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“The Log of Christopher Columbus”
Based on the translation by Robert H. Fuson
OUTBOUND VOYAGE
Friday, 3 August 1492
We set sail on this third day of August, 1492, at 8 o’clock in the morning, from the bar of Saltes. The wind is strong and variable, and we had gone 45 miles to the south by sunset. After dark, I altered course for the Canary Islands, to the SW and south by west.
Saturday, 4 August 1492
We went SW by south.
Sunday, 5 August 1492
I held the same course to the SW by south and made more than 120 miles.
Monday, 6 August 1492
The rudder of the Pinta, in which Martìn Alonso Pinzòn was traveling, slipped from its socket. I believe this was deliberately caused by Gòmez Rascòn and the owner of the caravel, Cristòbal Quintero. Neither of these men wanted to make this voyage, and even before we departed Palos de la Frontera they had attempted to delay or prevent the enterprise. All the time they were complaining and concocting excuses for not sailing. The heavy sea prevented me from helping without danger to myself, but I was able to come alongside the Pinta and hearten the crew. I was relieved to learn what a resourceful captain I had in Martìn Alonso Pinzòn, who is an experienced and ingenious man. He has been able to temporarily repair the rudder with some ropes in order that we might proceed. Despite the trouble with the Pinta we were able to make 87 miles last night and today.
Tuesday, 7 August 1492
Today the wind blew very hard, and the ropes holding the Pinta’s rudder broke. We were again delayed while makeshift repairs were made. Martìn Alonso wanted to go directly to the island of Lanzarote, but I ordered him to proceed to Grand Canary. We made 75 miles today between day and night.
Wednesday, 8 August 1492
The pilots of the three ships disagreed as to where we were this morning, but I came closest to the truth. I decided to go to Grand Canary and leave the Pinta there, for she was badly disabled and leaking. I wanted to obtain another ship there if possible, but was unable to fetch Grand Canary this day.
Thursday, 9 August 1492
The Pinta was able to reach Grand Canary this morning, where I ordered Martìn Alonso to remain until the caravel could be repaired properly or replaced. I took the Santa Maria and, with the Niña, set out for Gomera. I told Martìn Alonso that if I could find another ship at Gomera, I would return with it. If I cannot find another vessel, I will come back in a few days and assist with the repairs. I cannot reach Gomera today because of contrary winds and long periods of calm. |
Friday, 10 August 1492
I am unable to reach Gomera because of calms.
Saturday, 11 August 1492
I have been becalmed for two days and am still unable to reach Gomera, though I can see it in the distance.
Sunday, 12 August 1492
Today – Praise be to God! - I arrived at Gomera and sent a boat ashore.
Monday, 13 August 1492
The boat returned from Gomera this morning with the bad news that no ship is available on the island, but that the island’s mistress, Doña Beatriz de Peraza y Bobadilla, is expected to return momentarily from Grand Canary with a 40-ton ship. This vessel, owned by a man from Sevilla named Grajeda, would be perfect for my needs.
Tuesday, 14 August 1492
There has been no ship from Grand Canary, and I am compelled to lie at anchor, biding my time.
Wednesday, 15 August 1492
Today a brig departed Gomera for Grand Canary, and I seized the opportunity to send a man to assist Martìn Alonso with the repair of the Pinta’s rudder. I wrote Martìn a note, saying that I would have gone myself if the Santa Maria were not such a bad sailer. I also informed Martìn of our location and told him that we were waiting anxiously for his arrival. |
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Thursday, 16 August 1492
I passed yet another day at anchor, still with no sign of Doña Beatriz.
Friday, 17 August 1492
Two weeks have passed since our departure from Palos, and the crew has become restive. I am beginning to fear for the safety of Doña Beatriz. I am also wondering why Martìn is taking so long.
Saturday, 18 August 1492
I went ashore today to determine if some other ship might be available to me, but none of the few craft at Gomera is capable of a voyage of any length over the open sea. I must accept those things that I cannot control.
Sunday, 19 August 1492
A special mass was said today for the safe return of Martìn Alonso and Doña Beatriz. My enterprise is in God’s hands.
Monday, 20 August 1492
I have determined to wait three more days for word from Martìn on Grand Canary. If I have heard nothing by then, I shall sail there with the Santa Maria and Niña.
Tuesday, 21 August 1492
I still have had no message from Grand Canary.
Wednesday, 22 August 1492
We remain at anchor, awaiting word from Grand Canary.
Thursday, 23 August 1492
If no ship arrives by sundown, I shall depart tomorrow with my two ships for Grand Canary. It is essential that we sail west soon. The crew is uneasy, for tomorrow will make three weeks since departing Palos.
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Wednesday, 22 August 1492
We remain at anchor, awaiting word from Grand Canary.
Thursday, 23 August 1492
If no ship arrives by sundown, I shall depart tomorrow with my two ships for Grand Canary. It is essential that we sail west soon. The crew is uneasy, for tomorrow will make three weeks since departing Palos.
Friday, 24 August 1492
At break of day I weighed anchors, and the Niña, and I in the Santa Maria, departed Gomera for Grand Canary. By midday we overtook the brig that had sailed from Gomera on the 15th. It had been delayed by contrary winds and had made no headway for more than a week. I took my man aboard who was carrying the message to Martìn, and by Divine Providence the wind shifted and we made some progress. I passed this night near Tenerife, where the great volcano on that island erupted in a fiery display. Many members of the crew were astonished and frightened, for they had never seen such an occurrence. I calmed them by telling about Mount Etna in Sicily and other volcanoes that I have observed, and I explained to them the cause of this great fire.
Saturday, 25 August 1492
I reached Grand Canary this morning at the hour of nine and had no difficulty locating Martìn and the Pinta. He had not repaired the rudder, a fact that disturbs me somewhat. I am still of the opinion that Gòmez Rascòn and the Pinta’s owner, Cristòbal Quintero, are reluctant to make this journey and have done everything possible to delay or even prevent it.
I learned that Doña Beatriz had sailed for Gomera on Monday the 20th, and I cannot explain why her ship did not reach Gomera before we departed that island. God must have planned it that way. If I had been able to obtain her ship, there would have been still another delay in preparing it for the long voyage and in transferring supplies from the Pinta to it.
I have determined that the most efficient action is to make a new rudder for the Pinta. Also, I have determined that the Niña should be square-rigged as the other ships and have ordered the lateen sails altered. This will enable the Niña to follow the other ships more closely and safely in the belt of the easterlies. These winds blow steadily from the east or NE every day of the year, and a square-rigged ship has every advantage in these latitudes. We will return from the Indies with the westerly winds, which I have observed firsthand in the winter along the coast of Portugal and Galicia. When I sailed to England with the Portuguese some years ago, I learned that the westerlies blow year-round in the higher latitudes and are as dependable as the easterlies, but in the opposite direction.
Sunday, 26 August 1492
Martìn Alonso and his men have no good excuse for making such little progress with the Pinta. I am aware that there are few facilities on Grand Canary, but sometimes one must make do with what is at hand. I placed Maestro Diego, boatswain on the Santa Maria, in charge of constructing a new rudder. He is a good man who quickly assembled the most experienced carpenters in the fleet and set about his task with great enthusiasm. I was pleased to find that Juan Pèrez Viscaino had recaulked the Pinta, and the leaks were completely sealed.
Monday, 27 August 1492
The work proceeds well; I should be able to sail in three or four days. I assigned another group to rerig the Niña Vincente Yàñez Pinzòn, captain of the Niña, questioned this decision, but I was able to convince him that it was more efficient for sailing westward in the belt of the easterlies.
Tuesday, 28 August 1492
All repairs move apace.
Wednesday, 29 August 1492
The rigging of the Niña was completed this afternoon. Once Vincente accepted my decision, he threw himself into the project totally and surprised me with his determination and skill. |
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Thursday, 30 August 1492
The rudder is almost finished. Praise God!
Friday, 31 August 1492
All repairs to the Pinta’s rudder were completed by midday. In the afternoon I ordered the anchors hoisted, and the fleet sailed for Gomera, where I had left a detachment of men to gather fresh supplies for the voyage. Our unexpected delay has forced us to consume many of the provisions placed on board in Palos.
Saturday, 1 September 1492
The weather is good, and a fresh breeze is behind us. Also, the current is helping. We should make Gomera early tomorrow.
Sunday, 2 September 1492
I arrived this morning in Gomera without incident. There are many fine Spaniards on this island, including Doña Beatriz de Pedraza y Bobadilla, the mistress of the island. These Spaniards swear under oath that every year they see land to the west, where the sun sets. I remember that when I was in Portugal, in 1484, a man came from the island of Madeira to ask the King for a caravel to go to the land that he had seen in the west. Also, people in the Azores say that they see land to the west every year. All these people see this land to the west under the same conditions and report it to be about the same size.
Monday, 3 September 1492
When I went to Grand Canary to help Martìn Alonso with his rudder, I left a dozen men on Gomera under the command of Pedro Gutièrrez. As an officer of the royal household, he is most experienced in obtaining supplies and is well-qualified in the areas of food acquisition
Gutièrrez has already acquired all the wood and water necessary for the voyage, which I estimate will last 21 days. However, to be on the safe side, in case of contrary winds or currents, I ordered Gutièrrez to prepare for a voyage of 28 days. I anticipate no problem in replenishing our supplies when we reach the Indies.
Some of our provisions have already been assembled, such as salt, wine, molasses, and honey, but others are being prepared and will not be ready for loading until tomorrow and Wednesday.
Tuesday, 4 September 1492
Today we loaded and stored dried meat and salted fish and some fruits. The fruit will have to be consumed early, for it will spoil if the voyage is of three weeks’ duration. We will load the biscuits tomorrow. Their preparation has been slow, for Gomera does not have the facilities found in Spain and Portugal. The Portuguese have wonderful facilities for provisioning ships, but they have had many years’ experience. Everything considered, I have no complaints about the assistance I have received from the people of Gomera.
Wednesday, 5 September 1492
The ships have been loaded, and all is ready for the voyage. Tonight I shall order a special service of thanksgiving; at sunrise I will lift anchors to begin the journey westward.
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Thursday, 6 September 1492
Shortly before noon I sailed from the harbor at Gomera and set my course to the west. I am somewhat disturbed by word I received this morning from the captain of a caravel that came to Gomera from the island of Hierro. He reported that a Portuguese squadron of three caravels is in the vicinity of Hierro, apparently with orders to prevent me from departing the Canaries. There would be some truth in this, for King John must be angry that I went over to Castile. I sailed all day and night with very little wind; by morning I find myself between Gomera and Tenerife.
Friday, 7 September 1492
I have been becalmed all this day and night, until 3 o’clock in the morning.
Saturday, 8 September 1492
At 3 o’clock this morning the NE wind began to blow, and I set my course to the west. The Santa Maria took in so much water forward that my progress was impeded, and I only made 27 miles last night and today.
Sunday, 9 September 1492
This day we completely lost sight of land, and many men sighed and wept for fear they would not see it again for a long time. I comforted them with great promises of lands and riches. To sustain their hope and dispel their fears of a long voyage, I decided to reckon fewer leagues than we actually made. I did this that they might not think themselves so great a distance from Spain as they really were. For myself I will keep a confidential accurate reckoning.
Tonight I made 90 miles at a speed of 7 ½ knots. The helmsmen steered badly, letting the ship get off course to the west by north and even to the WNW. I reprimanded them several times for this.
Monday, 10 September 1492
Today I made 180 miles at a speed of 7 ½ knots. I recorded only 144 miles in order not to alarm the sailors if the voyage is lengthy.
Tuesday, 11 September 1492
I held to my westward course and made 60 miles or more. I saw a large piece of a ship’s mast from a vessel of at least 120 tons. I tried to haul it aboard but was not able to. Tonight I made another 60 miles, but recorded only 48 miles.
Wednesday, 12 September 1492
I continued to the west and made, by day and night, 90 miles, again reckoning less. |
Thursday, 13 September 1492
I sailed 99 miles, but recorded 10 less, holding my course to the west by day and by night. The currents are contrary. At sunset the needles of our compasses declined to the NW, and in the morning they declined to the NE.
Friday, 14 September 1492
I sailed day and night to the west for 60 miles. I logged somewhat less. The men of the Niña saw a tern and a ringtail, two birds that are never seen over 75 miles from land.
Saturday, 15 September 1492
I sailed to the west day and night for 81 miles, or more. Early this morning I saw a marvelous meteorite fall into the sea 12 or 15 miles away to the SW. This was taken by some people to be a bad omen, but I calmed them by telling of the numerous occasions that I have witnessed such events. I have to confess that this is the closest that a falling star has ever come to my ship.
Sunday, 16 September 1492
I sailed day and night to the west and must have gone about 117 miles, but I logged only 108. There were a few storm clouds today, and it drizzled. The weather is like April in Andalucìa, with mild breezes, and the mornings are a delight. The only thing lacking is the call of the nightingales. We have begun to see large patches of yellowish-green weed, which seems to have been torn away from some island or reef. I know that the weed has not come from the mainland because I make the mainland to be farther on.
Monday, 17 September 1492
I held my course to the west and made, day and night, 150 miles or more, but I only logged 141 miles. I have a favorable current. I saw a great deal of weed today – weed from rocks that lie to the west. I take this to mean that we are near land. The weed resembles stargrass, except that it has long stalks and shoots and is loaded with fruit like the mastic tree. Some of this weed looks like river grass, and the crew found a live crab in a patch of it. This is a sure sign of land, for crabs are not found even 240 miles from shore.
The sea is less salty by half than it is in the Canaries, and the breezes are more gentle. Everyone is cheerful, and the Pinta, the fastest sailing vessel, went ahead as fast as it could in order to sight land. We saw a lot of porpoises, and the men of the Niña killed one with a harpoon. All the indications of land come from the west, where I trust Almighty God, in whose hands are all victories, will soon deliver us to land. This morning I also saw another ringtail – a white bird with a long plumed tail – a bird that is not accustomed to sleeping on the sea.
Last night the pilots took a reading on the North Star and found that the compasses declined to the NW a full point. This caused some apprehension at the moment, but I ordered the north to be fixed again just before sunrise, and the needles were found to be true. This is because the North Star moves, not the compasses.
Tuesday, 18 September 1492
I sailed day and night more than 165 miles, but I recorded only 144 miles. The sea has been as smooth as the river at Sevilla. Martìn Alonso Pinzòn, who had sailed ahead yesterday in the Pinta, a very fast sailer, lay-to for me to come up. He told me that he saw a great flight of birds moving westward. He hoped to sight land last night; that is why he was going so fast. He is a fine captain and very resourceful, but his independence disturbs me somewhat. I trust that this tendency to strike out on his own does not continue, for we can ill afford to become separated this far from home.
He tells me that at sundown he saw land about 45 miles to the north, covered by darkness and clouds. A number of the crew urged me to change course for the north from the west and search for this land, but my calculations do not indicate that land is in that direction, and I am not going to waste time with it. I have sailed for 11 days under full sail, running ever before the wind, but tonight the wind freshened to the point that I ordered the topsails taken in.
Wednesday, 19 September 1492
The wind of last night has left us, and today we are almost becalmed. I sailed only 75 miles between day and night, and I logged 66. At 10 o’clock this morning a tern flew over the ship, followed by others in the afternoon. These birds do not go more than 60 miles from land. I ordered soundings to be taken but could not find bottom with 20 fathoms of line. The currents are setting to the SW, and it has started to rain without wind, which is a sure sign of land.
Martìn Alonso Pinzòn continues to urge me to look for land to the north, which he says he saw. According to my charts there are islands in that direction, and also to the south, and I am sailing between them. It is my desire to go directly to the Indies and not get sidetracked with islands that I shall see on the return passage, God willing. The weather is good.
I ordered our pilots to calculate our position. Juan Niño of the Niña reckoned that we are 1,320 miles west of the Canaries; Cristòbal Garcìa Salmiento of the Pinta calculated 1,260 miles. My pilot, Sancho Ruìz, figured 1,200 miles.
Thursday, 20 September 1492
Today I changed course for the first time since departing Gomera because the wind was variable and sometimes calm. I first sailed west by north and then WNW, making 21 or 24 miles. About 10 o’clock in the morning two terns flew over the ship, and a little while later another one came. The men caught a bird like a tern, except it was black, with a white tuft on its head, and it had webbed feet. Very early this morning three little birds flew over the ship, singing as they went, and flew away as the sun rose. This was a comforting thought, for unlike the large water birds, these little birds could not have come from far off. The sailors caught a little fish, and we saw much weed of the kind I have already mentioned, even more than before, stretching to the north as far as you can see. In a way this weed comforted the men, since they have concluded that it must come from some nearby land. But at the same time, it caused some of them great apprehension because in some places it was so thick that it actually held back the ships. Since fear evokes imaginary terrors, the men thought that the weed might become so thick and matted that there might happen to them what is supposed to have happened to St. Amador, when he was trapped in a frozen sea that held his ship fast. For these reasons we kept was clear as possible from those mats of weed. Later in the day I saw another tern that came from the WNW and flew to the SE. This is a sure sign that land lies to the NNW because these birds sleep ashore and go to sea in the morning in search of food, and they do not fly 60 miles.
Friday, 21 September 1492
Today was mostly calm, but there was a little wind later in the afternoon. By night and by day I made about 39 miles, some of them on course and some not. At sunrise we saw so much weed that the sea seemed to be a solid mat, coming from the west. The sea is as smooth as a river and the air the best in the world. This afternoon I saw another ringtail and a tern. I also saw a whale, which is another sign of land, for whales always stay near the coast.
Saturday, 22 September 1492
I sailed to the WNW more or less, steering first one way and then the other. I made about 90 miles and saw very little weed during the morning hours. I did see some petrels and another bird. For three days now I have been deviating from my set course to the west, but this is of no great concern, for the winds are contrary and have been blowing mostly from the SW and even from the west. Also, these contrary winds are very helpful because the crew is agitated, thinking that no winds blow in these parts that will return them to Spain. Later in the afternoon the weed was very thick. |
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Click Image to Enlarge |
Sunday, 23 September 1492
I sailed NW and sometimes NW by north, and sometimes on my original westerly course, making about 66 miles. I saw a dove, a tern, another small river bird, and some white birds. There is a lot of weed and I have seen more crabs in it. The crew is still grumbling about the wind. When I get a wind from the SW or west it is inconstant, and that, along with a flat sea, has led the men to believe that we will never get home. I told them that we are near land and that is what is keeping the sea smooth. Later, when the sea made up considerably without wind, they were astonished. I saw this as a sign from God, and it was very helpful to me. Such a sign has not appeared since Moses led the Jews out of Egypt, and they dared not lay violent hands on him because of the miracle that God had wrought. As with Moses when he led his people out of captivity, my people were humbled by this act of the Almighty. Soon thereafter a wind arose from the WNW, and the sea grew rougher. The crew was relieved. The men tried to catch some fish but could not get any to bite at the hooks. Eventually they harpooned several. Monday, 24 September 1492
I returned to my westerly course and made about 43 ½ miles, logging only 36. A tern came to the ship, and I saw many petrels.
I am having serious trouble with the crew, despite the signs of land that we have and those given to us by Almighty God. In fact, the more God shows the men manifest signs that we are near land, the more their impatience and inconstancy increases, and the more indignant they become against me. All day long and all night long those who are awake and able to get together never cease to talk to each other in circles, complaining that they will never be able to return home. They have said that it is insanity and suicidal on their part to risk their lives following the madness of a foreigner. They have said that not only am I willing to risk my life just to become a great Lord, but that I have deceived them to further my ambition. They have also said that because my proposition has been contradicted by so many wise and lettered men who considered it vain and foolish, they may be excused for whatever might be done in the matter. Some feel that they have already arrived where men have never dared to sail and that they are not obliged to go to the end of the world, especially if they are delayed anymore and will not have sufficient provisions to return. I am told by a few trusted men (and these are few in number!) that if I persist in going onward, the best course of action will be to throw me into the sea some night. They will then affirm that I fell overboard while taking the position of the North Star with my quadrant. Since I am a foreigner, little or no account will be asked of the matter, but rather, there will be a great many who will swear that God had given me my just desserts on account of my rashness. I know that the men are taking these complaints to the Pinzòns and that the Pinzòns have sided with them.
Inasmuch as most of these people are from Palos and the surrounding area, they stick together, and I know that Martin
Alonso cannot be trusted. He is a skilled mariner, but he wants the rewards and honors of this enterprise for himself. He is always running ahead of the fleet, seeking to be the first to sight land. But I am fully aware that I must use him, for his support is too great among the men. I am also confident that if I lose command, the fleet will never reach the Indies and will probably never get back to Spain. With God’s help I shall persevere.
Tuesday, 25 September 1492
It was very calm this morning, but later the wind blew. I maintained a course to the west until sunset. I talked with Martìn Alonso, captain of the Pinta, about a chart I had sent him three days ago. On it I had drawn certain islands and he agreed that we were in that region. Since we have not seen any of these islands, I feel that it is because the currents are driving us to the NE and that we might not have gone as far as the pilots say. I had Martìn send the chart back to me by a line, and I worked with my pilot to establish our true position. At sunset Martìn mounted the stern of the Pinta and with great joy called to me that he saw land and claimed the reward. When I heard this stated so positively, I fell to my knees to give thanks to Our Lord, and Martìn said Gloria in excelsis Deo with his people. My people did the same thing, and the Niña’s crew all climbed the mast and rigging, and all claimed that it was land. At the moment I myself was sure that it was land and reckoned that it was about 75 miles to the SW. It was getting dark as I changed course to the SW. I had only made 13 ½ miles today up until dark, but added another 51 miles tonight on our new course to the SW. All told, we had gone about 65 miles, but I told people we had only made 39 miles. The sea is very smooth and some of the men went swimming. I saw many dorados and other fish.
Wednesday, 26 September 1492
After sunrise I realized that what we all thought was land last evening was nothing more than squall clouds, which often resemble land. I returned to my original course of west in the afternoon, once I was positive that what I had seen was not land. Day and night I sailed 93 miles, but recorded 72. The sea was like a river and the air sweet and balmy.
Thursday, 27 September 1492
I stayed on course to the west, making 72 miles by day and night, but logging only 60. Many dorados came to the ships. The men killed one. I also saw another ringtail.
Friday, 28 September 1492
I sailed to the west for 42 miles or more, but reckoned only 39. Day and night we have had calm spells. I saw very little seaweed and we caught two more dorados; the other ships caught more.
Saturday, 29 September 1492
I sailed on to the west, making 72 miles by day and night, but told the crew 63 miles. I made little progress between day and night because of calms. This morning I saw a frigate bird, which makes terns vomit what they have eaten and then catches it in midair. The frigate bird lives on nothing else, and even though it is a sea bird, it does not alight on the water and never is found more than 60 miles from land. I have seen many of them in the Cape Verde Islands. A little later I saw two more terns and many flying fish. They are about a foot long and have two little wings like a bat. These fish sometimes fly above the water at about the height of a lance, rising in the air like an harquebus shot. Sometimes they fall on our ships. The sea is as smooth as a river, and the breeze is delightful and pleasing; only the nightingales are lacking. On three different occasions I saw terns and another frigate bird. There is also more weed. |
Sunday, 30 September 1492
I kept my course to the west, day and night, making only 42 miles because of calms, but I told the crew 33. Four ringtails came to the ship, and the fact that they flew together has made the crew believe that land must be near. Later, four terns passed, and I saw many emperor fish, which resemble a fish called chopo in that they have a very hard skin and are unfit to eat. There is quite a lot of weed. I am surprised to find that the Guards are near the arm on the west at night but at daybreak appear below the arm to the east. If this observation is correct, is appears that I only proceeded three lines last night, or nine astronomical hours. At nightfall the compass needle declined to the NW by a point, but at dawn it was right on the North Star. This is because the needle points true, but the star rotates. For some reason my pilots do not understand this phenomenon, and it makes them agitated and confused. These variations make them quite apprehensive, especially on a voyage of this length into strange regions. My explanation has only partly allayed their fears.
Monday, 1 October 1492
I sailed onward to the west for 75 miles, but reckoned 60. At sunrise a tern flew over the ship, and a pair flew over at 10 o’clock. It rained very hard this morning. The pilot of the Santa Marìa calculated that we were 1,734 miles west of Hierro; my corrected figure that I gave him was 1,752 miles. My personal calculation shows that we have come 2,121 miles. I did not reveal this figure to the men because they would become frightened, finding themselves so far from home, or at least thinking they were that far.
Tuesday, 2 October 1492
I held course to the west night and day for 117 miles, but reckoned to the crew 90. The sea is smooth and favorable. Many thanks be given to God. Seaweed is coming from the east to the west, contrary to what we have been experiencing. There are many fish, and the crew killed one. I also saw a white bird that looked like a gull.
Wednesday, 3 October 1492
I maintained my westward course and made 141 miles, but told the men 120. There is more weed, but it is withered and appears old. There is a little fresh weed that bears something like fruit. I did not see any birds this morning and believe that I have left them astern in the islands that I have depicted on my chart and that I have passed. I could have visited those islands last week, but did not want to delay by beating windward because they were not my objective. My goal is the Indies, and it would make no sense to waste time with offshore islands.
This afternoon I assembled the pilots for another estimate of our position. The Niña’s pilot claimed the distance made good west of Hierro is 1,620 miles; he of the Pinta, 1,902 miles. Allowing for the distance covered since my pilot gave me an estimate on Monday, these values are too low, for we have almost always had a stiff wind to our backs. I calculate that we have come at least 2,379 miles.
Thursday, 4 October 1492
I sailed west and between day and night made 189 miles, but reckoned 138. More than 40 petrels came to the ship at one time, along with two terns. A boy on the caravel hit one of them with a stone. A frigate bird came to the ship and a white bird that looked like a gull. So many birds are a sure sign that we are near land.
Friday, 5 October 1492
I continued to the west, at a speed of about 8 ¼ knots, and made some 171 miles between day and night, but reckoned 135. The wind abated somewhat during the night. The sea is pleasant and calm. Many thanks be given to God. The air is balmy and mild and there is no weed. There are many birds, especially petrels, and many flying fish flew aboard the ship.
Saturday, 6 October 1492
I maintained my course to the west and made 120 miles between day and night, but told the people 99. This evening Martìn Alonso Pinzòn told me that he thought it would be wise to steer to the SW by west in order to reach the island of Japan, which is marked on the chart that I had shown him. In my opinion it is better to continue directly west until we reach the mainland. Later we can go to the islands on the return voyage to Spain. My decision has not pleased the men, for they continue to murmur and complain. Despite their grumblings I held fast to the west. |
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Click Image to Enlarge |
Sunday, 7 October 1492
I sailed to the west and made 9 knots for 2 hours and then 6 knots for 8 ½ hours. I went about 69 miles up and until an hour before sunset, but told the crew 54.
This morning we saw what appeared to be land to the west, but it was not very distinct. Furthermore, no one wished to make a false claim of discovery, for I had ordered that if anyone make such a claim and, after sailing three days, the claim proved to be false, the 10,000 maravedies reward promised by the Catholic Sovereigns would be forfeited, even if afterward he actually did see it. Being warned of this, no one aboard the Santa Marìa or Pinta dared call out “Land, land!” However, after we had rendezvoused this morning at sunrise (I had ordered that we assemble at sunrise and sunset because that is when there is the least haze and we can see the farthest) the Niña, which is a better sailer, ran ahead and fired a cannon and ran up a flag on her mast to indicate that land had been sighted. Joy turned to dismay as the day progressed, for by evening we had found no land and had to face the reality that it was only an illusion. God did offer us, however, a small token of comfort: many large flocks of birds flew over, coming from the north and flying to the SW. They were more varied in kind than any we had seen before and they were land birds, either going to sleep ashore or fleeing the winter in the lands whence they came. I know that most of the islands discovered by the Portuguese have been found because of birds. For these reasons I have decided to alter course and turn the prow to the WSW. This I did an hour before sunset, and I shall proceed on this course for two days. I added another 15 miles before darkness, making a total of 84 miles by night and by day.
Monday, 8 October 1492
I sailed to the WSW, making only 35 miles day and night. The sea is like the river of Sevilla, thanks be to God. The air is as balmy as in April in Sevilla, and it is so fragrant that it is a pleasure to breathe it. Very fresh weed has been seen, and there are many land birds flying to the SW, one of which we caught. We have seen gulls, ducks, and a tern.
Tuesday, 9 October 1492
I continued on my new course to the SW and made 15 miles. The wind shifted, and I ran west by north for 12 miles. I then sailed for another 33 miles. All told, by day and night I went a little more than 60 miles, but told the men that we had gone 51 miles. All night long we heard birds passing. We must be very close to landfall, thanks be to God.
Wednesday, 10 October 1492
I held course to the WSW, running 7 ½ knots, and at times 9 knots, and for awhile 5 ¼ knots. Between day and night I made 177 miles. I told the crew 132 miles, but they could stand it no longer. They grumbled and complained of the long voyage, and I reproached them for their lack of spirit, telling them that, for better or worse, they had to complete the enterprise on which the Catholic Sovereigns had sent them. I cheered them on as best as I could, telling them of all the honors and rewards they were about to receive. I also told the men that it was useless to complain, for I had started out to find the Indies and would continue until I had accomplished that mission, with the help of Our Lord.
Thursday, 11 October 1492
I sailed to the WSW, and we took more water aboard than at any other time on the voyage. I saw several things that were indications of land. At one time a large flock of sea birds flew overhead, and a green reed was found floating near the ship. The crew of the Pinta spotted some of the same reeds and some other plants; they also saw what looked like a small board or plank. A stick was recovered that looks manmade, perhaps carved with an iron tool. Those on the Niña saw a little stick covered with barnacles. I am certain that many things were overlooked because of the heavy sea, but even these few made the crew breathe easier; in fact, the men have even become cheerful. I sailed 81 miles from sunset yesterday to sunset today. As is our custom, vespers were said in the late afternoon, and a special thanksgiving was offered to God for giving us renewed hope through the many signs of land He has provided.
After sunset I ordered the pilot to return to my original westerly course, and I urged the crew to be ever-vigilant. I took the added precaution of doubling the number of lookouts, and I reminded the men that the first to sight land would be given a silk doublet as a personal token from me. Further, he would be given an annuity of 10,000 maravedies from the Sovereigns.
At about 10 o’clock at night, while standing on the sterncastle, I thought I saw a light to the west. It looked like a little wax candle bobbing up and down. It had the appearance as a light or torch belonging to fishermen or travelers who alternately raised and lowered it, or perhaps were going from house to house. I am the first to admit that I was so eager to find land that I did not trust my own senses, so I called for Pedro Gutièrrez, the representative of the King’s household, and asked him to watch for the light. After a few moments, he too saw it. I then summoned Rodrigo Sànchez of Segovia, the comptroller of the fleet, and asked him to watch for the light. He saw nothing, nor did any other member of the crew. It was such an uncertain thing that I did not feel it was adequate proof of land.
The moon, in its third quarter, rose in the east shortly before midnight. I estimate that we were making about 9 knots and had gone some 67 ½ miles between the beginning of night and 2 o’clock in the morning. Then, at two hours after midnight, the Pinta fired a cannon, my prearranged signal for the sighting of land.
I now believe that the light I saw earlier was a sign from God and that it was truly the first positive indication of land. When we caught up with the Pinta, which was always running ahead because she was a swift sailer, I learned that the first man to sight land was Rodrigo de Triana, a seaman from Lepe.
I hauled in all sails but the mainsail and lay-to til daylight. The land is about 6 miles to the west.
Friday, 12 October 1492
At dawn we saw naked people, and I went ashore in the ship’s boat, armed, followed by Martìn Alonso Pinzòn, captain of the Pinta, and his brother, Vincente Yàñez Pinzòn, captain of the Niña. I unfurled the royal banner and the captains brought the flags which displayed a large green cross with the letters F and Y at the left and right side of the cross. Over each letter was the appropriate crown of that Sovereign. These flags were carried as a standard on all of the ships. After a prayer of thanksgiving I ordered the captains of the Pinta and the Niña, together with Rodrigo de Escobedo (secretary of the fleet), and Rodrigo Sànchez of Segovia (comptroller of the fleet) to bear faith and witness that I was taking possession of this island for the King and Queen. I made all the necessary declarations and had these testimonies carefully written down by the secretary. In addition to those named above, the entire company of the fleet bore witness to this act. To this island I gave the name San Salvador, in honor of our Blessed Lord.
No sooner had we concluded the formalities of taking possession of the island than people began to come to the beach, all as naked as their mothers bore them, and the women also, although I did not see more than one very young girl. All those that I saw were young people, none of whom was over 30 years old. They are very well-built people, with handsome bodies and very fine faces, though their appearance is marred somewhat by very broad heads and foreheads, more so than I have ever seen in any other race. Their eyes are large and very pretty, and their skin is the color of Canary Islanders or of sunburned peasants, not at all black, as would be expected because we are on an east-west line with Hierro in the Canaries. These are tall people and their legs, with no exceptions, are quite straight, and none of them has a paunch. They are, in fact, well proportioned. Their hair is not kinky, but straight, and coarse like horsehair. They wear it short over the eyebrows, but they have a long hank in the back that they never cut. Many of the natives paint their faces; others paint their whole bodies; some, only the eyes or nose. Some are painted black, some white, some red; others are of different colors.
The people here called this island Guanahani in their language, and their speech is very fluent, although I do not understand any of it. They are friendly and well- dispositioned people who bear no arms except for small spears, and they have no iron. I showed one my sword, and through ignorance he grabbed it by the blade and cut himself. Their spears are made of wood, to which they attach a fish tooth at one end, or some other sharp thing.
I want the natives to develop a friendly attitude toward us because I know that they are a people who can be made free and converted to our Holy Faith more by love than by force. I therefore gave red caps to some and glass beads to others. They hung the beads around their necks, along with some other things of slight value that I gave them. And they took great pleasure in this and became so friendly that it was a marvel. They traded and gave everything they had with good will, but it seems to me that they have very little and are poor in everything. I warned my men to take nothing from the people without giving something in exchange.
This afternoon the people of San Salvador came swimming to our ships and in boats made from one log. They brought us parrots, balls of cotton thread, spears, and many other things, including a kind of dry leaf that they hold in great esteem. For these items we swapped them little glass beads and hawks’ bells.
Many of the men I have seen have scars on their bodies, and when I made signs to them to find out how this happened, they indicated that people from other nearby islands come to San Salvador to capture them; they defend themselves the best they can. I believe that people from the mainland come her to take them as slaves. They ought to make good and skilled servants, for they repeat very quickly whatever we say to them. I think they can easily be made Christians, for they seem to have no religion. If it pleases Our Lord, I will take six of them to Your Highnesses when I depart, in order that they may learn our language.
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Christopher Columbus Lands at San Salvador
Click Image to Enlarge |
The Landing on October 12, 1492 did not end the journey, it was only the beginning. The people of San Salvador were only the first of many Columbus would encounter on this momentous voyage and others that followed.
Columbus sailed on to Cuba in late October and November, where the Pinta and her Captain, Martin Alonso Pinzon, deserted Columbus.
“Saturday, 27 October 1492 I hauled up anchor at sunrise and departed for Cuba, which I am told is magnificent, with gold and pearls. I am now certain that Cuba is the Indian name for Japan. I made 6 knots from sunrise until 1 o’clock in the afternoon, to the SSW. I added another 21 miles before nightfall on the same course, for a total of 51 miles. Just before sunset I saw land, but it rained so hard that we had to beat about all this night.”
“Wednesday, 21 November 1492 This day Martin Alonso Pinzon sailed away with the caravel Pinta, without my will or command. It was through perfidy. I think he believes that an Indian I had placed on the Pinta could lead him to much gold, so he departed without waiting and without the excuse of bad weather, but because he wished to do so. He has done and said many other things to me.”
Columbus aboard the Santa Maria and accompanied by the Nina arrived at Hispaniola in early December.
"Friday, 21 December 1492 I have been sailing the seas for 23 years, without laying off for any time long enough to be counted, and I have seen all the East and West (as it is called in going to the north, which is England), and I have traveled through Guinea, but in all those regions harbors as perfect as these will never be found. And it has been the case that each harbor I have come to has been better than the last one. I have considered what I have written very carefully, and I assert I have written correctly and that now this harbor surpasses all others. All the ships of the world could be contained in it, and it is so sheltered that the oldest line on the ship would hold it fast.”
Here on Christmas Eve of 1492, the Santa Maria was lost on a reef. The remains of the ship were used to build a fort, called La Navidad, and Columbus was forced to leave most of the crew of the Santa Maria there to await his return voyage from Spain.
“Tuesday, 25 December 1492-Christmas Day Our Lord willed that at midnight, when the crew saw me lie down to rest and also saw that there was a dead calm and the sea was as in a bowl, they all lay down to sleep and left the helm to that boy. The currents carried the ship upon one of these banks. Although it was night, the sea breaking on them made so much noise that they could be heard and seen at a 3-mile distance. The ship went upon the bank so quietly that it was hardly noticeable. When the boy felt the rudder ground and heard the noise of the sea, he cried out. I jumped up instantly; no one else had yet felt that we were aground. Then the master of the ship, Juan de la Cosa, who was on watch, came out. I ordered him to rouse the crew, to launch the small boat we carry on our stern, and to take an anchor and cast it at the stern. The master and many others jumped into the small boat, and I assumed they were going to follow my orders. Instead, their only thoughts were to escape to the Nina, which was a 1 ½ miles to the windward. The crew of the Nina would not receive them, which was correct, and therefore they returned to the ship. But the boat from the Nina reached the ship before my own boat did!
When I saw that some of my own crew were fleeing and that the sea was becoming more shallow, with my ship broadside to it, I did the only thing I could. I ordered the mast cut and the ship lightened as much as possible, to see if it could be refloated. But the water became even more shallow, and the ship settled more and more to one side. Although there was little or no sea, I could not save her. Then the seams opened, though she remained in one piece.”
Wednesday, 2 January 1493 ….I left on this Isla Espanola, which the Indians call Bohio, 39 men in the fortress, under the command of three officers, all of whom are very friendly with King Guacanagari. In command is Diego de Arana, a native of Cordoba, whom I have given all of the powers I received from the Sovereigns, in full.”
Columbus departed aboard the Nina for Spain in early January 1493. Columbus found the Pinta a few days later, and they sailed for Spain, but were again separated by a fierce storm in the North Atlantic in February.
“Tuesday, January 8, 1492 Because of a strong east and SE wind I did not start today, but I ordered the ships supplied with wood and water and everything necessary for the voyage. Although I wanted to sail this entire coast of the Isla Espanola, which I could do maintaining my course, my captains on the caravels are brothers, that is to say, Martin Alonso Pinzon and Vincente Yanez Pinzon, and their followers are greedy and unstrustworthy. They do not respect the honor I have shown them, and they have not and do not obey my commands. Rather, they have done and said many unjust things against me, and Martin Alonso left me from 22 November to 6 January, without cause or reason, but from disobedience. All this I have endured in silence, in order to finish my voyage successfully. On account of this, in order to escape such bad company, which I have to ignore, I have decided to return with the greatest possible haste and not to stop longer. Although there are many disobedient people among the crew, there are also many good men. Now is not the time to think about their punishment.”
Thursday, 14 February 1493 The wind increased last night, and the waves were frightful, coming in opposite directions. They crossed each other and trapped the ship, which could not go forward nor get out from between them, and they broke over us. I carried the mainsail very low, simply to escape somewhat from the waves. I went this way for three hours and made about 15 miles. The wind and the sea increased greatly, and seeing the great danger I began to run before the wind, letting it carry me wherever it wanted, for there was no other remedy. Then the caravel Pinta, on which was Martin Alonso, began to run also and eventually disappeared from sight, although all night long I showed lights and the Pinta responded until it was not able to do so any longer because of the force of the storm, and because she was far off from my course. I went this night to the NE by east for 40 ½ miles. After sunrise the wind became stronger and the crossing waves more terrible. I carried only a low mainsail, so that the ship might escape some of the waves breaking over her and not sink. I went like this for 6 hours and made 22 ½ miles.”
First the Nina and then the Pinta arrived back in Palos within hours of each other on March 15, 1493. Columbus was proclaimed a hero, but Pinzon died within a short time of his return to Spain.
“Friday, March 15, 1493 Yesterday after sunset I continued on my course until dawn, with a light wind; by sunrise I was off Saltes. At noon, with the tide rising, I entered the bar of Saltes until I was inside the harbor from which I had departed on August 3 of the past year. Thus, the writing is now completed, except that I intend to go by sea to Barcelona, where, I have been informed, Your Highnesses are staying. This is in order to give them a full account of my voyage, which Our Lord had permitted me to make, and for which He inspired me. His Divine Majesty does all good things, and everything is good except sin, and nothing can be imagined or planned without His consent. This voyage has miraculously proven this to be so, as can be learned from this writing, by the remarkable miracles which have occurred during the voyage for me, who has been in the court of Your Highnesses for such a long, time, with opposition and against the advice of so many of the principal persons of your household, who were all against me and treated this undertaking as a folly. I hope to Our Lord that it will be the greatest honor for Christianity, although it has been accomplished with such ease.”
This last log entry by Christopher Columbus concluded his epic journey that changed the world forever. |
EPILOGUE:
Columbus' voyage did not end on October 12, 1492. He and his crew spent many months exploring the peoples and landscapes of these Islands in the Carribean. Drama and conflicts between Columbus and Martin Alonso Pinzon continued even as they made the return voyage to Spain. The diary ends on 15 March 1493:
" At noon with the tide rising, I entered the bar of Saltes until I was inside the harbor from which I had departed on August 3 of the past year. Thus the writing is now completed...I hope to Our Lord that it [the voyage] will be the greatest honor for Christianity, although it has been accomplished with such ease."
If you wish to continue the journey with Columbus, read The Log of Christopher Columbus translated by Robert H. Fuson; International Marine Publishing Company, Camden, Maine, 1987. |
Coat of Arms of Christopher Columbus
![Coat of Arms of Christopher Columbus EPILOGUE:
Columbus voyage did not end on October 12, 1492. He and his crew spent many months exploring the peoples and landscapes of the these Islands in the Carribean. Drama and conflicts between Columbus and Martin Alonso Pinzon continued even as they made the return voyage to Spain. The diary ends on 15 March 1493:
At noon with the tide rising, I entered the bar of Saltes until I was inside the harbor from which I had departed on August 3 of the past year. Thus the writing is now completed...I hope to Our Lord that it [the voyage]will be the greatest honor for Christianity, although it has been accomplished with such ease.](http://www.ccmuseumedres.com/userpictures/html_page_image.328.1.s.jpg)
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![Coat of Arms of Christopher Columbus EPILOGUE:
Columbus voyage did not end on October 12, 1492. He and his crew spent many months exploring the peoples and landscapes of the these Islands in the Carribean. Drama and conflicts between Columbus and Martin Alonso Pinzon continued even as they made the return voyage to Spain. The diary ends on 15 March 1493:
At noon with the tide rising, I entered the bar of Saltes until I was inside the harbor from which I had departed on August 3 of the past year. Thus the writing is now completed...I hope to Our Lord that it [the voyage]will be the greatest honor for Christianity, although it has been accomplished with such ease.](javascript:JSWindowOpener('zoom.php?picture=http://www.ccmuseumedres.com/userpictures/html_page_image.328.1.jpg',630,450))