Manitoba
Set text to smallest size Set text to normal size Set text to larger size Set text to largest size

Kennedy's return voyages

Each season, HBC ships would leave England in early June, travel to Hudson Bay, offload goods, pick up furs and return to England. The round trip took about five months. For the several weeks it took to cross the Atlantic Ocean, the ship’s crew and passengers lived in dark, damp, and cramped quarters below deck, and slept on hard bunks. Meals were monotonous, consisting of dried beans, biscuits, oatmeal, salted meat or fish, some butter and cheese, and water or beer. Scurvy was a threat because of the lack of fresh, vitamin-filled food. Crowded conditions, poor sanitation and vermin aboard ship promoted the spread of other diseases.

Kennedy returned to Orkney several times, although his first visit home did not take place for more than 20 years. In the fall of 1819, he returned to Britain with two of his sons, 14-year-ol John and 11-year-old Alexander. The boys were to remain at school in St. Margaret’s Hope, South Ronaldsay, while Kennedy returned to take charge of Norway House the next summer.

After passing five more years in North America, being promoted to chief factor, and traveling west to the Columbia Department, in 1825, Kennedy sailed to England aboard the Prince of Wales with his sons William and George. Again, he left his sons with family in Orkney and returned to work the next year.

Kennedy spent three years as chief factor in Albany before making another voyage home with his sons in 1829, this time taking Alexander and Roderick. In 1830, he and Alexander returned to the Red River Settlement via York Factory.