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John Cabot Facts

John Cabot Facts
John Cabot was a Venetian explorer who is credited with discovering the North American coast in 1497 while under commission of England's Henry VII. Only the Norse are believed to had visited before, in the 11th century. He was born Giovanni Caboto in 1450 in either the Republic of Genoa or the Kingdom of Naples. John began engaging in maritime trade in approximately 1476. He moved to Spain to escape debtors and then to London to seek funding for an Atlantic expedition. King Henry VII gave John and his three sons the right to explore in the name of England.
Interesting John Cabot Facts:
John Cabot made arrangements for the expedition in Bristol.
John Cabot set off on his first voyage in 1496 but turned back due to poor crew, short supplies, and bad weather.
In 1497 John Cabot set off again on a second expedition. He sailed aboard the Matthew, named after his wife Matea, in a more northerly route than had been taken before by Christopher Columbus. Columbus had found islands further south and mistakenly claimed them to be India.
On June 24, 1497 John Cabot discovered Newfoundland. He planted a banner on shore in the name of the king and returned to his ship to sail along the coast for another four weeks.
Upon return to England John Cabot was treated like a hero, with cash and a pension.
In 1498 John Cabot set sail again with five ships but his ships and crew were all lost at sea.


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