grand coulee washington

Spanish explorers Bruno Heceta (Hezeta y Dudagoita) and Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, sailing north from Mexico, explored the coast of Washington in 1775.
On July 12, 1775, a small group lands at the future Grenville Bay and claims the Pacific Northwest for Spain. Later that day seven of Heceta's crewmen become the first Europeans to die in the future state of Washington when they are killed by Quinault warriors while attempting to land. Heceta names the place Punta de los Martires (Point of the Martyrs). The two vessels  continue north. On the return trip, on August 17, 1775, Heceta maps the Washington coast including the mouth of the Columbia River, but does not enter the Great River.