Excerpt from: The Log of Columbus * Wednesday, 23 January 1493

Taken from The Log of Columbus
Wednesday, 23 January 1493

Last night there were many changes in the wind, and having been on the alert for everything and having taken the precautions good sailors are accustomed to take and must take, I went last night to the NE by north about 63 miles. I waited many times for the Pinta, which had a lot of difficulty sailing close to the wind because the mast was not sound and the mizzen helped her very little. If her captain, Martin Alonso Pinzon, had taken as much trouble to provide himself with a good mast in the Indies, where there are so many good ones, as he did to separate himself from me with the intention of filling his ship with gold, he would have been better off. Many ringtails appeared and much seaweed. The sky is very disturbed these days, but it has not rained and the sea is very calm all the time, as in a river, many thanks be given to God. After sunrise I made about 22 ½ miles for part of the day straight to the NE. The remainder of the day I went to the ENE another 22 ½ miles.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Tuesday, 22 January 1493

Taken from The Log of Columbus
Tuesday, 22 January 1493

Yesterday after sunset I sailed to the NNE with the wind east and veering to the SE. I made 6 knots during the five half-hour glasses and for three before the watch began. I thus made 24 miles. Then I went to the north by east for six glasses, which would be another 18 miles. I then went for four glasses of the second watch to the NE at 4 ½ knots, which is 9 miles to the NE. From then until sunrise I went to the ENE during 11 glasses at 4 ½ knots, or 24 ¾ miles. I then went ENE until 11 o’clock in the morning, 24 miles. The wind became dead calm and I went no further today.

The Indians went swimming, and we saw ringtails and a great deal of seaweed.
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If you remember, Columbus “took” a few Indians on his return voyage to Spain.

 

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Tuesday, 15 January 1493 (Part 4 of 4)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 4 of 4)
Tuesday, 15 January 1493

There is a great deal of cotton here, very fine and long, as well as a lot of mastic, and gold and copper. There is also much aji,* which is their pepper and is worth more than our pepper; no one eats without it because it is very healthy. Fifty caravels can be loaded each year with it on this Isla Espanola. There is a lot of seaweed in this bay of the same kind that we found in the ocean when we came to make the discovery. Because of this, I believe there are islands lying in a straight line to the east from where I began to find them. I am certain that this seaweed grows in shallow water near the land; if this is so, then these Indies are very close to the Canary Islands. For this reason I believe that the Canaries are less than 1,200 miles from the Indies.

*Chili pepper; the word is still commonly used. Not to be confuse with aje (yuca or sweet potatoes) or ajo (garlic).

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Tuesday, 15 January 1493 (Part 3 of 4)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 3 of 4)
Tuesday, 15 January 1493

The bows of these people are as large as those in France and England. The arrows are just like the spears of the other people I have seen before, made fr...om cane stalks that have gone to seed. They are very straight and one-and-a-half or two yards long, and they place a sharpened stick in the end, a palm-and-a-half long. At the end of this little stick some of them insert a fish tooth, and most of them put poison on the tip. They do not shoot as in other places, but in a peculiar way that cannot do much harm. The bows seem to be made of yew.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Tuesday, 15 January 1493 (Part 2 of 4)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 2 of 4)
Tuesday, 15 January 1493

I sent the boat ashore; although the king of this country did not come because his village is a long way off, he did send the crown of gold that he promised, and many other men came with cotton, bread, and ajes, all carrying their bows and arrows. After we had traded everything with the Indians, four young men came to the caravel and gave such a good account of these islands lying to the east on my intended course that I have decided to take them with me to Castile. These Indians have no iron or other metal here that can be seen, although in a few days you cannot learn much about a country because of the difficulty with the language. I can understand it only by intuition, nor did the Indians learn what I was asking in a few days.
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Columbus called yuca ajes

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Tuesday, 15 January 1493 (Part 1 of 4)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 1 of 4)
Tuesday, 15 January 1493

I wish to depart because nothing is gained by staying here. Too many disagreements have taken place. I have also learned today that the bulk of the gold is in the vicinity of Your Highnesses’ Villa de la Navidad. There is a great deal of copper on the island of Caribe and on Matinino, but it would be difficult to obtain it in Caribe because the people eat human flesh. I can see the island of Caribe* and have determined to go there, since it is on the course to the island of Matinino, which is inhabited only by women. I want to see both of these islands and take some of the inhabitants with me.

*Columbus can see the eastern half of the Cordillera Oriental, across Samana Bay and thinks it is a separate island.

End of the Log of Christopher Columbus posts

The Log of Christopher Columbus has been a 4 month project that has been a labor of love. We wanted to share the only written record of that time with the decendants of the people who Columbus encountered. We know some of you enjoyed it, some of you told us you were bored with it, and many others of you left our page because of it, but in the end, we hope that those of you who stayed with us thr...oughout learned something about the Taino and the period of time when we were 'discovered' by Columbus. Tomorrow will be our last post for awhile. Columbus returns to Spain and most of Log posts are about sailing, winds, a leaky ship and the kinds of birds and creatures of the sea that are encountered along the way. There are a couple days that are of interest and those will be posted. But, as tomorrow is our last day, we would greatly appreciate it if you would share with us something you learned from this effort that you did not know before. And for those of you who stayed with us, our heartfelt thanks.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Monday, 14 January 1493 (Part 2 of 2)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 2 of 2)
Monday, 14 January 1493

The caravels are leaking badly at the keel, largely because they were caulked very badly in Palos. Before we departed Spain, when I saw the poor work of the caulkers and tried to compel them to do the job right, they fled. Despite the considerable amount of water that the caravels are taking in, I have faith in Our Lord that He who brought me here will lead me back in His pity and mercy, for His Divine Majesty well knows how much controversy I had before starting from Castile, and no one else was supportive of me except God, because He knew my heart; and, after God, Your Highnesses supported me, but everyone else opposed me without any reason whatsoever. And they have been the reason why the Royal Crown of Your Highnesses does not have a hundred million more in revenue that it has, because I came to serve you seven years ago, on the 20^th of January, this very month. In addition, there would have been the natural increase from that time on. But Almighty God will take care of everything.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Monday, 14 January 1493 (Part 1 of 2)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 1 of 2)
Monday, 14 January 1493

I could not go ashore last night and search for the houses of the people I believe to be Caribes because the wind blew strongly from the east and NE and the sea was very rough. At daylight we saw many Indians on the shore. I ordered the boat to go to the land with well-armed men, and the Indians all came to the stern of the boat, including the Indian who had come to the caravel yesterday and to whom I had given various articles of trade. Along with this Indian came a king who had given this Indian some beads for the people in the boat, as a sign of security and peace. This king, with three of his people, got into the boat and came to the caravel. I ordered that they be given honey and biscuits to eat, and I gave the king a red cap and beads and a piece of red cloth; to the others I also gave pieces of red cloth. The king promised that tomorrow he would bring a gold mask and said that there was a great deal of gold in Caribe and Matinino. I then sent them ashore well pleased.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Sunday, 13 January 1493 (Part 4 of 4)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 4 of 4)
Sunday, 13 January 1493

When the boat reached land there were at least 55 men behind the trees, all naked and wearing their hair long, as the women wear it in Castile. On the back of their heads they wore headdresses of parrot feathers and other feathers, and each one carried a bow. The Indian in the boat went ashore and made the others lay down their bows and arrows, and the heavy, club like sticks that they carry in place of a sword. These Indians came to the boat, and my men landed and began to trade for the bows and arrows and other arms because I had ordered them to do so. But after trading two bows, these Indians did not wish to give up any more; rather, they prepared to attack the sailors and capture them. They ran to get their bows and arrows where they had laid them and returned with cords in their hands to bind the men. The sailors were ready, since I always advised my men to be on guard; when the Indians approached, the sailors attacked. They gave one Indian a great cut o the buttocks and wounded another in the breast with an arrow. When the Indians saw that they could gain little, although there were only seven Spaniards and more than 50 of them, they took flight until not one remained. One left his arrows here; another, his bow there. The men would have killed many of them if the pilot who went ashore as captain had not prevented it. The men then returned to the caravel and told me of the affair. In one way it troubled me and in another it did not, I.e., in that now they might be afraid of us. Without doubt, the people here are evil, and I believe they are from the island of Caribe, and that they eat men. If the boat I left with 39 men in the fortress and Villa de la Navidad comes here, these people may be afraid to do them any harm. If these people are not Caribes, they must at least be inhabitants of lands fronting them and have the same customs and the same fearlessness, not like the others on the other islands who are without arms and cowardly beyond reason. These people also build many fires according to the custom on this Isla Espanola, and I would like to take some of them with me.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Sunday, 13 January 1493 (Part 3 of 4)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 3 of 4)
Sunday, 13 January 1493

I sent the men ashore to a beautiful beach to get some ajes to eat, and they found some men with bows and arrows. They traded for two bows and many arrows and begged one of the Indians to come to the ship to speak to me. He came, and he is much uglier in the face than any of the other Indians I have seen; it was all smeared with charcoal, although everywhere the Indians are accustomed to painting themselves different colors. He wears his hair very long, drawn back, and tied in a pony tail, then gathered in a net of parrot feathers. He was naked like all the others. I assume that he is one of the Caribes (Columbus has encountered the Ciguayos, according to Las Casas, further evidence that he is on the cultural frontier.) who eat men, and that the bay I saw yesterday separates the land and makes this an island by itself. When I asked him about the Caribes, he made signs to the east, nearby, which I saw yesterday before I entered this bay. The Indian told me that there is a great deal of gold in that land; he pointed to the poop of the caravel, which is very large, and indicated there are pieces as large as that. He called gold tuob and did not understand it as caoma, as it is called in the first part of Isla Espanola, nor as nozay (On 1 November Columbus used the word nuzay (nucay). This appears to be the same word for gold as nozay. Caoma was the most common word for gold, according to Las Casas.) as it is called in San Salvador and the other islands. On the Isla Espanola they call copper or a poor quality of gold tuob. This Indian told me of the island of Matatinino (The island of Martinique. The Island of Women was a myth, but it certainly fired up a lot of explorers, rivaling the legend of the Seven Cities and El Dorado.), farther to the east of Caribe, and said that it is inhabited only by women, and that on it is a great deal of tuob, which is gold or copper. He also told me about the island of Goanin (Goanin was not an island, but a gold/copper alloy, mostly the latter. Today the word is guanin.),where there is a lot of tuob. I have already been told about these islands by many persons in the past several days. In the islands I have passed the inhabitants greatly fear the Caribes, which in some places they call the Canibas, but in the Isla Espanola they are called Caribes. They must be very daring people since they go to all the islands and eat the people they are able to capture. I understood a few words, and in this way I learned other things; the Indians with me understood more, although the languages are different because of the great distances of these lands from each other. I ordered that the Indian be given something to eat, and I gave him pieces of green and red cloth and some small glass beads, which they like very much. I sent him ashore and told him to bring gold if he had it, which I think he had, based on some of the jewelry he wore.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Sunday, 13 January 1493 (Part 2 of 4)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 2 of 4)
Sunday, 13 January 1493

I did not leave this anchorage because there was no land breeze. I would like to have left to get a better harbor because this place is somewhat exposed. Also, I wanted to observe the conjunction of the moon* with the sun, which is expected to occur on the 17^th of this month, as well as the conjunction of the moon with Mercury, and the opposition of both the moon and the sun to Jupiter, which is the cause of great winds.

(The astronomy is correct, except that Mars is omitted; it is Mars that is in conjunction with Mercury. Columbus obviously carried an astronomical table with him on the voyage.)

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * 13 January 1493 (Part 1 of 4)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus (Part 1 of 4)
Sunday, 13 January 1493


At dawn I saw the land; a cape that I named Cabo de Padre e Hijo (Father and Son Cape; now known as Punta Pescadores) because at the eastern end it has two small rocky points, one larger than the other. Six miles to the east I came to a large and very beautiful inlet between two great mountains and saw that it was a spacious harbor, well protected, with a very nice entrance. But it was quite early in the morning, and in order not to lose time (because most of the time the wind here blows from the east and one is carried NNW), I could not delay any longer. I continued on to the east as far as a very high and beautiful cape of jagged rock, which I named Cabo del Enamorado (Lover’s (Leap) Cape; now known as Cabo Cabron). This cape is 24 miles east of the harbor mentioned above, which I named Puerto Sacro (Sacred Port; now known as Puerto Escondido). Upon arriving at this cape, I discovered yet another, even more beautiful and higher and rounded, (The name is not formally mentioned in the Log until 16 January, but Columbus is referring to Cabo de San Theramo (Cape of Saint Theramo); now known as Cabo Samana), all rock, like the Cabo de San Vincente in Portugal. It is 9 miles east of Cabo del Enamorado. Between these two capes there is a large bay, (Bahia de Samana; now known as Golfo de las Flechas, as it was on the shores of this bay that Columbus and his men had their first skirmish with the Indians) 9 miles wide, in the middle of which there is a very tiny island. The water of the bay is quite deep right up to the land. I anchored here in 12 fathoms of water and sent the boat ashore for water and to see if my men could speak with the people, but they all fled. Another reason I anchored was to see if this land is part of the Isla Espanola, or if the two are separated by this bay. I am amazed to find that the Isla Espanola is so large.
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This picture of Cabo Enamorado/Cabo Cabron was found on the Internet

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * 12 January 1493

Taken from the Log of Columbus
Saturday, 12 January 1493

Before dawn I sailed to the east with a fresh breeze, making 15 miles by sunrise, and in the next two hours I went another 18 miles. From there I saw land to the south, at a distance of about 36 miles, and I made for it. I remained a safe distance from land and steered SSE this night for 21 miles.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Friday, 11 January 1493

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Friday, 11 January 1493

At midnight I departed the Rio de Gracia with a land breeze and sailed to the east as far as a cape that I named Bel Prado, a distance of 12 miles. To the SE from here is a mountain I named Monte de Plata* (Silver Mountain; now known as Pico Isabel de Torres) 24 miles away. About 14 miles* (Another league/mile transposition. The Log entry of 18 leagues (54 NM) is too great; 18 Columbian miles (about 14 NM) is close to the correct value.) from the Cabo de Bel Prado* (Beautiful Meadow Cape; now known as Punta Patilla) to the east by south is a cape I call Cabo del Angel* (Angel Cape; now known as Cabo Macoris). Extending from this cape to the Monte de Plata is a gulf and the best and most lovely lands in the world, all high with beautiful fields. These extend a long distance inland; beyond is a very high and beautiful mountain range, stretching from east to west. At the foot of the mountain there is a very good harbor, 14 fathoms deep at one entrance. Looming above it, the mountain is very high and beautiful. This area is well populated and must contain good rivers and much gold. Twelve miles from the Cabo del Angel to the east by south, there is a point, with I named Cabo del Hierro*(Iron Cape; now known as Punta Cabarete). Twelve miles farther I the same direction is a point I named Punta Seca,*(Dry Point; now known as Cabo de La Roca). 18 miles from there, still in the same direction, is Cabo Redondo*(Round Cape; possibly Cabo Tutinfierno). East of that is Cabo Frances* (French Cape; now known as Cabo Frances Viejo) on the east side of which is a large bay that does not appear to me to have an anchorage. Three miles from there is the Cabo del Buen Tiempo* (Cape of the Good Weather; now known as Cabo Tres Amarrras) and a long three miles from there to the south by east there is a cape I have named Cabo de Tajado* (Cape of the Flaked Rock; now known as Punta La Botella). South of this cape I saw another at a distance of about 45 miles. I made a great distance today because the winds and currents were favorable. I did not dare anchor for fear of the shoals so I beat about all night.
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This picture of Punta Cabarete was found on the Internet

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Thursday, 10 January 1493

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Thursday, 10 January 1493

I departed the place where I was anchored and at sunset reached a river that I named Rio de Gracia,* 9 miles to the SE. I found a good anchorage at its mouth, on the eastern side. The entrance is very narrow, and I discovered a bank where the water is only 2 fathoms deep. Within there is a good sheltered harbor, but there are a great many shipworms. The Pinta had remained here 16 days trading for gold, since that is what Martin Alonso desired, and had suffered severely from the worms. It was here that Martin Alonso learned from the Indians that I was on the coast of the Isla Espanola and that he could not avoid me, so he came to me. He wanted all the people on his ship to swear that he had only been there six days, but his wickedness is so well known that he cannot hide what happened. Martin Alonso had made a rule that he was to get half the gold that was traded for or obtained. And when he had to leave this river, he took four Indian men and two young girls by force. I ordered them clothed and returned to land so that they might go to their own houses. This is for the service of Your Highnesses because all the men and women on this island belong to you, as do those on the other islands. But here, where Your Highnesses already have a settlement, honor and favor must be shown to the people, since there is so much gold on this island and such good lands and so much spice.

*River of Grace (or Attractiveness); now known as Puerto Blanco

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Wednesday, 9 January 1492 (Part 2)

Taken from the Log of Columbus
Wednesday, 9 January 1492 (Part 2)

In this country there are many tortoises, the sailors captured some of them that had come ashore to lay their eggs at Monte Cristi. They are very large, like great wooden shields. Yesterday, when I was going to the Rio del Oro, I saw three sirens* that came up very high out of the sea. They are not as beautiful as they are painted, since I some way they have a face like a man. I have seen them on other occasions in Guinea on the coast of Manegueta.* Tonight, in the name of Our Lord, I will start on my journey without further delay for any reason, since I have found what I have sought. Also, I do not wish to have more trouble with this Martin Alonso until Your Highnesses learn the news of this voyage and what he has done. Then I will not suffer from the evil actions of persons without virtue, who, with little regard, presume to follow their own wills in opposition to those who did them honor.

*The common manatee, known is Spanish as sirena until the Taino word manatee came into use after Columbus, thence into English

*Malagueta Coast of Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Wednesday, 9 January 1492 (Part 1)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Wednesday, 9 January 1493 (Part 1 of 2)

At midnight I raised sails with the wind SE and sailed to the ENE. I reached a point I named Punta Roja,* which is exactly east of Monte Cristi some 45 miles. In the shelter of this point I anchored at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. I dared not depart from there at night because of the many reefs. After these reefs are investigated, they will be advantageous, since they all must have openings. The water inside is very deep and forms a secure anchorage against all winds. The land from Monte Cristi to which I am anchored is high and smooth, with attractive fields behind which are beautiful mountains extending from east to west. All these mountains are green and cultivated, and it is a wonderful thing to see their beauty. There are also many rivers.

*Red Point; now known as Punta Cabo Isabela (Picture of hamaka taken at Punta Cabo Isabela present day, was found on the Internet.)

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Tuesday, 8 January 1493 (Part 2 of 2)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Tuesday, 8 January 1493 (Part 2 of 2)

I took the boat and went to the river near here, a long 3 miles from Monte Cristi toward the SSW,* where the sailors were going to get water for the ship. At the mouth of the river, which is very wide and deep, I found that the sand was full of gold, in such quantity that it is wonderful, although it is in very small grains. I believe it crumbled into small pieces as it came down the river; although in a short space I found many grains the size of lentil seeds, more of them were very small. Since the sea was calm and the salt water mixed with the fresh, I ordered the boat to go up the river a stone’s throw. The men filled the barrels, and on the way to the ship they found little pieces of gold caught in the hoops of the barrels, and the same in the hoops of the casks. I named this El Rio del Oro.* It is very deep inside the entrance, although the entrance itself is shallow, and the mouth is very wide. It is 21 miles* from this river to the Villa de la Navidad. There are many other large rivers between here and the Villa de la Navidad, and three especially, which are larger than this one, must have more gold, although this river is almost as large as the Guadalquivir at Cordoba. From these rivers to the gold mines it is not 60 miles. I am not taking this sand which contains so much gold because Your Highnesses have it in your possession and at the door of your Villa de la Navidad. Besides, I want to return as soon as possible to bring the news and to rid myself of the bad companions I have. I have always said that they were a disobedient people.*


*SSE in the Log, an obvious error
*River of Gold; now known as Rio Yaque del Norte
*The Log gives 17 leagues, an obvious error for 7 leagues (21 NM).
*The “disobedient people” were mainly the “Pinzon clique,” mostly aboard the Pinta. The northern Spaniards on the Santa Maria were generally loyal, but Columbus felt tht those from Palos-Moguer-Huelva could not be trusted.
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This painting of the Yaque del Norte river was found on the Internet

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Tuesday, January 8, 1493 (Part 1 of 2)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Tuesday, 8 January 1493 (Part 1 of 2)

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 untrustworthy. 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.
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This picture of the Pinzon brothers statue was found on the Internet

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Monday, 7 January 1493

Today I ordered the Nina, which was leaking, to be pumped out and caulked.  I sent the sailors to land for wood, and they found a great quantity of mastic and aloe.
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This picture of mastic and mastic resin was found on the Internet

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Sunday, 6 January 1493 (Part 2)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Sunday, 6 January 1493 (Part 2)

An Indian, among those I had commended to Pinzon, told Pinzon that on the island of Babeque there was a great quantity of gold; since the Pinta was light and swift, he wished to withdraw and go by himself, leaving me. I wished, on the other had, to take my time and explore the coast of Juana (Cuba) and the Isla Espanola, since both of these were on a course to the east. After Pinzon went to Babeque the Indian told me that he found no gold. He then came to the coast of the Isla Espanola (which the Indians call Bohio) because other Indians told him that there was on this island a great amount of gold and many mines. Because of these circumstances he came within 45 miles of the Villa de la Navidad more than 20 days ago. Judging from this, it seems as though the news given by the Indians (on December 27^th) that they had seen the Pinta was true. It was on this account that King Guacanagari dispatched a canoe, and I sent a sailor with it, but the Pinta must have been gone by the time the canoe arrived.

The Pinta’s crew traded for a great deal of gold; for a piece of leather strap they were given good pieces of gold the size of two fingers, and at times as large as the hand. Pinzon took half and divided the other half among his people. So, Lords and Princes, I know that Our Lord miraculously ordered that the Santa Maria should remain here because it is the best place on the islands to make a settlement, and it is near the gold mines.

I learned that behind the island of Juana to the south there is another large island, on which there is a larger quantity of gold than on this one. There they find nuggets larger than beans; on this Isla Espanola the bits of gold taken from the mines are no larger than kernels of wheat. That island is called Yamaye.* I also learned that toward the east there is an island where the only inhabitants are women. I have heard this from many people. Further, I have learned that the Isla Espanola and Yamaye are distant from the mainland a 10 days’ journey in a canoe, which might mean 180 or 210 miles, and that the people there wear clothes.

*Since departing the fleet on 21 November, the Pinta had sailed to Babeque (Great Inagua Island) and thence to a location east of Monte Cristi on the island of Espanola.

*Jamaica. This is the first mention of the large island south of Cuba. It had the same Taino peoples and culture in 1492, and was first sighted by Columbus on May 4, 1494, during the second voyage.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Sunday, 6 January 1493 (Part 1)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Sunday, 6 January 1493 (Part 1)

This harbor is sheltered from all winds except those from the north and NW. These prevail very rarely in this country, and behind the small island refuge may be had even from these. The water is from 3 to 4 fathoms deep. After sunrise I made sail to go along the coast to the east, but it is necessary to watch out for many reefs and sandbars on this coast, although it is true that inside them there good harbors, as well as good approaches through their channels. After midday the wind blew strongly from the east, and I ordered a sailor to climb to the top of the mast to look out for shoals. He saw the Pinta approaching from the east,* and she came up to me. Because the water was so shallow, I was afraid to anchor, so I retraced my course 30 miles to Monte Cristi, and the Pinta went with me.

Martin Alonso Pinzon came aboard the Nina to apologize, saying that he had become separated against his will. He gave many reasons for his departure, but they are all false. Pinzon acted with greed and arrogance that night when he sailed off and left me, and I do not know why he has been so disloyal and untrustworthy toward me on this voyage. Even so, I am going to ignore these actions in order to prevent Satan from hindering this voyage, as he has done up until now.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Saturday, 5 January 1493

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Saturday, 5 January 1493

Just before sunrise I made sail with a land breeze. It then shifted and blew from the east and I saw to the SSE, between Monte Cristi and a small island, what appeared to be a good harbor in which to anchor tonight. I took the course to the ESE and then to the SSE, a distance of 18 miles; having accomplished this, I found the water 17 fathoms deep and very clear. I went for 9 miles with the same depth. Then it was only 12 fathoms as far as the head of the mountain; beyond the head, at a distance of 3 miles, I found the depth to be 9 fathoms and clear, the bottom all fine sand. I followed this route until I entered between the mountain and the small island, where the depth at low tide is 3 ½ fathoms. It is a very remarkable harbor and I anchored here.

I took the boat to the small island,* where I found a fire and signs that fishermen had been here. There I saw many colored rocks, like a rock quarry, very beautiful and formed naturally. They would be suitable for building churches or royal structures, and are like those I found on the island of San Salvadore. I also found on this small island many mastic tree roots.

Monte Cristi is very beautiful and high and accessible, and has a pretty shape. All this country near the mountain is low, forming a lovely plain, and the mountain is so tall that when one sees it from a distance it looks like an island. Beyond the mountain, 18 miles to the east, I saw a cape that I named Cabo del Bezerro.* Between Monte Cristi and the cape the reef extends seeward for 6 miles, although it seems to me that there are channels by which one could enter. Nevertheless, it is necessary to try this during the daytime, and a small boat must first make soundings. To the east of Monte Cristi, toward Cabo de Bezerro, the 12 miles is all beach, and the land is very low and beautiful. The rest of the land is very high, with beautiful and well-cultivated mountains. A range of mountains extends inland from the NW to the SE.* This is the most beautiful mountain range that I have ever seen, looking exactly like the mountains of Cordoba. Other very high mountains also may be seen in the distance to the south and SE, as well as very large valleys that are green and beautiful, and many rivers. All of this is so extensive and so delightful that I do not believe I am exaggerating by a thousandth part. To the east of the mountain range I saw another mountain similar to Monte Cristi in size and beauty. To the NE by east the land is not so high and must extend for 75 miles.

*The small island is Isla Cabra; Goat Island. The coored rocks are coral and a quarry of this description is found at the eastern end of Samana Cay, where an exposed ridge appears to be man-made.

*A spelling error in the Log for Becerro: Cape of the Calf; now known as Punta Rucia.

*The Log states “NE to SE.” The correct orientation is “NW to SE.”

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Friday, 4 January 1493

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Friday, 4 January 1493

At sunrise I weighed anchors in a light wind. I sent the small boat ahead on a course to the NW to get outside of the reef, using a wider channel than the one by which I had entered. This channel and others are very suitable for going to the Villa de la Navidad;* the least depth is 3 fathoms, and it ranges up to 9 fathoms. This channel extends from the NW to the SE along the reefs that extend from Cabo Santo* (Punta Santa) to Cabo de Sierpe,* a distance of more than 18 miles, and that reach out into the sea a good 3 miles* beyond Cabo Santo. Three miles beyond Cabo Santo the water is not more than 8 fathoms deep, and inside the cape to the east there are many shoals and channels to pass through. This entire coast extends NW and SE and is all beach, and the land is very level for a distance of 12 miles inland. After that there are very high mountains, and it is all well populated with large villages and good people, as we have seen.

I sailed to the east toward a very high mountain that looks like an island but is not. It is connected to the land by a low isthmus and is shaped like a very beautiful tent. I named this mountain Monte Cristi* and it is exactly east of Cabo Santo at a distance of about 24 miles. Since there was a very light wind today, I was only able to get within 18 miles of Monte Cristi. I found four very low, small, sandy islets with a reef projecting well out toward the NW and extending to the SE. Inside there is a large gulf that extends to the SE from the mountain a good 60 miles, and that seems to be very shallow and have many shoals. Inside this gulf, along the coast, there are many rivers that are not navigable, although the sailor I had sent with the Indians to look for the Pinta said that he had seen a river where ships could enter.

I anchored here for the night, 4 ½ miles from Monte Cristi* and in 19 fathoms of water, having put out to sea a little in order to avoid the many shoals and banks. Whoever is obliged to go to the Villa de la Navidad must take his bearing from Monte Cristi at a distance of 6 miles on the sea. I am certain that Japan is on this island and there is a great deal of gold and a great quantity of spices, mastic, and rhubarb.

*This is the first mention of the name of the village established by Columbus. Because it was founded on Christmas Day (Navidad means Nativity), its name is most fitting. For a more extensive discussion, see Epilogue.

*Punta Santa, already mentioned in the entry for 23 December
NOTE: (this entry can be found on the Taino ~ Indigenous People of the Caribbean face book page).

*Cape of the Serpent; now known as Pointe Yaquezi.

*The Log again confuses miles and leagues. In point of fact, the reefs are 3 miles offshore at this location.

*Christ Mountain. The name survives in the town of the same name. The Log states that Monte Cristi is 18 leagues (54 NM) from Cabo Santo. Another error: 8 leagues (not 18), or about 24 NM.

6. The Log entry “6 leagues,” again confuses leagues and miles. The correct reading is “6 Columbian miles, or 4 ½ NM.
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This photo of Monte Cristi was found on the Internet.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Thursday, 3 January 1493

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Thursday, 3 January 1493

I did not leave today because last night three of the Indians who had come with me from the other islands and remained here on land, reported to me that other Indians and their wives were coming today at sunrise. The sea had also changed somewhat, and the small boat could not go ashore. I determined to depart tomorrow, the grace of God permitting.

If I had the Pinta with me, I would certainly have obtained a cask of gold because I would have been willing to follow the coasts of these islands. But being alone, I would not dare risk this as I do not want anything to befall me and prevent my returning to Castile and informing the Sovereigns of everything I have found. If I were certain that the Pinta would reach Spain in safety with Martin Alonso Pinzon, I would not hesitate to continue the exploration. But because I do not know if this will happen, and since Pinzon would be able to lie to the Sovereigns to avoid the punishment he deserves for leaving me without permission and preventing all the good that might have come about and all that might have been learned at this time, I feel confident that Our Lord will give me good weather and everything will be remedied.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Wednesday, 2 January 1493 (Part 5)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Wednesday, 2 January 1493 (Part 5)


The Cacique demonstrated much love for me and great emotion over my departure, especially when he saw that I was ready to embark. A favorite of the King told me that he had ordered a stature of pure gold made as large as me and that at the end of 10 days they were to bring it to me. I embarked, with the intention of departing then, but the wind would not allow me to do so.

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This picture was found on the Internet.  If Columbus were about 5'11" tall and 210 pounds, how much do you think a life-size gold statue of him would be worth today?

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Wednesday, 2 January 1493 (Part 4)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Wednesday, 2 January 1493 (Part 4)

Many times I charged Diego de Arana, Pedro Gutierrez, and Rodrigo de Escobedo to see that everything was well ruled and governed for the service of God and Your Highnesses. I gathered my men together, the ones I was leaving, and addressed them.

First, I charged them to consider the great blessings that God has bestowed upon me and upon all of them up until now, and the benefits he has offered them, for which they must always give Him endless thanks and dedicate themselves to His goodness and mercy, taking care not to offend Him and placing all their hope in Him. They must pray to Him for my return, which, with His aid, I promised them would be as soon as possible - which, I trust to God, would please everyone.

Second, I begged them and charged them and ordered them, on the part of Your Highnesses, to obey their Captain as myself, as I am confident of his merit and loyalty.

Third, they should greatly respect King Guacanagari and his chiefs and principal men, or Nitaino, and other inferior chiefs. And they should avoid as they would death annoying or tormenting the Indians, bearing in mind how much they owe these people, and why it is necessary to keep them content, since they are remaining in Indian land and under Indian dominion. They should strive, by their honest and gentle speech, to gain the good will of the Indians, keeping their friendship and love, so that our relationship with them will be as friendly and pleasant, and more so, when I return.

Fourth, I ordered them and begged them earnestly to do no injury or use any force toward any Indian - man or woman - nor take from them anything against their will. Especially, they should be on guard and avoid doing injury or using violence toward the women, by which they would cause scandal and set a bad example for the Indians, and expose our own infamy, we whom the Indians are certain come from Heaven.

Fifth, I charged them not to scatter themselves or go inland, but to stay together until I return, and most of all, not to leave the land and dominion of that King who loves them so much and has been so good and merciful to them.

Sixth, I encouraged them to suffer their solitude, which is only a little less than exile, although they have willingly chosen it.

Seventh, I charged them that, when they saw it was fitting, to beg the King to send some Indians with them in canoes, and to take the ship’s boat along the coast to see if they could discover the mines of gold, for it seems to me that the gold comes from the east. Also, they should look for a good place to build a village because I am not pleased with this harbor. Further, if they find any gold they can barter for, they should do so, discreetly, so that when I return I shall find a great quantity of it.

Eighth, and last, I promised that I would petition the Sovereigns to grant them special favors, which they truly merit, and which they will see fulfilled when they are rewarded by the Sovereigns and, with the favor of God, by me when I return.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Wednesday, 2 January 1493 (Part 3)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Wednesday, 2 January 1493 (Part 3)

I have left with them all the merchandise which the Sovereigns had ordered purchased for trading, of which there is a large quantity. With this they may trade and barter for gold, together with everything the grounded ship carried. I also left them sufficient biscuits for a year and wine and much artillery. I also left the ship’s boat, since most of them are sailors, so they can go find the gold mine when they see that the time is favorable. In this manner, when I return, I might find a lot of gold waiting and a place to establish a settlement, for this harbor is not to my liking. Since the gold that is brought here comes from the east, the more they went to the east the closer to Spain they would be. I also left seeds for sowing, and I left my officers, including the secretary and the master-at-arms, and among the others a ship’s carpenter, a caulker, a good gunner who knows a great deal about machines, a cask maker, a physician, and a tailor. All these men are also seamen.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Wednesday, 2 January 1493 (Part 2)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Wednesday, 2 January 1493 (Part 2)

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 have received from the Sovereigns, in full. Next in line, if something should happen to him, is his lieutenant, Pedro Gutierrez, the representative of the Royal Household. Next in the line of succession is the lieutenant Rodrigo de Escobedo, secretary of the fleet and a native of Segovia, nephew of the friar Juan Perez.

Roster of the men left behind at La Navidad:


Cristóbal del Alamo
Diego de Arana, Master-at-arms of fleet, Captain at La Navidad
Francisco de Aranda
Gabriél Baraona
Juan del Barco
Domingo de Bermeo, cooper
Pedro Cabacho
Diego de Capilla
Castillo, silversmith
Juan de Cueva
Rodrigo de Escobedo, Secretary of fleet, Lieutenant at La Navidad
Francisco Fernández
Gonzalo Fernández (from Segovia)
Gonzalo Fernández de Segovia (from Leon)
Pedro de Foronda
Diego García
Francisco de Godoy
Jorge González
Pedro Gutiérrez, representative of royal household, Lieutenant
Francisco de Henao
Guillermo Ires (William Harris or William Penrise, from Ireland)
Antonio de Jaén
Francisco Jiménez
Martín de Lograsan
Alvar Pérez Osorio
Juan Patiño
Diego de Mambles
Sebastián de Mayorga
Alonso Vélez de Mendoza
Diego de Mendoza
Juan de Mendoza
Diego de Montalban
Juan Morcillo
Hernando de Porcuna
Tristán se San Jorge
Pedro de Talavera
Bernandino de Tapia
Diego de Tordoya
Diego de Torpa
Juan de Urniga
Francisco de Vergara
Juan de Villar

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Wednesday, 2 January 1493 (Part 1)

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Wednesday, 2 January 1493 (Part 1)

I went ashore this morning to take leave of King Guacanagari and to depart in the name of the Lord. I gave the King one of my shirts and showed him the force of the lombards and their effect. For this purpose, I ordered one loaded and fired at the side of the Santa Maria, which was aground. This all came about as a result of a conversation about the Caribes, with whom they were at war. The King saw how far the Lombard shot reached and how it passed through the side of the ship. I also had the people from the ship fight a mock battle with their arms, telling the Cacique not to fear the Caribes if they came. I did all this so that the King would consider those I am leaving as friends, and also that he might fear them. The King escorted me and the men with me to his house to eat with him.

Excerpt from: The Log of Christopher Columbus * Tuesday, 1 January 1493

Taken from The Log of Christopher Columbus
Tuesday, 1 January 1493

At midnight I sent a boat to the island of Amiga to fetch the rhubarb. It returned at vespers with a basketful. They did not bring more because they did not carry a spade with them to dig it. I am carrying what they brought to the Sovereigns as a specimen. The King of this country has sent many canoes for gold. The sailor who had been sent with the Indian canoe to look for the Pinta returned without finding anything. This sailor told me that at a distance of 15 miles from there he had seen a king who wore upon his head two large gold plates, and when the Indians in the canoe spoke to him he took them off; the sailor said he also saw other persons with a great deal of gold. I think that King Guacanagari has prohibited everyone from trading gold to us, so that it might all pass through his hands. But I have learned about places where there is so much gold that they do not assign a price to it. I have also learned where there are spices in large quantities, worth more than pepper or allspice. The people remaining here have been ordered to obtain as much of these as they can.
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This photo of Anacaona was found on the Internet.  We can only guess if this is the sort of headpiece  the sailor said he saw a Taino king wearing on his head.