native of Dartmonth, and the neighbour and friend of the Gilberts and of Ralegh, so that an ardent zeal for northern discovery was early implanted in his breast. Through the munificence of Mr. William Sanderson, a wealthy London merchant of the Fishmongers' Company, Davis was enabled to equip two vessels for a northern expedition of discovery — the Sunshine of 50, and the Moonshine of 35 tons. Sailing from Dartmouth in June, 1585, Davis touched on the coast of Greenland and acquired experience in ice navigation. Returning in September, he started on a second voyage in May, 1586, returning in August. Undaunted by failure he induced his employers to fit out a third expedition, this time consisting of three vessels — the Elizabeth, Sunshine, and a small pinnace of 20 tons called the Ellen.
The third was the most important of the three Arctic voyages of John Davis. Being very anxious to make it remunerative to his generous and enterprising employers, he sent the two larger vessels to fish, while he prosecuted his discoveries along the coast of Greenland on board the little twenty-ton pinnace. He sailed northwards, in an open sea, until he reached 72° 12′ N., where he named a lofty, and now well-known, headland, "Sanderson, his hope of a north-west passage." He reached this point on the 30th June, 1587, hoping to proceed on a prosperous voyage. But soon afterwards he was beset in the ice for several days, which diverted him from his course, and he sailed across the strait that bears his name, returning safely to Dartmouth in September, 1587. Davis did a great work in the course of these three voyages. He discovered Davis' Strait; he lighted the way to others who were destined to penetrate farther north and farther west; he set a bright example of scientific skill, consummate seamanship and dauntless gallantry which was followed by numerous successors; and he firmly believed in the possibility of making the voyage under more favourable circumstances, as he stated in an interesting letter, which has been preserved, to his old friend Francis Drake.
Ten years before Davis commenced his Arctic voyages, Francis Drake had returned from his Irish service resolved to put his plans into execution. For his dreams of navigating English ships in the South Sea had become solid and carefully thought out plans. His age in 1577 was thirty-seven. He had been at sea nearly all his life. He had received the training of an explorer, and was a thorough seaman and a scientific pilot. He was a wise and prudent
