Martin Frobisher

Martin Frobisher, born in 1535, was an intrepid English sea captain and privateer renowned for his ambitious voyages to the New World in search of the elusive North-west Passage. His explorations led him to sight Resolution Island near Labrador, Canada, before he ventured into Frobisher Bay and made landfall on what is now known as Baffin Island.

On his second expedition, Frobisher discovered what he believed to be gold ore, transporting an impressive two hundred short tons of it back to England. Initial assays suggested a profit of five pounds and twenty pence per ton, a figure that would equate to a staggering one thousand eight hundred pounds per ton in today's currency. This promising find spurred Frobisher to return to Canada with a larger fleet, where he excavated several mines around Frobisher Bay.

Ultimately, Frobisher brought back one thousand three hundred and fifty tons of ore to England. However, after extensive smelting, it was revealed that the ore was nothing more than a worthless rock containing the mineral hornblende, a disappointing outcome for the ambitious explorer.

In addition to his explorations, Frobisher also made a name for himself as a privateer, seizing valuable riches from French ships. His contributions to the naval efforts against the Spanish Armada in 1588 earned him a knighthood, solidifying his legacy as a significant figure in maritime history.