Vol. 3, p. 1059-1060   Lord Amelius Beauclerk (xxxx-1846) was the 3rd son of the 5th Duke of St. Albans. He was a naval officer (captain 1793; admiral 1830), who served on HMS Europa under Alan Gardner.
Point Amelius Amelius Island Vol. 3, p. 1059-1060   Lord Amelius Beauclerk (xxxx-1846) was the 3rd son of the 5th Duke of St. Albans.
Point St. Albans   Vol. 3, p. 1059-1060   Lord Amelius Beauclerk (xxxx-1846) was the 3rd son of the 5th Duke of St. Albans.
Mount Calder Calder Rocks; Calder Bay Vol. 3, p. 1065 V. Sir Robert Calder (1745-1818) was a naval officer (captain 1780; admiral 1810).
Port Protection Protection Head Vol. 3, p. 1056 V. The inlet provided a safe anchorage for Vancouver and his ships from a severe storm.
Point Baker   Vol. 3, p. 1056 V. Joseph Baker was a lieutenant on HMS Discovery.
Point Barrie Barrie Lake Vol. 3, p. 1057 V. Sir Robert Barrie was a midshipman on HMS Discovery.
Conclusion Island   Vol. 3, p. 1056 V. The end of Johnstone's last survey for the year 1793.
Mitchell Point   Vol. 3, p. 1049 V. Sir William Mitchell (?-1816) was a naval officer (captain 1790; vice admiral 1814). He was a rare officer in having risen from several year's service as an A.B. He is even supposed to have been "flogged round the fleet" at one time early in his life.
Point Colpoys   Vol. 3, p. 1050 V. Sir John Colpoys (c.1742-1821) was a naval officer (captain 1773; admiral 1801).
Duncan Canal Little Duncan Bay; Duncan Creek Vol. 3, p. 1049 V. Adam Duncan, Viscount Duncan (1731-1804) was a naval officer (captain 1761; admiral 1795).
Point Hood   Vol. 3, p. 1048 V. Alexander Hood, Viscount Bridport (1726-1814) was a naval officer and politician. He was a younger brother of Samuel Hood honoured elsewhere. The name was applied to a headland inside Duncan Canal but is no longer used,
Point Alexander   Vol. 3, p. 1048 V. Alexander Hood, Viscount Bridport (1726-1814) was a naval officer and politician. He was a younger brother of Samuel Hood honoured elsewhere.
Point St. John St. John Harbor on chart only   Probably named after General Frederick St. John (1765-1844), who was an army officer.
Craig Point Middle Craig Point; South Craig Point Vol. 3, p. 1048   Sir James Henry Craig (1748-1812) was an army officer. He fought in the War of American Independence and he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the 16th regiment in 1781. At the conclusion of the American war, he served for a time in Ireland where in 1790 he was promoted to the rank of colonel. In 1795, he led the capture of Cape Colony from the Dutch. Vancouver encountered the British forces heading for the Cape when he reached St. Helena, near the end of his voyage.
Blaquiere Point   Vol. 3, p. 1047   John Blaquiere, 1st Baron de Blaquiere (1732-1812) was a politician. He spent some years in the army in an Irish regiment, becoming a lieutenant-colonel in the 17th dragoons in 1763. He accompanied Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt when he went to Ireland in 1772 as lord lieutenant. Blaquiere was his chief secretary and the position caused him to retire from the army. He remained active in Irish politics.
Point Highfield   Vol. 3, pp. 1047-1048   Sir William Augustus Pitt (c.1728-1809) was an army officer. In 1744, he joined the 10th dragoons and by 1770 he was colonel of the 12th dragoons. He became a general in 1793 and was from 1784 to 1791 commander of the forces in Ireland. Later, from 1794 until his death, he was governor of Portsmouth. Pitt married Mary Howe, daughter of Emanuel Scroope Howe, second Viscount Howe, in 1763. He died at Highfield Park, Hampshire.
Point Howe   Vol. 3, pp. 1047-1048   Sir William Augustus Pitt (c.1728-1809) was an army officer. Pitt married Mary Howe, daughter of Emanuel Scroope Howe, second Viscount Howe, in 1763. See also entry immediately above.
Point Rothsay   Vol. 3, p. 1048   Unknown

  Clarence Strait (from north)

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Clarence Strait   Vol. 3, p. 1050, 1064 V. William, Prince, Duke of Clarence (1765-1837) was the 3rd child and 3rd son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. He later became King William IV. In 1797 the Duke was made ranger of Bushy Park at Teddington. Clarence also was a naval officer, becoming an Admiral. Vancouver called it Duke of Clarence's Strait but the name was subsequently shortened,
Bushy Island   Vol. 3, p. 1050, 1064   William, Prince, Duke of Clarence was ranger of Bushy Park at Teddington.
Point Colpoys   Vol. 3, p. 1050 V. Sir John Colpoys (c.1742-1821) was a naval officer.
Macnamara Point   Vol. 3, p. 1050 V. James Macnamara (1768-1826) was a naval officer (captain 1795; rear admiral 1814) . He served on HMS Europa based in Jamaica in the 1780s. He was therefore known to Vancouver.
Point Nesbitt Nesbitt Reef Vol. 3, p. 1050   The Nesbitts were a prominent Irish banking family in the late eighteenth century.
Duke of York's Island   Vol. 3, p. 1051 V. Frederick, Prince, Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827) was the 2nd child and 2nd son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. The name is no longer used as the island actually comprises several, including Zarembo and Etolin Islands.
Prince of Wales Island   Vol. 3, p. 1064   George Augustus Frederick, Prince of Wales (1762-1830) was the 1st child and 1st son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. He later became King George IV.
Point Stanhope Stanhope Island Vol. 3, p. 1050   Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington (1753-1829) was an army officer. He served in Jamaica at the beginning of the 1780s so may have known Vancouver.
Point Harrington   Vol. 3, p. 1050   Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington (1753-1829) was an army officer. He served in Jamaica at the beginning of the 1780s so may have known Vancouver.
Point Onslow   Vol. 3, p. 1045   Sir Richard Onslow (1741-1817) was a naval officer (captain 1762; admiral 1799).
Lemesurier Point   Vol. 3, p. 1044 V. William Le Mesurier was a midshipman on the Chatham.
Caamano Point   Vol. 3, p. 1032 V.  
Grindall Point Grindall Passage; Grindall Island Vol. 3, p. 1045 V. Sir Richard Grindall (17xx-1820) was a naval officer (captain 1783; vice admiral 1810). He sailed on Cook's second voyage with Vancouver.
Cholmondeley Sound   Vol. 3, p. 1031   Earl of Cholmondeley XXXX
Wedge Islands   Vol. 3, p. 1031 V. The island resembled a wedge (now used for small group).
Moira Sound Moira Island Vol. 3, p. 1031 V. Francis Rawdon Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings and 2nd Earl of Moira (1754-1826) was an army officer and politician.
Point Davison   Vol. 3, p. 1020 V. Alexander Davison (1750-1829) was a government contractor and naval agent (he acted as such for Lord Nelson, who was godfather of one of his daughters). He owned the storeship Daedalus that was the third ship in Vancouver's expedition. Coming from Northumberland, he developed connections with the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland.
Point Percy Percy Islands Vol. 3, pp. 1020-1021 V. Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland (1742-1817) was an army officer and politician.
Cape Northumberland   Vol. 3, pp. 1020-1021 V. Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland (1742-1817) was an army officer and politician.
Vancouver Island       A small islet off Cape Northumberland was named after Vancouver at a later date.

  Eastern Passage and Ernest Sound (from north). The Eastern Passage was not named by Vancouver but named later.

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Point Highfield   Vol. 3, pp. 1047-1048***   Sir William Augustus Pitt (c.1728-1809) was an army officer. In 1744, he joined the 10th dragoons and by 1770 he was colonel of the 12th dragoons. He became a general in 1793 and was from 1784 to 1791 commander of the forces in Ireland. Later, from 1794 until his death, he was governor of Portsmouth. Pitt married Mary Howe, daughter of Emanuel Scroope Howe, second Viscount Howe, in 1763. He died at Highfield Park, Hampshire.
Point Madan Madan Bay Vol. 3, pp. 1045-1046   Colonel Martin Madan was a Colonel-in-Chief of the Dragoon Guards in Ireland and one of his sons was Dr. Spencer Madan (1729-1813), who was Bishop of Peterborough from 1794 to his death. The bishop had a daughter, Charlotte, who married George Warde, the son of General Warde (see below).
Bradfield Canal Bradfield River Vol. 3, pp. 1045-1046   General George Warde (?-1803) of Bradfield, Berkshire, was Commander-in-Chief in Ireland from 1791 to 1793. He was also Colonel-in-Chief of the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards from 1778 to 1803.
Warde Point   Vol. 3, pp. 1045-1046   General George Warde (?-1803) of Bradfield, Berkshire, was Commander-in-Chief in Ireland from 1791 to 1793. He was also Colonel-in-Chief of the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards from 1778 to 1803. His son, George, married Charlotte Madan, the granddaughter of Colonel Martin Madan.
Ernest Sound Ernest Point Vol. 3, p. 1045 V. Ernest Augustus, Prince, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale (1771-1851) was the 8th child and 5th son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. He later became King of Hanover. Vancouver called the strait Prince Ernest's Sound.

  Behm Canal (anticlockwise)

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Behm Canal Behm Narrows Vol. 3, p. 1019 V. Magnus von Behm was Governor of Kamchatka when Charles Clerke took the Resolution and Discovery to Petropavlovsk in 1779 after Cook's death. Behm carried news of Cook's death to Moscow, from where it reached London. Vancouver would have met him in Kamchatka.
Revillagigedo XXXX   Vol. 3, p. 1019 V. The Conde de Revillagigedo was Viceroy of New Spain.****
Caamano Point   Vol. 3, p. 1032 V. ****
Vallenar Point Vallenar Bay; Vallenar Rock Vol. 3, p. 1018 V. Ambrosio O'Higgins, Marqués de Vallenar***
Point Higgins   Vol. 3, p. 1018 V. Ambrosio O'Higgins, Marqués de Vallenar****
Betton Island   Vol. 3, p. 1018 V. Roderick Betton was injured in the attack by Tlingit people that took place north of the island at Escape Point. The muster roll records him as Roderick; Vancouver's text states Robert. He was the sailmaker's mate, aged 25 at the start of the voyage and from Glasgow. The island sometimes appears as Beaton Island.
Point Francis   on chart only   ***
Port Stewart   Vol. 3, p. 1043 V. John Stewart was a midshipman on the Discovery. He surveyed this inlet.
Escape Point   Vol. 3, p. 1015 V. Vancouver's survey party was attacked here by local Tlingit people.
Traitors Cove   Vol. 3, p. 1015 V. Vancouver's survey party was attacked here by local Tlingit people.
Bell Island Bell Arm Vol. 3, p. 1048 V. Edward Bell was a midshipman on the Chatham.
Burroughs Bay   Vol. 3, p. 1010   Sir William Burroughs had army connections and had been advocate general in Bengal during the Earl Cornwallis' ttenure as Governor General of Bengal. He came from Castle Bagshaw in County Cavan, Ireland.
Fitzgibbon Point   Vol. 3, p. 1009   John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare (1748-1802) was a lawyer and politician. In November 1783, FitzGibbon became Attorney-General of Ireland. Then in 1789, FitzGibbon was created Baron FitzGibbon and appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He was made Earl of Clare on 12 June 1795. FitzGibbon married Anne Whaley.
Point Whaley   Vol. 3, p. 1010   Anne Whaley was an Irishwoman, who married John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare on 01 July 1786. Her brother, Thomas (1766-1800), was an Irish politician and a gambler. The Earl bailed him out of his gambling debts.
Point Lees   Vol. 3, p. 1010   Sir John Lees (1737-1811), a Scot, went to Ireland as secretary to George Townshend during his tenure as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Thomas Manby's father was aide-de-camp to Townshend and Thomas Manby and Lees became friends. Manby kept a diary during the voyage in the form of letters addressed to Lees (it has since disappeared). Lees stayed on in Ireland becoming Secretary of the Irish Post Office and later Secretary at War. He was buried at Monkstown.
Walker Cove Walker Creek; Walker Lake Vol. 3, p. 1036 V. William Walker was surgeon on the Chatham.
New Eddystone Rock   Vol. 3, p. 1006 V. The rock in the middle of the eastern arm of the Behm Canal was thought to resemble Eddystone, the lighthouse in the English Channel, off Plymouth.
Point Trollop   Vol. 3, p. 1006   Sir Henry Trollope (1756-1839) was a naval officer (captain 1781; admiral 1812).
Point Nelson   Vol. 3, p. 1005 V. Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805) was a naval officer (captain 1779; vice admiral 1801).
Point Sykes Sykes Cove; Sykes Lake Vol. 3, p. 1005 V. John Sykes was a midshipman on the Discovery.
Slate Islet   Vol. 3, p. 1004 V. Named as the principal rock making up the island was slate.
Point Alava Alava Bay Vol. 3, p. 1004 V. José Manuel de Alava was Spanish Commissioner at Nootka from 1794 and, as such, negotiated with Vancouver.

  Portland Canal and Observatory Inlet

Name of feature Nearby name derivatives Page in Lamb Van. Reasons
Portland Canal Portland Inlet Vol. 3, p. 1022 V. Named after the Portland family. William Henry Cavendish Cavendish-Bentinck (1738-1809), a politician, was 3rd Duke of Portland at the time. He had been Prime Minister in 1783.
Cape Fox Fox Island; Fox Hill Vol. 3, p. 1001 V. Charles James Fox (1749-1806) was a politician.
Foggy Point   Vol. 3, p. 1001 V. It was raining and the weather most unpleasant when Vancouver passed this point.
Wales Point Wales Island; Wales Passage; Wales Harbor Vol. 3, p. 1030 V. William Wales (17xx-18xx) was an astronomer and teacher. He sailed on Cook's second voyage and taught Vancouver much about astronomy. They became friends. Wales later taught at Christs Hospital School.
Maskelyne Island   Vol. 3, p. 985 V. Nevil Maskelyne (1732-1811) was an astronomer and mathematician. He was Astronomer Royal for 46 years from 1765 until his death. Vancouver actually named Point Maskelyne on the island.
Ramsden Point   Vol. 3, p. 993 V. Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800) was a maker of scientific instruments, especially astronomical, and some of the instruments carried on Vancouver's expedition were from Ramsden.
Observatory Inlet   Vol. 3, p. 1026 V. Whidbey set up an observatory and made many astronomical readings and calculations here.
Salmon Cove   Vol. 3, p. 1026 V. Many salmon were caught here.

 

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