Balboa was born in Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain. His father, though perhaps a nobleman, had neither influence nor wealth. Young Vasco served in the household of a rich nobleman in Moguer, a port on Spain's southwest coast. After Christopher Columbus reached America in 1492, many ships heading for the New World took on sailors and supplies at Moguer. Sailors who returned to the port from America often told stories about what they had seen in the new lands across the sea. His Achievment 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. His Death Pedrarias, being convinced that Balboa wanted to establish a government of his own on the west coast, had him arrested and tried for treason. Under pressure of Pedrarias Balboa was convicted and sentenced to death, and on January 21, 1519 Balboa was beheaded.
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