For centuries explorers wanted to find a route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through the waters surrounding Canada's Arctic Islands. To find such a route, known as the Northwest Passage, would increase trade opportunities for many nations. In 1906 a vessel finally completed the voyage by sea. Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen made the trip in three years on the 47-ton boat Gjöa. The first single-season journey through the passage came in 1944. Sergeant Henry A. Larsen of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police made it through in a schooner.

Location

The Northwest Passage is located about 500 miles (800 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle and less than 1,200 miles (1,900 kilometers) from the North Pole. The route is made up of a series of deep channels through Canada's Arctic Islands—extending about 900 miles (1,450 kilometers) from east to west—from north of Baffin Island to the Beaufort Sea, north of Alaska.

Exploration

Navigating the Northwest Passage can be dangerous, especially because of thousands of giant icebergs that pose a danger to ships. Many explorers who tried to find the Northwest Passage encountered trouble from the ice and cold weather. Some turned back; others died. These unsuccessful journeys, however, helped people learn more about the area.

In 1845 British explorer Sir John Franklin and 128 men disappeared during their voyage. A number of boats were sent to look for them. The ship of one searcher, Irishman Robert McClure, entered the passage from the west and became frozen in the ice for two winters. He and his men finally gave up on the ship and traveled by land to meet another ship in the east. Thus they completed the first Northwest Passage in 1854, though in more than one ship and partly on foot. The Northwest Passage was not finally conquered by sea until the end of Amundsen's voyage in 1906.

Future of the passage

Someday the Northwest Passage might be open to regular business traffic. This would have a great impact on the economies of many nations, especially the United States and Canada. The route would greatly cut the distances ocean vessels need to travel to reach certain places. However, the cost of strengthening ships against ice and the cost of insuring vessels using this risky route may outweigh the benefits.