Sir Hugh Willocghby, an English explorer, born at Risby, Derbyshire, perished either at sea or on some portion of the arctic coast in the north of Finmark about January, 1554. In 1553 the merchants of London fitted out an exploring expedition, and invested him with the authority of admiral of their fleet of three vessels: the Bona Speranza, of 120 tons, Sir Hugh's ship; the Edward Bonaventura, of 160 tons; and the Bona Confidentia, of 90 tons; the whole carrying 136 persons, of whom 18 were merchants concerned in the venture. It was destined "for the discovery of regions, dominions, islands, and places unknown," but forming a part of the country claimed under Sebastian Cabot's discoveries. It sailed from Deptford May 10, 1553, but on July 30 the vessels were scattered by a storm, and they were detained on the coast for two months. The Bona Speranza and Bona Confidentia put into the harbor of Arzina in Lapland, where the crews and passengers all perished. The Bonaventura was wrecked, and a few of the seamen reached Archangel. Repeated expeditions searched for these ships, but brought meagre information of them, though a will of Gabriel Willoughby, a kinsman of Sir Hugh, attested by the latter as witness, was obtained from the Russians some years later, dated in January, 1554.