Yes, the ship Tonquin did come to Astoria—and played a vital role in its founding!
📖 Key Facts:
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Ship Name: Tonquin
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Owned by: John Jacob Astor’s Pacific Fur Company
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Mission: To establish a fur trading post on the Pacific Coast—what would become Fort Astoria
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Arrival in Astoria: March 1811
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Captain: Jonathan Thorn
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Notable Crew: A mix of Americans, French-Canadians, and Hawaiian laborers
🏴☠️ What Happened After?
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After unloading supplies and helping establish Fort Astoria, the Tonquin sailed north to trade with Indigenous nations around Vancouver Island.
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In June 1811, while anchored near Clayoquot Sound, a confrontation with the Tla-o-qui-aht people turned violent.
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The ship was destroyed—blown up in a deadly explosion (allegedly set by the wounded ship’s clerk).
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Most of the crew perished; only one or two are believed to have survived the massacre and escape attempt.
🏙 Why It Matters:
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The Tonquin’s voyage directly led to the founding of Astoria, making it the first American settlement on the Pacific Coast.
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The loss of the Tonquin was a major blow to the Pacific Fur Company—but Fort Astoria continued and helped shape the region’s fur trade history.
