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What did Christopher Middleton learn from exploring Wager Bay and Repulse Bay?

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In 1742, after wintering at the Hudson’s Bay Company post at Churchill, the navigator Christopher Middleton explored the northern coast of Hudson Bay. During this expedition, he discovered and surveyed both Wager Bay and Repulse Bay.

Based on his findings in these areas, Middleton concluded that there was no viable Northwest Passage accessible from Hudson Bay and subsequently returned home. Despite his clear findings, his sponsor, Arthur Dobbs, remained skeptical and accused Middleton of concealing evidence of a passage due to alleged bribery by the Hudson’s Bay Company, leading to further unsuccessful expeditions to verify the area.1