The Lost Voyage of John Cabot

Rating:
Summary: The realistic possibilities of John Cabot's voyage and crew
Review: The early explorers faced oceans of unknown terrors when they set sail to look for a shorter route to the Asian mainland. In 1492 Christopher Columbus thought he might have discovered Asia. But his rival and friend, John Cabot, felt that Columbus had not found a southern route to Asia. Based upon study, calculations and his own explorations, Cabot set out in 1497 to possibly prove his old rival wrong and to find this route himself.

When Cabot leaves Bristol, England, he takes his two sons, Ludovico and Sancio. He leaves 15-year-old Sebastian behind to care for the explorer's patient wife, Mattea. While Sebastian resents being left behind, he finds comfort in the letters he begins to receive from Sancio. The letters are filled with the long days of boredom and also some of the excitement as they embark into less explored areas. However, the letters stop abruptly and everyone is left to wonder what has happened. The only information they get comes through rumor and gossip as sailors come and go in the busy port. History sheds no light on this last voyage of John Cabot, but through the skillful storytelling skills of Henry Garfield, we catch a glimpse of what might have happened to this group of daring and brave explorers.

The letters to Sebastian from Sancio continue to be written but are not mailed, and it is this clever twist that allows readers to follow an intriguing path of the sailors' fates. Sancio, who is skilled in languages, writes to his brother that there is unrest among the men. This unrest possibly comes from two things: they feel that they have reached an Asian coastline, so it is time to return, and they are lonely for female company. "I think the sight of the native women has reminded some of the men of the loneliness of sea travel. There were two fights today." Sancio continues to assure his brother that he feels his father has discovered an important land mass from England.

"When we return to England, Sebastian, we will bring with us the certainty that a great mass of land, reachable by ship from the shores of Europe, does indeed lie in the Western Ocean. It is Father's discovery, and he will become famous for it. I daresay the world as we know it will never be the same."

The political maneuverings, the intrigues and deceptions are all captured in the rush of adventures that flow throughout this book. Henry Garfield presents a realistic picture of the possible horrors and heartbreaks that might have been experienced by Cabot's crew. Clipper ship tales are quite popular these days, and this exciting story of John Cabot's last voyage is sure to be enjoyed for its insights and wonderful historical pictures.

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts ([e-mail])