It is regrettable that we do not have proof of the places where America's adelantados first came ashore. Until confirming evidence is discovered, our conclusions after writing this book are only speculation. Nevertheless, here they are:

PONCE DE LEON

Depth soundings, and the long search for a harbor, persuade us that Ponce made his landfall just north of Daytona Beach and stepped ashore at Ormand By The Sea.

His west coast anchorge, in a "way" between outer islands and the mainland, would be Pine Island Sound.

The first colony attempted in what now is the United States most likely was in the southern part of Pine Island commanding San Carlos Bay.

PANFILO NARVAEZ

The only big harbor from which Narvaez could march north, closeto the coast, without bumping into another big port would be Tampa Bay. We believe he landed on Pinellas Peninsula near St. Petersburg.

HERNANDO DE SOTO

The letter by Soto saying his camp was on a "cape at the head of the bay" is explicit for a north shore location. Biedma's report that the march inland started "toward the sunset" also indicates north shore.

The depth of Boca Grande Pass into Charlotte Harbor was just right to scrape Soto's heavy ships. Shallow Charlotte Harbor, unlike deep Tampa Bay, would have required kedging and anchorage short of the north shore.

Soto's base camp would have been at Live Oak Point, now the northern approach to the Gilchrist-Collier bridges over Charlotte Harbor.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?