Cabot, Sebastian

Cabot, Sebastian (1474-1557), sailor, b. Venice, Italy.

Sebastian, son of John Cabot, went on his father's voyage to America at the age of twelve.

In 1508 he sailed in command of an English ship to search for a North-West Passage from the Atlantic to China. Pack ice drove him back and he explored the coast of North America.

Later, he made voyages of exploration for Spain, but, in 1548, he returned to England.

King Edward VI gave him a post with the Company of Merchant Adventurers for the Discovery of Regions Unknown.

He probably helped to plan many voyages of exploration including the voyage to Russia of Sir Hugh Willoughby and Richard Chancellor in 1553.

See Eric N Simons Into Unknown Waters: John and Sebastian Cabot