Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Discoverer of the Pacific Ocean from the
west coast of Central America, born in Spain, 1475, either at
Badajoz or at Jerez de los Caballeros; died at Darien, 1517. He
went to Central America, in 1500 with Rodrigo de Bastidas and
thence, in secret, with Martín Fernández de Enciso to Cartagena.
The story that he got aboard either in an empty barrel or
wrapped up in a sail may be true. He soon assumed an important
role among the participants of the expedition, and settled
Darien in 1509. Then he proclaimed himself governor, and sent
both Enciso and Nicuesa away. From Darien he undertook, with a
few followers, the hazardous journey across the isthmus that led
to the discovery of the Pacific Ocean. 25 September, 1513, and
established beyond all doubt the continental nature of America.
The appointment in 1514 of Pedrarias Dávila as governor of the
regions discovered and partly occupied by Balboa, and his
appearance on the coast of Darien with a large armament, at once
gave rise to trouble. Ari