Joao Fernandes | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Joao Fernandes

Joao Fernandes, explorer (flourished 1486-1505). A Portuguese of the Azores, he had traded with Bristol from 1486. He likely sailed with John CABOT in 1498 as a pilot. Cabot's ship went down, but Fernandes returned with charts of discoveries around Greenland and Newfoundland.

Fernandes, Joao

Joao Fernandes, explorer (flourished 1486-1505). A Portuguese of the Azores, he had traded with Bristol from 1486. He likely sailed with John CABOT in 1498 as a pilot. Cabot's ship went down, but Fernandes returned with charts of discoveries around Greenland and Newfoundland. It is thought that the name Labrador derives from Fernandes's discoveries; he was likely the labrador ("landowner") of the Azores referred to in contemporary documents. He may later have taken part in the voyages of the CORTE-REAL brothers.