The search for the Northwest passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans was an important aim for explorers between the 16th and 19th centuries. The discovery of such a route would enable shipping to avoid the dangerous and lengthy passage through the Magellan Straits of South America. Henry Ellis was hired by a mercantile company in 1746-7 seeking to discover such a passage. Although his mission was a failure, Ellis published an account of the voyage in 1748. The book was split into three parts; early explorations prior to 1746, the voyage of 1746-7, and scientific information as to the likelihood of the existence of the passage between the two oceans.