The Journal of an Explorer

May 18, 1497 We set out from Bristol today. I’m lucky to have this job. An orphaned girl, only 13 years old doesn’t get a job on a boat often. Of course, they don’t know I’m a girl. I’m not proud of dressing like a boy but it was the only way I could be this on voyage.

June 13, 1497 Captain John Cabot has requested to see me in his cabin. I’m scared I’ve been discovered. Maybe he’ll toss me into the sea. Girls aren’t allowed on boats. It’s considered bad luck. Nonsense if you ask me. June 15, 1497 Captain Cabot hasn’t found me out. He said that I’m a good sailor. He told me that I was welcome on his next voyages. I thanked him and told him I wanted to sail more. He just sent me away.

May 31, 1497 Harsh weather today. Rough seas. Some of the crew got seasick, not me. We’d be lost if it weren’t for the compass. I don’t know how it works, but the crew says it’s an invention that will change the world.

June 7, 1497 Stormy today. 3 crew members were lost. Some men have refused to come out of their cabins. I’ve seen Captain Cabot pacing his cabin. He’s worried. Funding from the king is important, we have to find something.

March 30, 1499 Just found this old diary. I stopped recording my voyage just after we landed in New Found Land. New Found Land is now a trading port. Good since people are becoming wealthy because of it. I do wonder if this will make people explore more. Who knows what’s in the future? We’ve just been hearing about someone named Vasco da Gama who wants to explore now. So long journal! This is the documentation of my first voyage with Captain John Cabot.

June 17, 1497 We sighted land. Captain Cabot has called it New Found Land. Not imaginative if you ask me. The crew’s jubilant. I even saw Captain Cabot smile, which doesn’t happen much.

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