ジョバンニ・ダ・ヴェラッツァーノ
The Outer Banks were explored in 1524 by Giovanni da Verrazzano, who mistook Pamlico Sound for the Pacific Ocean, and concluded that the barrier islands were an isthmus. Recognizing this as a potential shortcut to Ming China, he presented his findings to King Francis I of France and King Henry VIII of England, neither of whom pursued the matter.