Explorers ships

European Explorers

  • Prince Henry the Navigator
    Mar 4, 1394

    Prince Henry the Navigator

    He never sailed on any of the voyages that he had sponsored. He died on November 13th 1460. The Navigator was a Portugese explorer.
  • John Cabot
    Jan 1, 1450

    John Cabot

    John was the first European since the Vikings to explore the mainland of North America. He also believed that Asia could be reached by sailing west. Cabot died in 1499, the exact day and month is unknown. He was an English explorer.
  • Christopher Columbus
    Jan 1, 1451

    Christopher Columbus

    Columbus was the first European since the Vikings to "discover" the New World. He became a sailor in his early teen years. Christopher died on May 20th 1506. He was a Spanish explorer.
  • Amerigo Vespucci
    Mar 18, 1454

    Amerigo Vespucci

    North America and South America were named after Vespucci. Amerigo died from malaria on February 22nd 1512. He was a Spanish explorer.
  • Francisco Pizzaro
    Jan 1, 1475

    Francisco Pizzaro

    Pizzaro conqured the Inca Empire, he was also the founder of Peru. He died in 1541, the exact day and month are unknown. Francisco was a Spanich Explorer.
  • Vasco Nunez Balboa
    Jan 15, 1475

    Vasco Nunez Balboa

    Balboa was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from its eastern shore. He was beheaded on January 12th 1519. He was a Spanish explorer.
  • Hernando Cortez
    Jan 1, 1485

    Hernando Cortez

    Cortez led attacks against Tenochtitlan. Cortez also defeated the Aztec Empire. He died on December 2nd 1547. Cortez was a Spanish explorer.
  • Jacques Cartier
    Dec 31, 1491

    Jacques Cartier

    Cartier discovered the St. Lawrence River. He also studied navigation in Dieppe. Jacques died on September 1st 1557. He was a French explorer.
  • Sir Francis Drake
    Jan 1, 1540

    Sir Francis Drake

    Sir Francis Drake defeated the Spanish Armada. He first started off in ship trading. He died on January 27th 1596. Drake was an English Exploer.
  • Father Jacques Marquette

    Father Jacques Marquette

    Father Marquette was on the expedition that led to the discovery of the Mississippi River. He died on May 18th 1675. He was a French explorer.