History of New Bedford:

The history of New Bedford as recorded by the English began four centuries ago and pre-dates the Pilgrims of Plymouth by 18 years. English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold investigated New Bedford's harbor on May 31, 1602 (Julian Calendar). Gosnold's expedition set out from Falmouth, England, and was financed in part by the Earl of Southampton, a patron of Shakespeare. Gosnold named Cape Cod for the abundance of fish he observed there; he named Martha's Vineyard for his beloved daughter, Martha, and named the Elizabeth Islands for his queen, Elizabeth I. Some historians place Gosnold's landing on New Bedford's mainland shore at "Smoking Rocks," a rocky outcropping that once existed approximately west-northwest of Palmer's Island. The site is now part of the South Terminal.

In his journal, "Captaine Gosnols Voyage to the North Part of Virginia," fellow voyager John Brereton described the area as "the goodliest Continent that ever we saw, promising more by farre then we any way did expect, also Medowes, and hedged with stately Groves, being furnished also with pleasant Brookes..." The journal also describes the party's first encounter with the peaceable Wampanoag, the Native Americans of this region.
Gosnold's men built a small stockade on the little islet in West End Pond on Cuttyhunk Island, from which they set forth to explore the surrounding islands and the mainland. Of particular interest to them was the collection of wild sassafras. Before returning to England, they decided against leaving a permanent party behind, as their provisions were low and the crew had reason to be wary of some of the natives they encountered. Indeed, had they stayed the winter of 1602, the little stockade on Cuttyhunk, or perhaps New Bedford might have become the first permanent English settlement in New England. In 2002, the City of New Bedford, in partnership with regional historical groups, conducted events in observance of the Gosnold Quadricentenntial .