Sancti Spiritu (Argentina)

Sancti Spiritu was a fortification established in 1527 near the Paraná River by the explorer Sebastian Cabot. It was the first European settlement in the territory of modern Argentina and was destroyed by natives two years later.

The voyage of Juan Díaz de Solís explored the Río de la Plata, along the coast of Uruguay. In 1516, Solís disembarked on the Uruguay coast shortly after entering the Uruguay River, along with six other men. The local Charrúas saw them and killed them in a swift surprise attack. A boy, Francisco del Puerto, was spared because of his young age. The remaining sailors left and returned to Europe.

Del Puerto, who was left behind, survived in the wilds for ten years. He was rescued by a subsequent European voyage led by Sebastian Cabot. Del Puerto told Cabot rumors of a "white king" and a mountain of silver that was located north of the Paraná River. Cabot considered the tale to be true, and dropped his initial orders (to seek a path to the Indies shorter than the one found by Magellan-Elcano) in order to look for the mountain. The rumor was ultimately proved to be false; there were no precious metals in the La Plata basin. But the European belief in the rumor was one of the reasons for the name of Argentina.

The Sancti Spiritu fort was built next to the Carcarañá River, in what is currently Santa Fe Province. The Spanish enjoyed the warm climate, and Cabot built a house nearby. They got help from the local natives, and the priest Francisco García provided religious support. The natives were initially friendly towards the Spanish.

Cabot left the fort on December 23, in a ship with 130 men, in a quest to find the empire of the White King. He left the other 32 men at the fort. The expedition was a harsh one and the natives were forced into obedience. As a result, they left and did not provide any more food. Many Spaniards did not agree with the actions of Cabot and attempted to mutiny, but after Francisco García revealed their plan, their leader was executed.

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