(1565-1611) Not much is known about Hudson's early life; even the year of his birth is uncertain. But he apparently became a navigator and in 1607 and 1608 made two attempts to find a [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Northwest Passage]], on behalf of English merchants. In 1609, Hudson was hired by the [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Dutch East India Company]] and explored Nova Scotia, Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, New York Harbor and the river that was named for him, again looking for a route through the continent. A year later, he made a final voyage on behalf of the [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Virginia Company]] and the British [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/East India Company]], and explored what became known as Hudson Bay. During this expedition, Hudson's crew mutinied and stranded him, his teenaged son, and several others at James Bay. The stranded men were never seen by Europeans again.