John Rut facts for kids
John Rut was an English sailor and explorer from Essex. He lived in the early 1500s. Henry VIII, the King of England, chose Rut to lead an important journey. The goal was to find a new sea route to Asia by sailing around North America. This route was called the Northwest Passage.
Contents
The Journey Begins
In 1527, John Rut started his big adventure. He left Plymouth, England, on June 10. He had two ships: the Samson and the Mary Guilford. Rut was the captain of the Mary Guilford. The journey was planned by Cardinal Wolsey and a merchant named Robert Thorne.
Crossing the Atlantic
As they sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, a big storm hit. The two ships got separated. Sadly, people believe the Samson was lost at sea during the storm.
In early July, the Mary Guilford ran into a lot of ice. Because of the ice, they had to turn south. They reached the coast of Labrador, near a place called St. Lewis Inlet. They explored this area for a while.
Arrival in Newfoundland
Later in July, the Mary Guilford sailed towards St. John's. They arrived in St. John's harbour on August 3, 1527. This was a busy place! Rut and his crew saw many other ships there. They reported seeing eleven fishing boats from Normandy, one from Brittany, and two from Portugal.
A Letter from the New World
While in St. John's, John Rut wrote a letter to King Henry VIII. This was the first known letter sent from North America in English! In his letter, Rut told the King what he had found. He also shared his plans to sail south and look for the Samson.
Part of his letter said:
Pleasing your Honourable Grace to heare of your servant John Rut with all his company here in good health thanks be to God.
He finished the letter by saying:
...the third day of August we entered into a good harbour called St. John and there we found Eleuen Saile of Normans and one Brittaine and two Portugal barks all a fishing and so we are ready to depart towards Cap de Bras that is 25 leagues as shortly as we have fished and so along the Coast until we may meete with our fellowe and so with all diligence that lyes in me toward parts to that Ilands that we are command at our departing and thus Jesu save and keepe you Honourable Grace and all your Honourable Reuer. In the Haven of St. John the third day of August written in hast 1527, by your servant John Rut to his uttermost of his power.
Sailing South
After leaving Newfoundland, the Mary Guilford sailed south. They were looking for warmer places. They explored the east coast of North America. They sailed past the Chesapeake Bay and all the way to Florida. This made the Mary Guilford the first English ship known to have sailed that far south along the American coast.
John Rut returned to England the next year, in 1528. After that, there are no more records of him. His journey was an important part of early English exploration in North America.
See also
In Spanish: John Rut para niños
