ABSTRACT
Frobisher initially sought funding for the expedition from the merchant class of Britain since they had the most to gain from its discovery, but since they ‘never regard virtue without sure, certain, and present gains, he repaired to the Court (from whence, as from the fountain of our common wealth, all good causes have their chief increase and maintenance)’ (Best 1578/1:47). The Earl of Warwick primarily funded the initial expedition, which consisted of 2 ships (Gabriel and Michael), a pinnace (ship’s boat) and 36 men. Frobisher set sail on 15 June 1576. The ships traveled up the east coast of Britain and then to Iceland and Greenland. Disaster struck approximately halfway through the voyage. The pinnace sank during a storm and the Michael abandoned the expedition.
