John Cabot (known as Giovanni Caboto in Italy) was a great Italian navigator and explorer. He was probably born in Genoa, Italy around 1450, but he moved to Venice and that is where he most likely learned to sail.
In 1484, he moved again, this time to Bristol in England. That's when he decided to call himself John Cabot, the "English" version of his name. Like Columbus and others of his time, Cabot believed that Asia could be reached by sailing westward. Up until then, the only known way to get to Asia was by going east. Some wealthy Englishmen liked his ideas and paid for him to lead an westward expedition to Asia. They were anxious to find an easier and quicker way to bring back goods from Asia to trade in Europe.
He made his first voyage to North America (which he thought was Asia) in 1497. The ship was called the Matthew and had a crew of 18 men. He sailed northwest, through the stormy Atlantic Ocean, and eventually came to North America. He sailed along the coast, past Labrador, Newfoundland, and New England. He claimed the land he found for England. King Henry VII was pleased with his efforts and granted Cabot a pension of 20 pounds a year.
In 1498, Cabot wanted to return to find "Japan," so he organized another expedition. This time, he took four or five ships and about 300 men and left Bristol in June of 1498. No one knows for certain what happened to this expedition, but it may have sailed from Greenland southward towards Chesapeake Bay in North America. Cabot had to return to England because he was running out of supplies, and he died soon after returning.
In 1484, he moved again, this time to Bristol in England. That's when he decided to call himself John Cabot, the "English" version of his name. Like Columbus and others of his time, Cabot believed that Asia could be reached by sailing westward. Up until then, the only known way to get to Asia was by going east. Some wealthy Englishmen liked his ideas and paid for him to lead an westward expedition to Asia. They were anxious to find an easier and quicker way to bring back goods from Asia to trade in Europe.
He made his first voyage to North America (which he thought was Asia) in 1497. The ship was called the Matthew and had a crew of 18 men. He sailed northwest, through the stormy Atlantic Ocean, and eventually came to North America. He sailed along the coast, past Labrador, Newfoundland, and New England. He claimed the land he found for England. King Henry VII was pleased with his efforts and granted Cabot a pension of 20 pounds a year.
In 1498, Cabot wanted to return to find "Japan," so he organized another expedition. This time, he took four or five ships and about 300 men and left Bristol in June of 1498. No one knows for certain what happened to this expedition, but it may have sailed from Greenland southward towards Chesapeake Bay in North America. Cabot had to return to England because he was running out of supplies, and he died soon after returning.
http://library.thinkquest.org/4034/hall_of_fame.html
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