N. de Morena facts for kids

N. de Morena or N. de Morera was a European ship pilot who sailed with the famous explorer Sir Francis Drake. This happened during Drake's big trip around the world from 1577 to 1580. Most people, including a writer from that time named Fray Juan de Torquemada, called him N. de Morena or Morera.

In 1579, N. de Morena became very sick. He was left behind in a place called New Albion, which is thought to be somewhere in present-day California. After he got better, he started a long journey on foot. He walked all the way to Mexico, which was known as New Spain back then.

His amazing walk means he was probably the first European to ever see the beautiful San Francisco Bay. It's also believed that his journey might have accidentally started a wrong idea. For a long time, people thought that California was an island, not connected to the mainland. This idea might have come from his travels. There are only a few old writings that mention him, and they usually use the name "N. de Morena."

Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage

Sir Francis Drake was a very well-known English explorer and privateer. A privateer was like a pirate, but they had permission from their government to attack enemy ships. Drake's journey from 1577 to 1580 was the second time someone had sailed all the way around the world. This trip was full of adventure and discovery.

The Golden Hind Ship

Drake's most famous ship was called the Golden Hind. It was a medium-sized sailing ship that carried him and his crew across vast oceans. This ship helped Drake explore new lands and claim them for England. It was a very important part of his historic voyage.

Left Behind in New Albion

In 1579, Drake's ships reached a place on the west coast of North America. They called this area New Albion. It's believed to be near what is now California. While they were there, N. de Morena became very ill. Because of his sickness, he was left behind by Drake's crew.

A Long Walk to Mexico

After N. de Morena recovered from his illness, he faced a huge challenge. He decided to walk south, aiming for New Spain (Mexico). This was an incredibly long and difficult journey. He would have traveled through many different landscapes and faced many dangers.

First European to See San Francisco Bay

During his long walk, N. de Morena likely passed by the area of San Francisco Bay. This means he was probably the first European to ever lay eyes on this famous bay. It's a very important moment in the history of exploration in North America.

The "Island of California" Idea

N. de Morena's journey might have also led to a misunderstanding about California. For many years, maps showed California as a separate island. This idea was wrong, but it was believed for a long time. It's possible that N. de Morena's travels, and how he described the land, helped create this mistaken belief.

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