 The earliest exploration of North Carolina by a European expedition is likely that of Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524.An Italian from Verrazzano in the province of Florence, Verrazzano was hired by French merchants in order to procure a sea route to bring silk to the city of Lyon.With the tacit support of King Francis I, Verrazzano sailed west on January 1, 1524, aboard his ship "La Dauphine" ahead of a flotilla that numbered three ships.