January 1, 1524

Today is finally the day. The day I set sail to find a route to Asia by passing the New World. I have gathered and accumulated much knowledge from John Cabot and explorers that went before me. I formulated my own voyage and route based upon what I have learned. I had to gain financial support in order for me to embark on my voyage. Last year I had letters sent to a group of Florentine bankers and merchants to organize financial support for my voyage. These backers were very interested in finding silk from Asia for their textile factories in Lyon, so they greatly supported my voyage.
Having gained much support for my voyage, all I had left to do was get the support of King Francois I. I informed him of my plans and he agreed to support me on my voyage. I plan to report directly to the king on the return voyage. Now, after finally getting everything I need for my journey I have never felt more prepared. In a few hours we will depart from France with a fleet of four ships. I have good hopes for this voyage.

February, 19, 1524

Dear Diary,
It’s been 2 months into my journey to find a route to Asia. Luckily none of my crew has caught scurvy yet, though our Caravel is starting to collect too much water in the bilge. Depending on if we avoid any storms the build up will not be fatal to the ship.
The crew is losing enthusiasm as we havn’t discovered any land yet, which isn’t helping. It’s probably time to start a new shanty or start a new dance to get them rowing fast enough to make adequate use of the sail and wind blowing westward.
Earlier today I saw dark clouds rising upon the horizon, and I’m hoping that they will disperse before the storm comes. The barometer levels are regular, but not for long.
All there is to do is watch and pray.

March 14, 1524

Dear Diary,
While seeking a harbor to dock our ship, we came upon the natives of the country, at first they came out of the brush slowly then quickly returned in hiding until their curiosity got to them. Most of them either wore a little piece of animal hide over their privy, or something like that made with grass or feathers, other than that they were naked. They had lean muscular bodies, and were very tan, they seemed to marvel at our whiteness. They seemed nimble and sharp of mind, much like the people of China. After a bit they seemed greatly excited and came to our ship with all kinds of victuals to eat.
The shore was covered with sand, little rocks were seen, and the sand eventually lead up to a hill where there was thick and thin brush surrounding. Every once in a while there would be a small river or inlet that gave view to the beautiful countryside, the latitude is 34 degrees with moderate temperature and winds. The sea is calm but not excited, and when a fog arrives, it is quickly dispersed. It seems as if this land is perfect but tomorrow is another day, with still much more to see.

March 15, 1524

Dear diary,

Another day with the natives, today I sent out one of my men to give the natives gifts, as he swam to do so he was caught by a wave and badly hurt. The natives rushed over to help him and they cared for him like he was one of their own. They helped encourage him to not be afraid by acting like him, making cries, and attempting to be friendly. As they brought him back to our ship they marveled at the whiteness of our flesh, as theirs was very tan.
Upon my accomplishment of exploring the Newfoundland, and interacting with the natives, I have now greatly detailed the once thought “detailed” map of the Newfoundland. I am very glad that the waters here are not too rough, much like those in cape horn, these waters are calm and don’t have too many eddies. The danger of this whole experience is not knowing the waters or the lands, providing unsafe conditions and extreme risk of death from sinking or scurvy and other such things.
Upon seeing the coast of the Newfoundland I am contempt with my work, and now it’s time to head back to France and report my findings.

April 17, 1524

Dear Diary,
4 months have passed since the start of the voyage to seek a path to Asia. There is a storm over head making it extremely difficult to use any form of latitude and longitude measurements, it is impossible to use the astrolabe, barley able to use the chart because the storm is causing unruly waters, and the clouds cover view for the Back Staff. All there is to use is the compass and Dead Reckoning.
The crew is working like the devil himself is after them to keep the ship afloat, and that’s not the only thing to worry about, the lightning is extremely present and dangerously close to the mast, which could result in no sails to sail by. To add to that the cartography isn’t great in the area this ship is voyaging towards, so we have to be careful on which ways the journey leads us.
The crew must be tough in this situation; if one person fails to complete their job then it is likely that the whole crew will start to decline in the quality of their stabilization of the ship. I’m not too worried about that though because the majority of sailors have nowhere else to go, there are either runaways or just have aspirations to sail. We just have to wait for the storm to pass.

June 30, 1524

I cannot take it any more! I have seen all there is to see of the New Land and yet I have still not found a way around it. We have searched the bottom of the New Land for away around it to Asia which had proved unsuccessful. So we sailed north all the way up the shore looking for any strait or real promontory. We have discovered much but we have still not achieved our original goal.
I cannot blame Antione da Conflans, who piloted our ship. He has proved his worth by safely guiding us through many storms and uncharted areas. However I am angry with the maps created on the journeys of Vesconte de Maggiolo and my brother Gerolamo Verrazzano. I have encountered many areas of land not marked on their maps. The maps have proved themselves unreliable. If the lack of useful maps was not bad enough we lost three of our ships in the beginning of the voyage! Now the journey relies entirely on our ship, the Dauphine.
As angry as I am, our journey was not a complete failure. We have discovered and claimed much land and I have created a detailed list of all the native tribes we have encountered. I have made the decision to return back to France. The food supply is running low and with the knowledge gained on this expedition we have benefited all of France.

June 5, 1526

I am finally off on my second grand voyage, to search for a route to Asia. I have had a much easier time preparing for this voyage than I had preparing for my first voyage. I was under a personal contract with Adam Godeffroy of Rouen. The contract stated that in return for Godeffroy providing the funding for the vessel and trade goods to be used on my account, I would pay him a sum of 500 pounds, tours currency upon my return. This was all part of the Chabot Agreement which called for a fleet of 3 ships, two gallons and a nef. I was once again accompanied by my brother and cartographer Gerolamo Verrazzano.