Almost a Hero

The Voyages of John Meares, R.N., to China, Hawaii and the Northwest Coast

J. Richard Nokes

Narrated by James McSorley

Available from Audible

Book published by Washington State University Press

Beginning in 1786, Captain John Meares of Great Britain bravely explored and charted routes in the North Pacific, but his bold attempt to dominate the rich new fur trade between the Northwest Coast and Asia was frustrated when the Spanish navy seized his ships off Vancouver Island in 1789. His appeal to Parliament nearly resulted in war between England and Spain. Meares also built the first ship on the Northwest Coast and brought the first Chinese and a Hawaiian prince to the area, but missed the opportunity to explore the Strait of Juan de Fuca or discover the Columbia River. Hence, he was "almost a hero."

J. Richard Nokes was the chief editor for the Portland Oregonian.

REVIEWS:

“No name in Northwest Coast history conjures up more conflicting perspectives than that of John Meares.”

—Barry M. Gough, Wilfrid Laurier University, author, The Northwest Coast: British Navigation, Trade, and Discoveries to 1812