Historia de España: El Descubrimiento de América

Key Concepts:

• Christopher Columbus's voyage to find a west path to the Indies.
• The three ships: La Pinta, La Niña, and Santa Maria.
• The crew composition and their attire.
• The discovery of Guanahani (an island in the Bahamas).
• Formal inauguration of the island on behalf of the King and Queen of Spain.

The Voyage Begins:

On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus departed from the port of Palos with three ships and approximately ninety men. The objective was to discover a westward route to the Indies. The expedition made a stop at the Canary Islands before heading west.

The Ships:

The fleet consisted of two caravels and one nao, equipped with provisions for one year.

• La Pinta: Owned by Gomez Rascón and Cristóbal Quintero. The circumstances of its acquisition (seized or leased) are unclear. Pinzon captained it and was known for taking the lead.
• La Niña: Originally named Santa Clara, it belonged to Juan Niño from Moguer and was funded by the people of Palos. It was considered the best seafaring vessel of the three.
• Santa Maria: Also known as La Gallega, it was owned by Juan de la Cosa from Santoña. Columbus acquired it while it was chartered in Rio Tinto for a trade mission. Columbus described it as heavy and "unfit for the job of discovering."

All three ships were well-matched, sturdily built, and properly equipped.

The Crew:

The sailors were a diverse group, hired and paid by the Crown. They were sailors, not soldiers, and wore a blusón, a wool hat, and went barefoot.

Discovery of Guanahani:

On October 12, 1492, at two hours after midnight, land was sighted. It was an island called Guanahani.

Formal Inauguration:

In the daylight, Columbus and some of his men landed on the island. Columbus conducted a formal ceremony to inaugurate the island in the name of the King and Queen of Spain.

Columbus's Unknow Discovery:

Unknowingly to Columbus, he had discovered a new world.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

Christopher Columbus's voyage, initiated on August 3, 1492, led to the discovery of Guanahani on October 12, 1492. The expedition, consisting of the ships La Pinta, La Niña, and Santa Maria, aimed to find a westward route to the Indies but instead resulted in the discovery of a new world. The crew, a diverse group of sailors, played a crucial role in this historic event.