Francisco de Ulloa

According to some early historians, Ulloa was influential in helping subdue the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan by naval power.

Unable to find the through-continent route, Ulloa turned south and sailed along the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula, landing at the Bay of La Paz.

After taking on supplies of wood and water Ulloa rounded the tip of the peninsula with great difficulty and sailed northward along the western shore in the Pacific Ocean.

A personal letter to Cortés on April 5 seemed to indicate that he intended to continue northward, at which point his ship was lost.

Díaz del Castillo maintains that Ulloa was able to return to port, and was stabbed to death by a soldier from his crew in 1540.