The Voyage of Christopher Columbus

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Early Years

Born in Genoa in 1451

Was shipwrecked of the coast of Portugal

Was taken in by his brother

Learned about Atlantic sailing.

Voyaged to Iceland in 1477

Believed Asia was locate to the west of Portugal.

Sponsorship

Approached King John of Portugal but was rejected.

Was rejected elsewhere as well including England.

Went to Spain but Spain was at war with the Moors

After seven years Queen Isabella agreed to sponsor a voyage

Preparations

Port of Palos was chosen to provide a crew

Helped by brothers Martin and Vincente Pinzon

Given three ships: Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria

The Voyage

Three ships set sail from Palos on August 3rd 1492

Mutiny was prevented after 18 days by Martin Pinzon threatening to hang six crew members from the mast of the Santa Maria.

Columbus often lied to his crew about the distance they had sailed.

Land was sighted at 2am on October 12th by Roderigo de Triano in the crow's nest of the Pinta

Columbus went ashore next day and placed a crucifix and a flag of Spain on the island and named it San Salvador(Our Saviour)

Spent three months touring the neighbouring islands.

Returned to Spain with six natives whom he had kidnapped to put on exhibition in Spain

Believed he was in Asia and called natives Indians

Returned to the "New World" twice more and reached mainland on this third voyage.