Palliser Expedition

The British North American Exploring Expedition, commonly called the Palliser expedition, explored and surveyed the open prairies and rugged wilderness of western Canada from 1857 to 1860. The purpose of the expedition was to gather scientific information on Rupert's Land, including information on the geography, climate, soil, flora and fauna, to discover its capabilities for settlement and transportation. This was the first detailed and scientific survey of the region from Lake Superior to the southern passes of the Rocky Mountains. The expedition was led by John Palliser.

The party consisted of:

Captain John Palliser and James Hector

Eugène Bourgeau

Thomas Wright Blakiston

Palliser, Hector, Bourgeau, and Sullivan sailed for New York on 16 May 1857.

They sailed from Sault Ste Marie by steamship across Lake Superior. On June 12, they continued in canoes from Isle Royale, Michigan to Lower Fort Garry in Manitoba. The expedition continued with horses and carts, with supplies provided by the Hudson's Bay Company. They continued via the Red River and across the prairies. They met Charles W. Iddings, an American surveyor, along the United States border. The expedition continued through Turtle Mountain, Fort Ellice, Roche Percée, along the South Saskatchewan River to Fort Carlton, then along the North Saskatchewan River, where they spent the winter of 1857/1858.

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