Frozen Mystery

Henry Hudson made several dangerous voyages while searching for a faster sea route between Europe and Asia. This passage introduces students to Hudson’s career as an English explorer and explains his attempts to find both the Northeast and Northwest Passages. Readers follow his journeys through icy northern waters and learn how one expedition brought him to the river that would later carry his name.

This worksheet explores Hudson’s discoveries as well as the mysterious ending of his final voyage. Students learn how his ship became trapped in ice in Hudson Bay and how tensions among the crew eventually led to a mutiny. Hudson, his son, and several loyal sailors were placed in a small boat and never seen again. The passage helps students practice identifying key events, examining challenges and consequences, and understanding how Hudson’s voyages influenced later exploration and trade.