Page "George Vancouver" Paragraph 8

After the summer surveying season ended, in November 1792 Vancouver went to Nootka, then the region's most important harbour, on contemporary Vancouver Island.

Here he was to receive any British buildings and lands returned by the Spanish from claims by Francisco de Eliza for the Spanish crown.

The Spanish commander, Juan Francisco Bodega y Quadra, was very cordial and he and Vancouver exchanged the maps they had made, but no agreement was reached ; they decided to await further instructions.

At this time, they decided to name the large island on which Nootka was now proven to be located as Quadra and Vancouver Island.

Years later, as Spanish influence declined, the name was shortened to simply Vancouver Island.