Christopher Columbus was an adventurous man. He was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451. He is best know for discovering the Bahama Islands. Some say he discovered America, which he called San Salvador.

Christopher Columbus loved the sea especially in his early years. Christopher Columbus’ family made pottery for a living. When Columbus decided to explore, he left his son named Diego with the monks. When Columbus was 40 years old he wanted to go on his journey to prove that the world was round. He had already been on several long voyages. Before his famous voyage to the Indies, he had a job at a map making shop. Queen Elizabeth and King Ferdanan sponsored his trip. When he sailed to the Indies, he found Native Americans. He was a very mean captain. He scolded anyone who said “What did you say?” or “Say that again?” He threatened to hang anyone who disobeyed his orders. He had only three ships on this voyage, the NIna, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. He was the first European to step on new land in 1492. He sailed back to Spain to tel the Queen of his discoveries. He left behind thirty-nine men.

In June 1493 Christopher made a second trip to the Indies. He had 17 ships this time. He had 12,000 men (sea men and colonizers),five personal servants, six priests to convert the natives, a pack of attack dogs in case of emergency, and fifty horses to carry the men to and from the gold mines. At 10 o’ clock on the evening of November 27, they arrived at Hisppaniola, expecting a grand reunion with the thirty-nine men left behind. Then when they got there no one was there where their fort was. It was gone! No lights, nothing! When he fired a signal no one answered. When he went ashore the next morning,they found every thing burned, the spaniards DEAD. The men must have gotten angry and tried to kill everyone. The King of the Natives helped the Spaniards. Three thousand men were all angry. Christopher was one of those who believed that the next day will be better, but everything went wrong. On the next two islands he did find some gold.

On May 30,1498, Columbus left on his third voyage. On that voyage he found Trinidad so he had really found South America.

In 1502 Vasco da Gama was exploring it again but he took the long way around the world and so did Columbus. He was making his forth voyage. This trip was the “High Voyage”. Perhaps this was his last chance to get to the Indies. There where twenty-one days of smooth sailing all in a row there where twenty-one clear nights . Every star was in place. Then a hurricane appeared. He was near a harbor. The governor said there was no storm. Columbus didn’t care how much sea was between the harbor and his destination. He went for it. Columbus made it to his destination.

On April 6, 1503, a force of 400 natives attacked the Spaniard’s fort, so Columbus left for Jamaica. Once they got there Columbus had to calm down his crew (half of them wanted to mutiny.) Columbus left for Spain and again there was bad weather at sea so he got there on November 7, 1504. Columbus was now 53. He never got to tell Queen Isabella. She died on November 26 three weeks after his arrival. His dream of brave deeds faded with the Queen’s death.

In 1506 Christopher died sadly and frustrated because he didn’t find India.

Bibliography

1. In their own words Christopher Columbus., Peter and Connie Roop. Scholastic: 2001

2. If you were their in 1492 everyday life of Christopher Columbus., Barbara Brenner. Scholastic: 1999.

3. Great Mysteries The Discovery of America., Renaldo Barrens. Random House: 1999.

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