Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
Conquistador..........,
Treasurer of the ill-fated Panfilo de Narvez expedition, was first to write of the discovery of Tampa Bay, April 17, 1528, calling it "Bahia de la Cruz, the best harbor in the world."
After the disastrous trek through Florida the remaining explorers took to the sea in 5 crude boats and vanished. Only Cabeza de Vaca and 3 companions survived. The castaways wandered for 8 years from Tampa Bay to Mexico. Cabeza de Vaca in his "Narrative" had cast a new light on "el Nuevo Mundo."
Marker is on South Harbour Island Boulevard, on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
