We know that Champlain had gone to the "Sault" in 1603, but he makes no mention of the site of Montreal in his account. However, with regard to the year of 1611, he gives us many interesting details.
From these excerpts from the account of 1603 we may, therefore, sum up the following conclusions: (1) that (according to Laverdière) the place where Champlain "came to an anchor on the North Shoare over against one small island," was the little island formerly existing opposite the Place Royale (which was not, however, named till 1611) and now joined to the main land by the present harbour piers; (2) that incidentally he thus indicates the site of the present harbour of Montreal; that Champlain was the first to note that Montreal, or Hochelaga, was an island, this being deduced from his description of the great island (not named by him) "on the north side which continueth some fifteen leagues in length and almost as much in breadth," etc; (3) that the "mountain neere the said Sault which discovereth farre into the country" is the same as that named by Jacques Cartier as Mount Royal while "the Little River which falleth from the said mountain into the lake" is the Rivière des Prairies; (4) that while he gives no names beyond that of Sault yet he has left us a very clear indication that he was familiar with the site of the present Island of Montreal. From the above quotations there is no explicit mention of the suitability of the Island of Montreal as a future trading post, yet there is little doubt but that Champlain had it in his mind as such when the occasion should serve.
Sketch of Sault St. Louis (Kahnawake) and part of the south shore of the Island of Montreal made by Champlain in 1611
A--Piece of land which I ordered to be cleared. B--Small pond. C--Small island where I had a stone wall erected. D--Small stream where barques are lying. E--Prairies where Indians encamp when coming to this country. F--Mountains seen at a distance. G--Small pond. H--Mount Royal. I--Small stream. L--The "Saut." M--Place where the Indians from the north begin their "portage." N--Place where one of our men and an Indian were drowned. O--Small, rocky island. P--Other small island where birds build their nests. Q--"Heron" Island. R--Other islands of the "Saut." S--Small island. T--Round Islet. V--Other islet, half of which is covered with water. W--Other islet where water fowls are found. Y--Prairies. Z--Small river. 2--Rather fine and large island. 3--Places which appear bare at low water and where the current is very strong. 4--Prairies covered with water (swamps). 5--Rather low and marshy land. 6--Other small island. 7--Small rocks. S--Helen's Island. 9--Small island barren of trees. 10--Marshes in the "Grand Saut."