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Martin Alonzo Pinzón

Martin Alonzo Pinzón ( c. 1441 - 1493), Spanish navigator and explorer. He sailed with Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to the New World in 1492, as captain of the Pinta.

Pinzón was born in a family of Spanish shipowners. He was the brother of Vicente Yáńez Pinzón, and part-owner of the Nina and the Pinta. His brother Francisco Pinzón was pilot on the Pinta.

Pinzón suggestion Columbus to change course of voyage on October 7 1492. His suggestion brought the fleet in Bahamas on October 12 1492. In voyage to The Americas Pinzón often disobeyed the orders of Columbus. Pinzon became separated from Columbus in Cuba on November 21 1492. He probably sailed off on his own trying to make his own discoveries and find treasures. Pinzón rejoined Columbus on January 6 1493, when the fleet was to sail back to Spain. On return to Spain, Pinzón's ship was again separated from Columbus. Pinzón was hoping to by first to arrive in Spain with news of the discoveries. Columbus later accused Pinzón for his disloyalty.

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Pinzon was a much more accomplished sailor than Columbus and later granted the title "Admiral of the Seas" by the Spainsh loyalty. Like his brothers and other sailors from Palos, Spain, he had heard of tales of strange lands to the west. While Columbus is credited with the "discovery" of the New World, the extensive experience, navigation and seaman's skills of the Pinzon brothers, was the true reason for the mission's success. There were later recordings of Pinzon's skill and bravery on the seas, accomplishments overlooked by history and popular myth. Truly without the serendipity of the Queen assigning the Pinzons to this sojurn, Columbus would have been merely a footnote in world history.

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