Seasoned With Salt Trivia Quiz

Answer: Erik the Red

My name is actually Erik Thorvaldsson, and I was the first European to explore Greenland in depth. I spent my entire exile exploring the world's largest island. It has been said that I dubbed the somewhat inhospitable area 'Greenland' in order to entice settlers, which might probably be true. After my exile, I returned to Iceland where I convinced approximately 500 of my countrymen to return with me to Greenland. We travelled to Greenland in the famed Viking longboats, and established our first settlements on the southwest coast at Eystribyggo and Vestribyggo. Unfortunately, over the years my settlers were plagued by internal strife, harsh living conditions, pirate raids and sickness.

Some people also say that my nickname - Erik the Red - is a reference to the color of my hair, but there are others who think that the 'red' refers to my hot temper.

Answer: Amerigo Vespucci

While working in Spain, I was asked to be an observer during several voyages set to explore the east coast of South America. The actual number of voyages I participated in is disputed, but I am generally credited with being part of the expeditions in 1499 and 1502. My involvement in the other two voyages, in 1497 and 1502, is considered, by most historians, doubtful at best, and fraudulent at worst. At a time when popular opinion held that the Americas were an extension of Asia, my discoveries led to the acknowledgement of a fourth continent.

In 1507, a German writer/cartographer named Martin Waldseemuller created a world map, and named the continent 'America' - a feminine version of my first name.

And, according to his personal correspondence, Christopher Columbus did not believe that I was trying to steal his thunder.

Answer: Henry Hudson

Hired by the Muscovy Company in 1607, I set out to discover a northern route to the Spice Islands on my ship, The Hopewell. My second voyage was financed by the Dutch East India Company, with a nearly identical objective. My third venture, this time sailing under the English flag, was funded by the Virginia Company and the British East India Company. Due to navigation difficulties caused by ice and storms, my intended, or hoped-for, routes had to be altered, and we ended up discovering the Hudson river, bay and strait.

At the end of my third venture, during the spring of 1611, after wintering over in James Bay, the crew insisted on returning home, and subsequently mutinied. The crew claimed to have set me, my teenage son and eight others adrift, but there is speculation that they may have murdered me. None of us, including my son, was ever seen again.

Hudson County, in New Jersey, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait and the Hudson River are all named after me.

Answer: Ernest Shackleton

I'm an Irishman first, and an explorer second, and I was knighted by King Edward VII in 1909. From 1901-1904 I was 3rd officer as part of Captain Scott's Antarctic Discovery Expedition, and in 1907 I lead the Nimrod Expedition. In 1912 I participated in 'The Race to the South Pole', but I was beaten there by Roald Amundsen.

After that bitter defeat, during the years of 1914-1917, I decided to cross Antarctica from sea to sea, via the pole, in the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. That was the expedition where the Endurance became trapped by the ice. We managed to escape, with nary a life lost, but for some reason the public seemed to forget that amazing feat. I should have become as famous as Captain Scott, but for many years my adventures were largely forgotten.

Answer: Hernando de Soto

I'm a conquistador, and an explorer, and I sailed to what we believed to be East Asia, which later became known as the New World, in 1514. I'm almost without peer as a tactician and fighter, but there are many who consider me brutal.

In 1530 I led an expedition up the Yucatan Peninsula in search of a route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that would enable us to reach the Orient. Failing to find such a route, I joined Francisco Pizzarro in our successful plundering of the Incan Empire. After returning to Spain in 1534, I was inspired by Cabeza de Vaca's New World exploits, and decided to set off again for the New World. Between 1539 and 1542, I led my crew throughout the southeastern United States, with perhaps my greatest achievement occurring in 1541 when I discovered the great Mississippi River.

A few unfortunate side effects of our encounters with the Native Americans led to the deaths of thousands of the natives. Between our armed clashes, diseases spread that had been previously unknown in this new land. The resulting hostile attitudes between the natives and we Europeans, a large portion of the New World's social structure and native habits were forever changed.

Answer: Sir Francis Drake

I am perhaps famous for circumnavigating the world, but my life was filled with adventure. I had a lifelong hatred of the Spanish, who considered me to be a pirate, and defeated them during numerous clashes.

My first seagoing adventure was as an apprentice member of a barque crew, and when I was twenty, I inherited that barque. At twenty-three, I set off for my first visit to the New World. In 1588 I was key in defeating King Philip II's Spanish Armada. I was awarded a knighthood in 1581, and besides my seagoing accomplishments, I was at one time the Mayor of Plymouth.

Answer: Abel Tasman

I am a Dutch explorer, and my two most notable voyages were in 1642 and 1644. My explorations through the Pacific succeeded in naming and claiming Van Dieman's Land for the Dutch flag - which later came to be named after me as Tasmania - and exploring and mapping much of New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Answer: Francisco Pizarro

I am probably best-known for my participation in the Spanish conquest of the Incan Empire, but my exploits far exceed that simple description. Beginning in 1502, I sailed on numerous campaigns with the purpose of exploring the New World and securing new lands for Spain. From 1519-1523, I was the Mayor and Magistrate of Panama City, 1528 - 1541 I was the Governor of New Castile. I am, however, proudest of my establishment of the great city of Lima on Peru's central coast in 1535.

Answer: Sir Walter Raleigh

While my plan to colonize Virginia ended in failure at Roanoke Island, twice, it did lead the way for those who came later. And, despite being a court favorite for many years, in 1591 I married without Queen Elizabeth I's permission, and I was imprisoned for a time in the Tower of London.

In 1594 I set off for Venezuela to find Manoa - El Dorado - the legendary city of gold. Although I was less than successful in that venture, I never doubted that the treasure could be found. After another stint in the Tower, I was released in 1616 to resume my search. Again, success eluded me, and upon my return to England, I was imprisoned once more. After a trial that was little more than a show, in 1618, I was beheaded at Whitehall.

Answer: James Cook

I am a bold explorer who joined the merchant navy when I was still a teenager. In the 1760s, I was the first to map Newfoundland, and I have the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand as one of my finest accomplishments. In 1778 I was also the first European to visit the Hawaiian Islands, which I renamed the Sandwich Islands, and it was here in 1779 that escalating tensions and hostility led to my death at the hands of the natives.