Giovanni da Verrazzano (also spelled Giovanni
da Verrazano) explored the east coast of what is now the United
States in 1525. He is best known for being the discoverer of
New York Harbor and for mistaking the estuary of the Pamlico Sound
for the beginning of the Pacific Ocean.
Verrazzano had been provided with four ships, but two of them
shipwrecked shortly after departure, while a third one was sent
home carrying the prizes from privateering on the Spanish coast,
so only the flagship La Dauphine actually |