the hbc did send some explorers inland. in 1690-92 henry kelsey reached the saskatchewan river, but this was not followed up. in 1715 james knight hearing reports of copper to the northwest sent william stuart inland to somewhere southeast of the great slave lake. in 1717 and 1721 richard norton went inland from churchill. in 1754-55 anthony henday took kelsey's route, passed some french forts and reached alberta. in 1769 and 1770 samuel hearne travelled to the barren grounds northwest of churchill. in 1771 he reached the arctic ocean at the mouth of the coppermine river.