Cabot, leaving the two larger ships at…
1527 CE
Cabot, leaving the two larger ships at San Salvador, sails up the Paraná River in the brigantine and a galley constructed at Santa Catarina.
Ascending the Parana and Paraguay rivers, Cabot is impressed by the silver ornaments of the Indians, and this may account for the names Rio de la Plata ("Silver River") and Argentina ("silvery").
His party constructs a small fort called Santo or Espíritu Santo at the confluence of the Paraná and the Río Carcarañá.
This is the first Spanish settlement in present-day Argentina; the town of Cabot will later be constructed nearby and named in his honor.
Losing eighteen men to an ambush, Cabot returns to San Salvador, passing as he goes the expedition of Diego García de Moguer, who had taken part in the old voyage of Solís.
They discuss the validity of exclusive navigation rights on the river, but finally agree to return to the fort, join forces, request Spanish aid and embark on a second expedition against the White King.