Etien Marshan

Etien Marshan

French navigator
Country: France

Biography of Etienne Marchand

Etienne Marchand, a French navigator, was born in Marseille. In 1788, while returning from Bengal as the captain of a French trading fleet, Marchand met English captain Portlock in the harbor of Saint Helena. They discussed trade, valuable goods, and profitable markets. Marchand learned that sea otter furs were cheap on the west coast of North America but could be sold for a high price in China. He also discovered that China had goods suitable for European markets.

Upon his return to France, Marchand shared this information with the Bo brothers, who owned the shipyard in Marseille. They decided to take advantage of this opportunity and built a strong ship named "Solid" with a displacement of 300 tons. The ship was equipped with necessary protection, repair tools, and supplies for a three to four-year voyage.

In December 1790, "Solid" set sail from Marseille. After a brief stop in Praia, Cape Verde Islands, Marchand headed towards Estados Island, which he reached on April 1, 1791. He then circumnavigated Tierra del Fuego and entered the Pacific Ocean. Marchand's plan was to reach the northwest coast of America without stopping at any intermediate ports. However, due to spoilage of water barrels, he had to resupply. He decided to sail to the Marquesas Islands, where he discovered part of the islands unseen by Cook and his predecessors. He also explored the nature, customs, and habits of the inhabitants of Tahiti, Chinkitane and Klok-Bay bays, as well as the Queen Charlotte Islands off the coast of America.

Marchand and his crew of 50 sailors, including two captains, three lieutenants, and two doctors, had a successful and healthy voyage. Despite the limited scientific achievements of the expedition in terms of geography, the detailed observations made by Marchand and his companions were valuable. They accurately navigated and contributed to the creation of detailed maps, making it easier for future explorers to navigate the Pacific Ocean.

After reaching the Marquesas Islands, Marchand discovered a group of islands that were previously unknown to ancient mariners and Cook. He named the largest island after himself. The expedition continued towards the American coast, passing through the Barkley Sound and Coxinlet Bay, where they traded with the indigenous people.

From there, they sailed towards Taiwan and then to Macau, where Marchand received news that China had banned the import of furs. Unable to proceed with their planned trade, Marchand decided to head to Mauritius and return to Marseille, their home port.

Although the scientific achievements may have been minor for an official expedition, Marchand's voyage was significant for a privately funded ship. His meticulous navigation and mapping skills were commendable, and his detailed observations of the Marquesas Islands, Chinkitane Bay, Klok-Bay, and the Queen Charlotte Islands contributed to the understanding of these regions.

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