Eriksen was the first to sight and shore Kong Karls Land, commemorated by the strait Erik Eriksenstretet.
He subsequently travelled to Tønsberg to meet with whaling and shipping magnate Svend Foyn to present him with the model of a proposed grenade harpoon.
In July 1868 Erik Eriksen emigrated to the United States leaving his wife and children in Norway.
In 1870, Svend Foyn successfully patented and pioneered the modern exploding whaling harpoon and gun.
However, Svend Foyn did provide financial assistance to Eriksen's family in Hammerfest.