Hudson Bay High Sea

The open waters of western Hudson Bay lead towards the mouths of the Hayes and Nelson rivers, where rival traders built forts to control the fur trade. In 1697 Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville crossed the bay with a French squadron to attack the English post at York Factory. His flagship Pélican became separated from the other French ships and fought three English vessels near the fort, sinking the Hampshire. York Factory fell to the French shortly afterwards and remained in their hands until 1713.