Frobisher Sails for the Northwest Passage

1576

Martin Frobisher led three small English ships into the Arctic in search of a northern sea route to China. He reached Baffin Island, mistook it for an island separating Asia from America, and brought back shiploads of black ore that turned out to be worthless pyrite. Disappointment paid dearly. The two hundred tons of ore proved worthless pyrite, bankrupting the Cathay Company and discrediting Arctic exploration for a generation.