Fort Defiance (British Columbia)

In early August 1791, John Kendrick arrived in Clayoquot Sound and acquired land from Wickaninnish, chief of the Tla-o-qui-aht, in exchange for firearms.

Kendrick fortified a small island, and like his Nootka Sound base, called it Fort Washington.

[1] On September 19, Gray located a narrow cove suitable for wintering the Columbia, and building a sloop.

[6] Other structures included a blacksmith shop, two sawpits for cutting logs, cabins, and a boatbuilding shed.

[8] The next task was constructing the sloop Adventure, incorporating framing supplies carried in the Columbia's hold.

In final retaliation, on leaving the area, Gray ordered the destruction of 200 homes in the local Opitsaht village.

Launch of Adventure with Fort Defiance and Columbia in background. Painting by George Davidson, who served as an artist on Columbia