Hudson's first ship was the ship Hopewell, sometimes called Hope-Well or Hopeful. This was his first voyage and his aim was to discover a sea route across the North Pole, to Japan and China. Peter Plancius, Dutch Geographer and Calvinist clergyman, believed pole region grew suddenly warmer due to 5 months of constant sunshine. Hudson agreed and believed that by sailing north he would be able to navigate through open sea's across the pole.

During January a meeting of the directors occured and Rev. Richard Hakulyt recommended Hudson as the leader of the expedition. Assuring the directors of the company that Hudson is a qualified and experienced sea-man, plus they were told that Hudson had in his possesion secret information that will enable him to find the North-East passage.The secret information was probably the 80 year old pamphlet called "Thorne's Plan" by Robert Thorne.

Hudson visited Hakluyt in his latter library and examined charts. Hakulyt showed Hudson a letter to him by the Rev. Samuel Purchas, who also believed in a route through the pole as well as both a North-East and North-West route.

Hudson argued over the factors of the companys over the agreed payment of 100 pounds. He wanted more cash and after bribing he got 130 pounds and 5 shillings more. The company chooses to sail the Hopewell, a three year old, square-rigged 80 ton ship with three masts.

A few weeks passed when finally the ship set sail from London on the 23rd of April. Bad weather delays them from getting much farther for the first week. When the 1st of May arrived the weather finnaly cleared, and the ship leaves Gravesend, at the mouth of the Thames. Nothing really happened until the 26th came that was when they found the Shetland Islands. Hudson sails from the Islands North-West instead of due North which the company directed him to do. 4 days later the crew noticed there compass needle was deflected and believed there was an evil spell on the voyage and would end with disaster. Hudson struggled to steer his crew away from mutiny, and luckily he succeeded

After six weeks of sailing, on the 13th of June they spot Greenland. Around Mid-June Winds coming in from the East bring snow and cold weather. The Hopewell hugs the Greenland coast as the rigging freezes and because of heavy fog, eye-sight drops to zero. Even though these conditions were dire Hudson blindy sails ahead. The weather finally cleared on the 20th and Hudson decides to sail North-East away from Greenland to find "Newland".  Ice conetinues to force Hudson North-East and the ship finally reaches the western shores of Spitzbergen Island.

The Hopewell arives in a great inlet which was almost a bay says Hudson. A sea setting the Hopewell upon some ice brings the crew danger, but a small gale of wind saves them. Hudson reaches an island to the North-East, Hudson calls the land Collin's Cape after the boatswain who first sought it. The 15th the Hopewell continues sailing North-East along the coast with barely any wind and fairly humid weather. After sailing for awhile the Hopewell becomes surrounded by ice, Hudson attempts to get closer to land. They look to the North-East but they are blocked. Hudson writes in his journal, he believes there is no passage through the North Pole.

The Hopewell journeys down the coast South-West to Collin's Cape. Hudson turns around and starts sailing North-West again. Hudson barely avoids a crash with a stray iceberg. Hudson gets all the crew to row as hard as they could to avoid it, Hudson changes direction and heads South-East. After noticing how little of good weather Hudson still had Hudson changed is direction and finally decided to sail back to England. In August he arives near home at the Faroe islands. One month later Hudson's search finally ended when he was safely back home in England.

During the Winter that followed Hudson dedicated himself to another voyage.