GASPAR CORTE REAL

This Portuguese explorer was born in 1450, leaving his legacy as the man who sailed to Greenland in 1500.  However, some historians also believe Real reached the North American coast of Newfoundland.  As the third son of Terceira’s governor, Real was raised well.  One of his travels took him in search of a northwest passage to Asia under the direction of King Manuel I of Portugal.  In the summer of 1500, he sailed from Lisbon, reaching Greenland that same year.  While he did not find the Northwest Passage, he did discover a land boasting beautiful, green forests.

The following year, Real headed out on his second expedition, sailing with three ships and his brother Miguel Corte Real.  Soon, two of the three ships were sent back to Portugal, which included one captained by his brother.  Along with this were 50 Native Americans, who were taken against their will.  Real with his third ship sailed to the southwest, going from Greenland and reaching the Island of Newfoundland and the coast of Labrador.

Unfortunately, Real lost his life while at sea later in 1501.  Unfortunately, the details of his expeditions are sketchy but historians believe he was well respected.  We do know that Miguel, his older brother, made a serious attempt in 1502 to find his brother but without success.  Discouraged and sad, Miguel never returned to Portugal after his rescue attempt.  Then two years later in 103, Vasco Anes Corte Real, the oldest of the three brothers, also attempted to find Gaspar Real but was never granted permission by the King.

Even the father of Gaspar Real was an explorer.  Joao Vaz Corte Real made the first voyages to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, Canada in 1472.  Because of this amazing find, the King gave him half of Terceira Island, where Joao Real built a home, still standing today.  Although the exact death of Real is uncertain, his discoveries would put a very important country on the map.  Greenland is Real’s legacy, something of which his family was proud.