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Jonathan Thorn and the Tonquin (Part 1)

© Elizabeth Gibson

John Jacob Astor, president of the American Fur Company, picked Jonathan Thorn to explore the Columbia River country, to set up a new headquarters for his fur empire. Thorn had good credentials as a naval officer. But what Astor didn't know was that Thorn was cruel, ill-tempered, unpredictable, and ruthless. He had no respect for his junior officers or Astor's four partners, who would accompany him on this voyage. Several times over the course of the trip, the crew came close to mutiny.

The Tonquin, a 290-ton bark, was to sail from New York, around Cape Horn, and up the West Coast. At the same time, Astor sent an overland expedition led by Wilson Price Hunt. The ship set sail on September 8, 1810. The frigate Constitution escorted the Tonquin out of New York harbor.

With Thorn and his sailors were David Stewart, Robert Stewart, Duncan MacDougall, and Alexander Mackay. Thorn treated them, and all the passengers, as if they were common sailors. The first night at sea, Thorn ordered lights out at 8 p.m. because of the presence of a strange ship on the horizon. No one liked this, but all Thorn had to say about it was, "anyone not obeying my commands will be placed in irons." MacDougall said if he attempted to do such a thing, he would kill him. Thorn also distrusted the French-Canadian trappers because they were former employees of the Northwest Fur Company.

When his men got seasick, he would not allow the aides to take any food to their quarters. So they often went days without any food. When they got better and could eat, he refused to give them anything extra and in fact, restricted their rations. He banned any kind of games or anything to entertain themselves. The partners wanted to see some of the sights along the route, but Thorn rejected all suggestions, plotting a direct course.

Finally Thorn stopped at the Falkland Islands, because he needed fresh water. The Astor partners were thrilled to get the chance to walk around and stretch their legs. Thorn threatened to leave anyone behind if they didn't come back when he was ready to go. He fired a cannon to signal that everyone should return. Everyone did except MacDougall, MacKay, and another sailor, who lost track of time. Thorn was fuming by the time they returned. As it turned out, the water on this island was too difficult to get to.

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