[69] It is not a little singular that neither Middleton, Ellis, Christopher, Johnston nor Garbet, all of which explorers had visited Marble Island prior to 1767, and some of them often, ever discovered this harbour. The actual discoverer was Joseph Stephens, commanding the _Success_, a small vessel employed in the whale fishery. Two years later Stephens was given the command of the _Charlotte_, a fine brig of 100 tons, his mate then being Samuel Hearne, the explorer. [70] "I have seen," wrote Governor Hearne, "the remains of those houses several times; they are on the west side of the harbour, and in all probability will be discernible for many years to come." CHAPTER XXV. 1768-1773. Reports of the "Great River" -- Company despatch Samuel Hearne on a Mission of Discovery -- Norton's Instructions -- Saluted on his Departure from the Fort -- First and Second Journeys -- Matonabee -- Results of the Third Journey -- The Company's Servants in the Middle of the Century -- Death of Governor Norton. [Sidenote: The "Great River."] Some northern Indians, who came to trade at Prince of Wales' Fort in the spring of 1768, brought further accounts of the "Great River," as they persisted in calling it, and also produced several pieces of copper, as specimens of a mine long believed by the traders to exist in the vicinity. This determined Governor Norton to represent it to the Company as a matter well worthy their attention. As he went that year to England, he was given the opportunity of doing so in person; and in consequence of his representations, the Committee resolved to despatch an intelligent person by land to observe the latitude and longitude of the river's mouth, and to make a chart of the country traversed, with such observations as might lead to a better knowledge of the region. An intelligent mariner, Samuel Hearne, then in the Company's employ as mate of the brig _Charlotte_, was selected for the mission.[71] [Sidenote: Hearne's expedition of discovery.]