Vasco Núñez de Balboa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vasco Núñez de Balboa
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Vasco Núñez de Balboa
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| Born | c. 1475 Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain
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| Died | January 1519 (aged c. 43–44) Acla, Panama
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| Cause of death | execution |
| Occupation | Maritime explorer for the Crown of Castile |
| Spouse(s) | María de Peñalosa |
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Vasco Núñez de Balboa (born around 1475, died January 1519) was a Spanish explorer and governor. He is famous for being the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the Americas. This happened in 1513 when he crossed the Isthmus of Panama.
Balboa traveled to the New World in 1500. After some exploring, he settled on the island of Hispaniola. In 1510, he helped found Santa María la Antigua del Darién. This was the first lasting European settlement on the mainland of the Americas.
Contents
Early Life and First Journeys
Vasco Núñez de Balboa was born in Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain. His family was part of the nobility. Not much is known about his early years. As a teenager, he served a nobleman named Don Pedro de Portocarrero.
Voyage to the Americas
In 1500, Balboa was inspired by news of Christopher Columbus's travels. He decided to join an expedition to the Americas with Juan de la Cosa and Rodrigo de Bastidas. Bastidas had permission to collect treasures for the Spanish king and queen. A portion of these treasures went to the crown.
In 1501, the expedition explored the Caribbean coasts. They traveled from eastern Panama along the Colombian coast. They went through the Gulf of Urabá and towards Cabo de la Vela. They continued exploring parts of South America. Eventually, they sailed to Hispaniola because they needed more men.
Life in Hispaniola
Balboa used his earnings from this journey to settle in Hispaniola in 1505. He tried farming and raising pigs for several years. However, he was not successful and faced financial difficulties. This led him to leave the island.
Establishing New Settlements
In 1508, the king of Spain, Ferdinand II, began to claim the region called Tierra Firme. This area is now roughly the Isthmus of Panama. The king divided it into two territories. Nueva Andalucía was to the east, led by Alonso de Ojeda. Veragua was to the west, led by Diego de Nicuesa.
A Secret Journey
In 1509, Balboa wanted to escape his debts in Santo Domingo. He secretly boarded a ship as a stowaway, hiding in a barrel with his dog, Leoncico. The ship was part of an expedition led by Martín Fernández de Enciso. Enciso's mission was to help Alonso de Ojeda.
Ojeda had founded a settlement called San Sebastián de Urabá. But the local people resisted, using poisoned weapons. Ojeda was injured and left the settlement under Francisco Pizarro's care. Pizarro was a soldier at the time. Ojeda asked Pizarro to wait for help for 50 days. If no help came, Pizarro was to return to Hispaniola.
Balboa's Influence Grows
Before reaching San Sebastián, Enciso discovered Balboa on board. Enciso first threatened to abandon him. However, he realized Balboa knew the region well from his earlier travels. The crew also asked for Balboa to stay. Enciso agreed, and Balboa's knowledge became very useful.
When Enciso's ship arrived, San Sebastián was destroyed. The local people were ready to fight. Balboa suggested moving the settlement to the Darién region. He said the soil was better there, and the local people were less resistant. Enciso agreed to this plan.
Founding Santa María la Antigua del Darién
The Spanish moved to Darién. There, the local leader, cacique Cémaco, waited with 500 warriors. The Spanish made a promise to the Virgen de la Antigua that they would name a settlement after her if they won. The battle was tough, but the Spanish were victorious.
Cémaco and his warriors left for the jungle. Balboa and his men collected golden items from the local villages. In September 1510, Balboa kept his promise. He founded Santa María la Antigua del Darién, the first permanent European settlement on the American mainland.
Leadership and Exploration
Balboa's victory and the founding of Santa María earned him respect. The settlers became unhappy with Enciso, who had strict rules about gold. Balboa became their spokesperson. He removed Enciso from his leadership role. Balboa argued that Enciso's authority was not valid in that area.
A new local government was formed, and Balboa was elected as one of the leaders. Soon, a fleet arrived looking for Governor Nicuesa. The settlers were convinced to accept Nicuesa's authority. However, Nicuesa had faced many difficulties and was in a bad state. He vowed to punish Balboa.
Balboa Becomes Governor
Some people warned Balboa that Nicuesa was not a good leader. When Nicuesa arrived at the port, a crowd prevented him from landing. Nicuesa and 17 others were forced onto a small, poorly supplied boat. They were sent out to sea on March 1, 1511, and were never seen again. This made Balboa the governor of Veragua.
Expanding Spanish Territory
As governor, Balboa had full authority in Santa María and Veragua. He quickly put Enciso on trial for taking power without permission. Enciso was briefly imprisoned and then sent back to Spain. Balboa also sent representatives to Spain to ask for more men and supplies.
Balboa continued to explore new areas. He defeated some local tribes and made friends with others. He explored rivers, mountains, and swamps, always looking for gold and expanding his territory. He managed to keep his men in line and earned respect from the local people. He wrote to the King of Spain, explaining his expeditions.
He successfully grew corn and received supplies from Hispaniola and Spain. His men became used to life as explorers. Balboa collected a lot of gold, much of it from ornaments worn by local women.
Alliances and New Discoveries
In late 1512 and early 1513, Balboa reached the lands of cacique Careta. He defeated Careta and then formed an alliance. Careta was baptized and became a key ally, promising to provide food. Balboa then moved on to the lands of Careta's rival, cacique Ponca. Ponca fled, and his village was explored for resources.
Days later, the expedition arrived in the lands of cacique Comogre. Comogre welcomed Balboa peacefully and hosted a feast. Comogre was also baptized. It was in Comogre's lands that Balboa first heard about "the other sea."
A disagreement among the Spanish over sharing gold led to a surprising revelation. Comogre's eldest son, Panquiaco, told them about a rich kingdom to the south. He said the people there used gold for everyday items. He also mentioned "the other sea" and that a large force would be needed to conquer the region.
European Discovery of the Pacific Ocean
Balboa was very interested in the news of a new, gold-rich kingdom. He returned to Santa María in early 1513 to gather more men. However, he learned that Enciso had reported his actions to the authorities. Balboa's requests for help were denied. He decided to proceed with the limited resources he had.
Using information from friendly local leaders, Balboa began his journey across the Isthmus of Panama on September 1, 1513. He had 190 Spaniards, local guides, and dogs. They sailed along the coast and landed in Careta's territory. On September 6, the expedition continued with 1,000 of Careta's men. They entered Ponca's land, defeated him, and forced an alliance.
After a few days, the expedition entered the dense jungle on September 20. Four days later, they reached the lands of cacique Torecha. A fierce battle took place, and Balboa's forces won. Torecha's followers then joined the expedition. Many men were exhausted and wounded, so some stayed in Torecha's village to rest.
Reaching the Summit
The next day, a smaller group continued with Balboa into the mountains. Local guides said the South Sea could be seen from the summit. Balboa went ahead. Before noon on September 25, he reached the top and saw the vast, unknown sea in the distance. Everyone was overjoyed. The expedition's chaplain led a prayer. The men built stone pyramids and carved crosses into trees to mark the historic spot.
Claiming the South Sea
After the discovery, the expedition descended towards the sea. They arrived in the lands of cacique Chiapes, who was defeated and then joined them. From Chiapes' land, three groups searched for routes to the coast. Alonso Martín's group reached the shoreline two days later. They took a canoe, becoming the first Europeans to navigate the Pacific Ocean off the New World coast.
Martín informed Balboa, who marched to the coast with 26 men. Once there, Balboa walked into the ocean, holding his sword and a banner of the Virgin Mary. He claimed the new sea and all its surrounding lands for the Spanish rulers.
After traveling over 110 kilometers (70 miles), Balboa named the bay where they arrived San Miguel. This was because they arrived on September 29, the feast day of Archangel Michael. He named the new sea Mar del Sur (South Sea) because they had traveled south to reach it.
Balboa then led expeditions to find the gold-rich kingdoms Panquiaco had described. He traveled through the lands of caciques Cora and Tumaco, collecting gold and pearls. He learned that pearls were plentiful in the islands ruled by Terarequí. Balboa sailed to these islands, naming the largest Isla Rica (Rich Island). He named the entire group the Pearl Islands, a name they still carry today.
In November, Balboa decided to return to Santa María by a different route. This allowed him to explore more territory and find more gold. He passed through several regions, sometimes using force and other times diplomacy. He had a difficult battle against cacique Tubanamá, whom he eventually defeated. In December, the expedition reached the Caribbean coast. From there, he headed to Comogre's lands, finding that his elderly ally had passed away. Panquiaco, Comogre's son, was now the chieftain.
The expedition arrived back in Santa María on January 19, 1514. They brought a lot of gold, pearls, and cotton goods. This treasure was significant, but the discovery of the South Sea for Spain was even more important. Balboa sent Pedro de Arbolancha to Spain with news of this great discovery. He also sent one-fifth of the treasure to the king, as required by law.
Challenges and Final Days
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The accusations from Enciso and the disappearance of Governor Ojeda led the king to appoint Pedro Arias de Ávila as the new governor of Castilla de Oro. Arias, known as Pedrarias Dávila, arrived from Spain with a large expedition of 1,500 men and 17 ships in July 1514. This was the biggest expedition to the New World at that time.
Pedrarias was accompanied by important officials, including Enciso, who was now Chief Constable. Many men faced hardship and illness soon after reaching Darién. Balboa welcomed Pedrarias and accepted his replacement as governor. However, many settlers were unhappy with the change.
Pedrarias soon had Balboa arrested and tried. Balboa was ordered to pay money to Enciso and others. He was found innocent of causing Nicuesa's disappearance and was freed. Balboa still wanted to explore the South Sea. He secretly planned to recruit men from Cuba. When Pedrarias found out, he was furious and had Balboa arrested again. Bishop de Quevedo intervened, asking Pedrarias not to punish Balboa too harshly.
Fortunately for Balboa, the Spanish Crown recognized his important services. The king gave him the titles of "Adelantado of the South Seas" and "Gobernador of Panama and Coiba". The King also told Pedrarias to treat Balboa with respect and consult him on important matters. Because of this, Pedrarias released Balboa and dropped all charges.
An Unfortunate End
The rivalry between Balboa and Pedrarias seemed to end. Bishop de Quevedo and Isabel de Bobadilla, Pedrarias' wife, helped arrange Balboa's marriage to María de Peñalosa, Pedrarias' daughter who was in Spain. The marriage happened by proxy, meaning they never met. For a short time, Balboa and Pedrarias had a good relationship.
Balboa still wanted to explore the South Sea, but Pedrarias often delayed his plans. Eventually, Pedrarias allowed Balboa to go on a new expedition for a year and a half. In 1519, Balboa moved to Acla with 300 men. Using local workers, he gathered materials to build new ships. He traveled to the Balsas River and built four ships. He explored 74 kilometers (46 miles) through the Pacific, around the Pearl Islands. He then returned to Acla to build stronger ships.
On his return, Pedrarias sent letters asking Balboa to meet him. Balboa quickly obeyed. On his way to Santa María, he was arrested by soldiers led by Francisco Pizarro. Balboa was accused of planning to take Pedrarias' power and create his own government. Balboa denied the charges and asked to be tried in Spain. However, Pedrarias ordered an immediate trial.
Balboa's trial began in January 1519. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. Four of his friends were also sentenced to the same fate. The sentence was carried out in Acla. As Balboa was led to his execution, he declared his loyalty to the King. Pedrarias watched from a hidden spot. Balboa and his four friends were executed. Their heads were displayed for several days. The exact location of Balboa's remains is unknown.
After Balboa's death, Gaspar de Espinosa sailed the South Sea using the ships Balboa had built. In 1520, Ferdinand Magellan renamed the sea the Pacific Ocean because of its calm waters.
Legacy
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Vasco Núñez de Balboa is remembered as the first European to cross the Americas and discover the Pacific Ocean. Many places in Panama are named after him. These include parks, avenues, and a monument in Panama City. The Panamanian currency is called the Balboa, and his image is on most Panamanian coins. Panama City's main port, Balboa, and the Balboa District are also named after him. Even a Panamanian beer carries his name.
In the United States, Balboa Park and Balboa High School in San Francisco, California, are named in his honor. There is also a large Balboa Park in San Diego, California. In Madrid, Spain, a street and a metro station bear his name.
The Panamanian government awards the Orden Vasco Núñez de Balboa to distinguished individuals. This is one of the highest honors in the country. The lunar crater Balboa on the Moon was also named after him.
Vasco Núñez de Balboa was featured on a 1-cent stamp for the Panama-Pacific Exposition in 1913. This stamp was widely used.
SENAN's Base Naval Vasco Núñez de Balboa in Panama City is named for Balboa. In 2020, a large solar power plant in Spain, the Núñez de Balboa Photovoltaic Power Plant, was named after him.
See also
In Spanish: Vasco Núñez de Balboa para niños
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