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