Henry Hudson embarked on his fourth voyage in 1610, mainly navigating the waters of what is now known as Hudson Bay. His mission sought a northwest passage to Asia, but as the journey progressed, the harsh conditions and diminishing supplies led to escalating tensions between Hudson and his crew. By the summer of 1611, moral was low, and while Hudson remained determined to explore further, his crew's patience wore thin. On June 23, 1611, after a series of disputes, a faction of the crew decided to mutiny. They seized control of the ship and, tragically, set Hudson, his teenage son John, and seven loyal crew members adrift in a small open boat. Stripped of any means of survival and abandoning them to harsh conditions of Hudson Bay, the mutineers returned to England, leaving the fate of Hudson and his companions uncertain.

The exact circumstances surrounding the abandonment were brutal; Hudson, known for his explorative spirit, found his quest thwarted not by the elements, but by human betrayal. The decision of the crew represented a culmination of conflict built on desperation and fear. When Hudson and his remaining loyal crew set out in the small boat, they were cast into the unknown with little chance of survival. Hudson's exploration in those icy waters came to an abrupt end, and he, along with his son and crew, were never heard from again. This marked a significant moment in the age of exploration, highlighting the potential for conflict in the pursuit of discovery.