Niño brothers facts for kids
The Niño Brothers were a family of skilled sailors from Moguer, a town in Spain. They were known for their important role in Christopher Columbus's first trip across the Atlantic Ocean. This journey is often seen as the moment Europeans first discovered the lands that would become known as the Americas. The Niño brothers also joined Columbus on other trips to the New World.
Contents
The Niño Brothers and Columbus's First Voyage
The three main Niño brothers were Pedro Alonso, Francisco, and Juan. Pedro's son, Bartolomé, was also a sailor. They were already very experienced sailors before Columbus's first trip to the New World.
Their friendship with the Pinzón Brothers helped them join Columbus's plan. The Pinzón Brothers were very respected sailors. Their involvement helped convince other sailors in the area to join the risky journey. The Niño Brothers also helped get support from the people of Moguer for the trip.
On Columbus's first voyage in 1492:
- Pedro Alonso Niño was the pilot of the Santa María ship. A pilot helps steer the ship and navigate.
- Juan Niño was the master of La Niña. He also owned this ship. The master is in charge of the ship and its crew.
- Francisco Niño is thought to have been a sailor on La Niña.
The Niños also took part in Columbus's second and third voyages. Between 1499 and 1501, they went on their own journey. They traveled with merchants to the Gulf of Paria in what is now Venezuela. This area is on the mainland of South America.
Pedro Alonso Niño was later named the chief pilot of the Ocean Sea (the Atlantic) by the Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. This was a reward for his service. He also taught Prince John, the son of Ferdinand and Isabella, how to make maps.
The Niño Family Sailors
It can be tricky to know every detail about the Niño family, especially for Columbus's first voyage. Records from that time are often incomplete. Sometimes, two people with the same name might have been mixed up. However, we know a lot about their important roles.
The Main Niño Brothers
- Juan Niño was the oldest brother. He was the master and owner of the La Niña caravel (a type of sailing ship) on Columbus's first voyage. After they returned, he went with Columbus to Barcelona. Juan was also on Columbus's second and third voyages. He traveled to the Gulf of Paria with his brother Pedro Alonso.
- Pedro Alonso Niño was born in Moguer around 1468. He started sailing when he was young, learning his skills off the coast of Africa. In 1492, he was the pilot of the Santa María on Columbus's first trip. He sailed with Columbus again in 1494. He was given the title of Grand Pilot of the Indies. Between 1495 and 1496, he captained several ships to the New World. In 1499, he teamed up with the Guerra merchants. They sailed to the Gulf of Paria and found many pearls. They explored the coast, trading with and sometimes fighting local people. Pedro Alonso died in 1502 while returning to Spain.
- Francisco Niño was the youngest brother. He is believed to have been a sailor on Columbus's first voyage. He was the pilot of La Niña on the second voyage. He also piloted the caravel Santa Cruz on another expedition. At the time of his death, he was a mayor in Puerto Cortés, Honduras.
Other Family Members
- Cristóbal Pérez Niño was the master of the caravel Caldera on Columbus's second voyage. He is thought to be another brother of the three main Niño Brothers.
- Alonso Pérez Niño was Juan Niño's son. He traveled on Columbus's second voyage. He died about 30 years later in Trinidad, fighting with the Caribes.
- Bartolomé Pérez Niño was Pedro Alonso Niño's son. He was probably on Columbus's second voyage, possibly as a pilot. He was definitely on Columbus's third voyage and with Pedro Alonso Niño on the trip to Paria.
- Francisco Niño (another one!) was Pedro Alonso Niño's son. He was the youngest person to travel with Columbus to the East Indies. He was only 14 years old and worked as a cabin boy on the second voyage. In 1516, he crossed the Atlantic again as an officer.
- Andrés Niño was Juan Niño's son. He was named Royal Pilot of the Southern Sea (the Pacific Ocean) in 1514. He sailed in 1519 to explore the Pacific coast of Central America. He died in 1525 in what is now El Salvador.
See also
In Spanish: Hermanos Niño para niños
