John Cabot: The English King's Italian Navigator

Second Voyage
May 1498

Cabot wanted to travel south of his first voyage in the hope of proving that he had reached the north of Asia and that China was near. Some people today believe he planned to start a colony as well. The king gave permission and five ships left Bristol in May 1498.

John Cabot died during his second voyage, but no one knows how. Of the five ships, it is believed that at least one or two must have returned to England. What happened to the others is a mystery. They may have sunk in a storm or some other disaster.