Frobisher Bay

Frobisher Bay cuts deeply into southeastern Baffin Island, between the Hall and Meta Incognita peninsulas. Its narrowing waters are fringed by steep shores and numerous islands, with strong tides running through the inlet. Inuit had long lived and hunted around the bay before English ships appeared in search of a passage to Asia.

Martin Frobisher entered the bay in 1576, believing it to be a strait leading west. Five of his men disappeared after an encounter with Inuit, and he took an Inuk captive on his return voyage. A piece of dark rock brought back to England was thought to contain gold, prompting two larger expeditions. Crews mined the supposed ore on Kodlunarn Island and elsewhere; in 1578 Frobisher returned with a fleet of fifteen ships and plans for a settlement. The cargo proved worthless, and the venture was abandoned.