JUAN DIAZ DE SOLIS 

Born in Lebrija, Spain in 1471, Juan Diaz de Solis was born.  Becoming a Spanish navigator, Solis eventually died in 1516 in South America but not before leaving his mark on history.  For starters, Solis sailed from Cadiz in 1506 with Vicente Yafiez Pinzon, being in command of a carvel and taking the same course that Christopher Columbus took from the Island of Guanajoz when trying to find new countries.  Coming into the Gulf of Mexico, Solis discovered the Yucatan coast, along with the bay of Campeachy, known at that time as the Gulf of the Nativity.  From that vantage point, he and his crew were able to enjoy the Curia mountain range. 

The following year, Solis returned to Spain where the king appointed him, along with Collado and Amerigo Vespucci, council pilots that would reside over the king.  At that time, it was decided that the exploration of the Atlantic Coast of South America would continue.  Shortly after, Solis was appointed as commander.  Leaving in 1508 from Sevlle with two carvefs, one of the ships was commanded by Yanez Pinzon.  Heading out from Cape Verde islands, the vessels made it to Cape St. Augustine and then headed south. 

Traveling on, they recognized the coastline and stopped at a number of points taking possession of the land in the name of Spain’s king.  As a part of this ritual, crosses were erected along their journey for each land claimed.  Solis began fighting with Pinzon, making the decision to return to Spain.  For some reason, the king deemed Solis guilty, ordering him to spend time in prison.  However, he was found innocent, which resulted in him receiving 34,000 maravedis indemnity along with a number of distinctions.  In addition, when Vespucci died, Solis was granted the title of Chief Pilot over the entire kingdom. 

By 1515, Solis started another expedition, this time taking possession of South America.  In October of that same year, he also sailed from Lepe in Spain with two ships, discovering several points on the coast as he entered Rio de Janeiro.  From there, Solis sailed south where he discovered yet another island, which he named La Plata.  Heading south yet again, he came upon land in a bay, which he named Bahia de los Perdios.  On his way, he sailed past Cape Corrientes, stopping to visit the island of San Sebastian, which Solis chose to call Lobos.  Then as he came into Nuestra SerSora de la Candelaria’s port, he took possession again of the country in the name of Spain’s king. 

Soon after, Solis anchored in a wide river that he thought was an ocean arm.  Because of that, he called it Sweet Sea but when he discovered it was not a part of the ocean but an actual river, he changed its name to Solis.  Today, that same river is known as River Plate.  As one of Solis’ ships came into the river, he spotted Indians standing on the shoreline.  There, he landed with a few of his sailors, interested in capturing several of the aboriginals to bring back to Spain as a gift for the king.  However, he failed.  Being ambushed, he and boat sailors were killed where the members of his crew onboard the ship could see them being roasted and eaten.