PACIFIC EXPLORATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 12, 15 January 1929, Page 6

PACIFIC EXPLORATION.

"Lee-Fore-Brace" saye Del Cano, Magellan's successor, was a soldier, not a seaman. Nelson , * Encyclopaedia describes him thus: "Spanish navipator, who took part in Magellan's voyage round Cape Horn, and on his death assumed command of the expedition." No mere soldier could have assumed the command of such a> navigation, one of the most dangerous under* taken. Cano was a Spanish Basque; the Basques have ever been accounted the best sailors in the Spanish navy. Your correspondent says Dampier was born at Ghent of Belgian parentage and was not an Englishman. I do not know how he can ear this. The same authority (Nelson's Encyclopaedia) says Dampier was an "English seaman and buccaneer, born at East Coker, Somersetshire.', The Penny Cyclopaedia (old, but reliable), says he was born of a Somersetshire family. JOHN D. LECKIK. Your correspondent "Lee-Fore-Braee* will get the men of "Zummerzet" down upon him. Dampier, the explorer, was born at Brutou, Somersetshire, where his family have beta landowners since the days of the Normans, and the family still own the'land. He was educated at Bruton Grammar School, but ran away to Bristol and boarded a vessel foreign bound. SOMERSET ALSO.