Discovering America Podcast

Supported by the excited King of France, Cartier would sail for another go of it, looking for that northwest passage.  Among the three ships would be the two Indian interpreters, Taignoagny and Domagaya taken from their village on the first voyage. The group would arrive at the Indian village of Stadacrone. From here the French desired to sail to the village of Hochelaga. The chief Donnacona of Stadacrone did not want them to leave. But we have so much to see, please let us go.

Happy Holidays to you and see you next year with more of the Discovering America podcast

In two ships and 60 men, a Frenchman from St. Malo, Jacques Cartier sails west to the fishing grounds searching for the western passage.  Along the way he meets up with friendly natives, walruses and polar bears.   The first voyage would pass through the Strait of Belle Isle, along the southern coast of Newfoundland and hit varies points and capes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.  The weather would be changing soon and not equipped for winter, the ships sailed home.  No passage but, we did taste bear meat.

John Rut’s early voyages were picking up wine for the King of England at Bordeaux.  In 1527 with Rut in command, two ships, the Mary Guildford and the Samson headed for the coast of Newfoundland.  The Samson and all aboard would be lost in a storm.  The Mary Guildford later entered a good harbor called St. Johns where several fishing vessels from different countries were present.  Soon after an English ship sailed into the Caribbean, same ship, you decide.

The season was starting to change from here on out they experienced rough weather.  Finally the ships arrived back at the islands they named San Lucas.  Winter quarters would be set up on the island of La Posesion, later renamed to Juan Rodriquez after the death of Cabrillo.  The voyage would continue and give a glimpse of the western coast of North America so that others could follow.

Starting with a little background history concerning the exploits on pacific side of Mexico to the bottom part of California, this episode begins the voyage of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and his two ships, the San Salvador and the Victoria, sailing off from the Puerto de Navidad on June 27, 1542.

Columbus thought he had discovered a passage to the orient and so the maps of the day showed his discoveries as islands.  It would be the voyage of Vespucci sailing down the eastern side of South America that would cause so much interest.  The map makers labeled the land we know as Brazil with the name “Mundus Novus” or “New World”.  With the refinements of charts and maps the New World took on the name “America”.

The fourth voyage to the west did not turn out to be of any great importance. Being left behind by the captain, Vespucci and the men that remained would catch birds with their hands and build a fortress.  The fifth and sixth voyages of Vespucci were not intended to be expeditions of discovery, nope..  load those ships with gold and pearls.

This voyage would change how the world was viewed, Mundus Novus or “New World” but, who cares, where is that passage to the orient? If you would like to read the letters of Vespucci you can find them at: http://mith.umd.edu/eada/html/display.php?docs=vespucci_letters.xml

Three ships commanded by Juan de Ojeda along with the great pilot Juan de La Cosa and Amerigo Vespucci would sail off for parts unknown, well not quite.  Please join me for what is considered the second voyage of Vespucci.

How could I talk about the discovery of America without involving this man, Amerigo Vespucci?  His history relies so much on two letters written to a friend.  He mentions a book that would cover the accounts of his voyages, a book never written?  Or just never published and remains in someone’s deep dark cellar?  You can find the letter describing his first voyage at http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1497vespucci-america.asp

Why should the Spanish have all the fun?  Other European Nations started exploring to the west to rediscover the lands in that direction.  The passage to the orient would be the prize.

The voyages by Ayllon, Gomez and Verrazzano made it possible to map, describe inhabitants and certain features along the eastern coast of the North America continent.  The Europeans now had a great basis of knowledge but, still no passage to the orient was discovered.

After setting up winter quarters, building the ships was the next priority.  O wait, maybe not, what about the Indian tribes massing an army preparing to attack the Spanish.  One tribe points the finger at another when all is said and done, the Spanish end up siding with Guachoya tribe.  With that complete all is well, not so fast, the Quigaltam tribe across the Mississippi will have the last word.  Now it’s a race to get away from them.  Get me home..

Moscoso is now the new commander of the expedition of Florida.  The journey west does not turn up any of the riches that this whole endeavor was supposed to accomplish.  Evidence to back up the rumor of other Spanish farther west was not found.  So to backtrack through the country just traveled seemed the best alternative.  Homeward bound..

The Spanish army is making their way through the state of Arkansas.  They will pass by many villages, not without conflict.  The army set up winter quarters in the village of Autiamque.  They would lose a vital member and soon after another.  The quest for gold is no longer, let’s build some ships and go home.

The army is traveling along the Mississippi where he meets up with two chiefs Casqui and Pacaha.   The Spanish get caught up again with animosities between the two tribes.  De Soto is able to leave on friendly terms, the two tribes, I’m not so sure but, de Soto did his best to bring them together.  And the search for gold continues.

The army is breaking up winter camp located at the village of Chickasaw.  They started off in a northwesterly direction marching through the state of Mississippi.  After a few fights with the natives along the way, the Spanish feasted their eyes upon the great Mississippi River.  What a swim this is going to be.

The great battle between the warriors of chief Tuscaloosa and the Spanish army.   After leaving the village in ashes they traveled to the village of Chickasaw to winter the army.  Does anyone around here have a ticket back to New Spain?  I am ready to go home.

The travels of de Soto and his Army through the states of North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.  They would cover so much ground and meet so many different tribes.