North West America

NORTH WEST AMERICA was the first European vessel built and launched on the BC coast. It was a 40-ton sloop built in 1788 under the direction of John MEARES at YUQUOT on the west coast of VANCOUVER ISLAND. Launched on 20 Sept, it was used as a coastal vessel to trade for SEA OTTER pelts. It was one of the ships captured by the Spanish in 1789 (see NOOTKA SOUND CONTROVERSY); renamed the Santa Gertrudis, it was used for exploration on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

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