Robert Gray had attempted in 1788 to…
August 1790 CE
Robert Gray had attempted in 1788 to enter a large river on the Northwest Coast, but was unable to due to the tides, this river being the Columbia River.
At the outset of the voyage, Gray had captained the Lady Washington and Kendrick had captained the Columbia Rediviva, but the captains had swapped vessels during the voyage, putting Gray in command of the Columbia.
After the switch, Kendrick had stayed on the North American coast trading for pelts and furs, while Gray had sailed their existing cargo of pelts to China, stopping off at the Sandwich Islands en route.
Arriving in Canton in early 1790, he had traded his cargo for large amounts of tea.
Gray had then continued on west, sailing through the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope, and across the Atlantic, arriving back in Boston on August 9, 1790.
As such, the Columbia becomes the first American vessel to circumnavigate the globe.
Although the commercial venture was disappointing, Gray is paraded through Boston for the circumnavigation accomplishment.
Accompanying Gray is a Hawaiian native, dressed in traditional Hawaiian dress, who had taken passage on the Columbia.
Gray then attends a reception held in his honor by governor John Hancock.