The maritime explorer Ioánnis Fokás/Juan de Fuca, …

Years: 1596 - 1596

The maritime explorer Ioánnis Fokás/Juan de Fuca, the discoverer of the Pacific Northwest straits named for him, has never received the great rewards he claims as his due, despite the repeated promises of the late Velasco.

After two years, and on the viceroy's urging, Fuca had traveled to Spain to make his case to the court in person.

Disappointed again and disgusted with the Spanish, the aging Greek had determined to retire to his home in Kefallonia but is in 1596 persuaded by an Englishman, Michael Locke, to offer his services to Spain's archenemy, Queen Elizabeth.

Nothing comes of Locke and Fokás's proposals, but it is through Locke's account that the story of Juan de Fuca enters English letters.

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