Vasco De Balboa 1493-1513

Birth of Balboa Born in Jerez De Los Caballeros, Spain in 1475.

Vasco De Balboa Father came from a poor family, so Balboa worked for a rich merchant in the coastal city of Moguer. Since many ships headed to the New World from Moguer, he often heard stories the sailors told of their voyages, and he wanted to join them. Balboa was uneducated because his family could not pay for school.

First Voyage When he was 18, Balboa sailed with Columbus on his second voyage to the New World.

Hoping to find riches in South America In 1500, Balboa sailed to South America to look for treasures. He was soon marooned on the island of Hispaniola, without even a ounce of treasure.

Unsuccessful farming After a unsuccessful farming experience on Hispaniola, Balboa got into debt and stowed away on a ship heading for the small colony of San Sebastian, South America.

Discovering an island In 1506, he discovered an island near by and named it Borinquen. (present day Puerto Rico) Balboa became the island’s governor, but he wanted more wealth and more power.

Establishing Darien In 1510, Balboa established a city called Darien, which was located in Panama. He then became governor and explored further into Panama. He conquered some of the natives, but made agreements with others.

Getting married and killing natives Balboa married the daughter of Careta, the local Indian chief. Soon after, in 1513, he sailed with hundreds of Spaniards and Indians across the Gulf of Uraba to the Darien peninsula. Balboa went through rainforest, and along the way he killed many natives and even destroyed a Indian village, killing hundreds.

Seeing the Pacific Balboa was the first European explorer to see the eastern part of the Pacific ocean. He saw it from a peak high up in Darien, Panama. Balboa then took his men and claimed the eastern Pacific and all land that touched it for Spain.

Death of Balboa Balboa was charged with treason against Spain. (although he was innocent and had been framed by a friend, Arias de Avila.) Francisco Pizarro arrested Balboa. He was found guilty and was publicly beheaded in Acla in January, 1519.