The HBC commissioned William Coats, master of a company ship, to explore and chart the Eastmain south of Cape Wolstenholme and identify a suitable harbour for a trading post. He chose Richmond Gulf and prepared several fine maps of this intricate, almost land-locked bay as well as a more general map of the Eastmain. Other masters of company ships also contributed to the increasingly precise cartography of the Eastmain.

Original map courtesy of Hudson's Bay Company Archives, Archives of Manitoba. HBCA G.1/18