Discovering America Podcast

The Spanish were trying to keep what was theirs, not an easy task. Pedro would start off from the eastern coast of North America and rediscover the lands that Ferdinand de Soto explored 25 years earlier. The Indians were nice enough to supply the food that the Spaniards needed every step of the way but, where is the shiny stuff?

Ribault acted hastily against the Spanish and it didn't help that his fleet encountered a storm that destroyed them. The Spanish would eliminate the French from America for the time being. But in the wake of this atrocity against the French Dominique de Gourgues would gather ships and men together to save the grace of France. Forgive and forget not this time.

After the clashing of swords stopped it was time to sail west but this time it would be to establish a colony for the sake of religion. Admiral de Coligny would choose Jean Ribaut to command and establish a French Protestant (Huguenots) colony on the land called Florida. The Spanish would not take kindly to this "invasion". The Spanish commander Pedro Menendez would have the last word and not at all respectably. Can't we all just get along?

With the war between France and Spain finally over, five years had passed since his last voyage. The Indians he had promised to return to their homeland within twelve moons had all passed away except a 12 year old girl who was now their interpreter. The king put Sieur de Roberval in charge of this third voyage but, he wasn't ready to sail. So Cartier sailed off with five ships on May 23, 1541. After spending time with the Indians and the new chief, Cartier loaded the ship with diamonds and gold which turned out to be quartz crystals and mica, and sailed back to France. If only I knew my minerals.

Cartier and his small band of men made their way to the village of Hochelaga and received a wonderful welcome. The Indians insisted that they should climb to the top of Mount Royal and see something they were very proud of, the Frenchmen accommodated the request. What they saw below was the flowing fields of corn and the Indian village of Hochelaga, a place that would become the site of Montreal, Canada. The Indians and the French would endure the winter but, with it came the loss of many lives. The "scurvy" would take its toll upon them. The French finally make their way back to the homeland.

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.