The New International Encyclopædia/Niño, Pedro Alonso

NIÑO, nē'nyṓ, Pedro Alonso (c.1455-c.1505). A Spanish navigator, born at Moguer. He had sailed to the west coast of Africa several times in Portuguese vessels before 1492, when he became pilot of one of Columbus's three ships. In June, 1496, Niño sailed to Santo Domingo with supplies, and on his return nearly ruined the fortunes of Columbus by his braggadocio and his tardiness in reporting at court. After sailing on Columbus's third voyage, he planned with Cristóbal de la Guerra, a Spanish merchant, the first successful commercial voyage to the New World (1499). Niño died soon after his return, after having been accused of cheating the Crown of a part of its share in the profits of the voyage.