Jacob Le Maire and Willem Schouten discovered the strait in 1616, while attempting to find a navigation link between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and shortly before their discovery of Cape Horn the strait was later named in honour of Le Maire.
From Prevost, Abbe. Histoire générale des voyages : ou, Nouvelle collection de toutes les relations de voyages par mer et par terre qui ont été publiées jusqu’à présent dans les différentes langues de toutes les.. Paris
References:
Sabin, J. A Dictionary of Books Relating to America, from its Discovery to the Present Time. New York. (1936) 1967. 65403.
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 p.241.
Phillips, P. A List of Geographical Atlases in the Library of Congress. Washington 1973 5991.
Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 6058912
Library of Congress Washington D.C.: 05041509
State Library New South Wales: RB/DQ909.8A
Bibliotheque Nationale de France: Identifier: ark:/12148/bpt6k201024v
State Library Victoria: RARESF 910.8 P929H