Advertise in this article

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

Born about 1436 — Died 1506

 

 

 

 

 

They sailed. They sailed.

Then spake the mate:

"This mad sea shows his teeth tonight.

He curls his lip, he lies in wait

With lifted teeth as if to bite.

Brave Admiral, say but one good word:

What shall we do when hope is gone?"

The words leapt like a leaping sword:

"Sail on! Sail on! Sail on! And on! "

 

Then, pale and worn, he kept his deck,

And pierced through darkness.

Oh, that night Of all dark nights.

And then a speck —

A light! A light! A light! A light!

 

It grew, a starlit flag unfurled.

It grew to be Time's burst of dawn.

He gained a world; he gave that world

Its grandest lesson: On! Sail on!

— JOAQUIN MILLER'S "Columbus”

 

WE have now come to the time when Columbus was to make his bold venture — that great voyage in 1492 which led to the discovery of our New World. In order to understand how he came to undertake it, we must learn of the condition of affairs in Europe at that time.

 Hundreds of years ago people in Italy, Spain, Portugal, England, and France were beginning to take a new interest in travel and commerce. This was largely due to the invention of printing, which made it easier to obtain books. Reading thus became more general, and the printed stories of other lands, such as Marco Polo's book, aroused interest and a desire for further knowledge.

 This newly awakened interest was due also to the invention of the mariner's compass, an instrument which enables seamen always to know the direction in which they are sailing. The compass is a magnetized bar of steel, called the needle, with its center resting on an upright pivot. The pivot is secured to the bottom of a round box, which is provided with a glass top to protect the needle.

 As the needle always points to the north, mariners are able to tell the direction in which they are sailing, and to steer their ships in the proper course. With the aid of the compass, and with a map giving a picture of the land and water on the earth's surface, a sailor felt well equipped for his voyage.

 So it came about that the nations grew more interested in far-away countries, and in the exchange of goods between other lands and their own. They were eager to seize every opportunity to travel, and to find new routes between Europe and Asia. Above all, they were anxious to find a new and easier way to India and China, whence caravans had for many years brought jewels, costly shawls, silks, spices, and ivory.

 Genoa and Venice were the two great commercial centers of Italy. They sent each year into the East large quantities of laces, velvets, corals, and other goods. There were three routes of travel: one by way of the Black and Caspian seas, another through Syria and the Persian Gulf, and a third by way of the Red Sea.

 But when Constantinople fell into the hands of the robber Turks, these dangerous people closed many of the old roads of travel. Europe then found herself cut off from the rich eastern trade.

 Portugal was one of the first countries to try to find a way that would be free from the Turks. These plunderers had no conscience about waylaying men engaged in carrying goods across the continent, and would steal everything they could lay hands upon. Prince Henry of Portugal, the Prince of Navigators, encouraged the men of his fleet to take their ships farther and farther from the shore. The superstitious sailors, however, brought back only weird tales that helped to deepen the old dread of the "Sea of Darkness," as the Atlantic was then called. No man had ever crossed this ocean, and it was supposed to be peopled with dragons and monsters.

 While this was the fear among sailors and uneducated people, a few scholars were gradually coming to the conclusion that the earth was round. "We believe," they said, "that by sailing in a westerly direction from Europe, India may be reached." This, they knew, had been the belief of ancient Greek philosophers, and they had themselves seen ships disappear from view beyond the horizon.

 But even the wisest of these men, among whom was the astronomer Toscanelli, had no idea that the whole American continent lay in the supposed path to India. Nor did they believe the world to be anything like so large as it is. When Columbus set out on his voyage he expected to find India only about twenty-five hundred miles away.

 Before we sail with Columbus on his long dreary voyage that was to be of such far-reaching importance to the world, let us see how his boyhood and youth had fitted him for so great an undertaking.

 Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, in the year 1436. His father was a wool-comber. As was common with lads reared in cities by the sea, Columbus showed in his early years a love for the water, and a desire for a seaman's life. In his boyhood he liked to draw, and his father had him taught geography, geometry, astronomy, and navigation.

 At the age of fourteen Columbus entered upon his life on the ocean, but we must not get the idea that, because he spent so few years at school, he then ceased to study. His liking for geography led him to give to books and maps every leisure hour that he could find throughout his busy life.

 His first voyages were made with a distant relative, a hardy, daring sea-captain, who found that the boy conducted himself with great credit, showing fearlessness and good sense. Soon tales of Prince Henry's expeditions attracted Columbus to Portugal.

 By this time Columbus had grown to manhood. He was tall and well-formed, with ruddy complexion, gray eyes, and light hair. He was strong in muscle, dignified and courteous in manner, and deeply religious. It was not long before he married the daughter of an Italian cavalier who had won distinction under Prince Henry. They had one son whom they named Diego.

 He went on various sea-trips to the coast of Guinea, but spent all his hours of leisure in drawing maps and charts. This occupation led him to exchange letters with learned men, among whom was Toscanelli. These letters showed Columbus that the wisest geographers and astronomers believed, as did he himself, that the earth was round, and this belief kept alive his interest in exploration.

 Gradually Columbus gave himself up to the one great idea of finding India by sailing westward from Europe. Stories have been told of voyages that he made to Iceland, where he heard of Leif's discovery of Vinland; but the truth of these tales never has been proved. Even if they were true, Columbus would probably have paid no attention to the fact that Leif had discovered new land with a few savages upon it. He was in search of a short route to India and China, the land of gold and precious stones.

 But how was Columbus to accomplish this great undertaking? He was poor, and a large sum of money was needed. He was so confident of success, however, that he laid his plans before King John of Portugal, who heard them with patience and called a council of learned men to discuss them. But these men came to the conclusion that the Italian's idea was very foolish and deserved no serious attention.

 Columbus now turned his back upon Portugal and with his little son Diego set out for Spain, where he- tried to interest wealthy nobles in his plans. Meantime he had sent his brother to England and to France to beg aid from the kings of those countries, but they gave him no encouragement. Columbus was now in great poverty; for he had devoted all his time to his great exploring schemes, and had earned no money for the support of his family.

 At last a rich Spanish duke advised Columbus to seek aid of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella; he gave Columbus a letter to the Queen, in which he urged her to give careful attention to Columbus's request.

 The Spaniards were at this time engaged in fighting the Moors, and so it happened that, although Ferdinand and Isabella listened to Columbus's plans, they were in no haste to act upon them. They called together some of the most scholarly men in the country to talk with him, but, while a few were convinced, others laughed at his ideas and said he was not in his right mind. This opinion became general. When Columbus passed through the streets, even the children would point their fingers to their foreheads, to indicate that he was a madman.

 And so seven weary years of waiting passed. At last, hungry, foot-sore, and heartsick, Columbus set out for France; but he had gone only a short distance when he was bidden to return. While King Ferdinand still frowned upon him, Queen Isabella had decided to give his plans a trial. At a meeting of the court she exclaimed, "I undertake the enterprise for my own crown of Castile, and will pledge my jewels to raise the necessary funds."

 The one great desire of Columbus's life was fulfilled, and he at last set sail from the port of Palos, on August 3, 1492. His fleet was composed of three small vessels, called caravels.

 The largest, the Santa Maria, was about ninety feet long and twenty feet wide. The other two were the Pinta, and the Nina or "Baby." While these boats were larger than those of the Northmen, it is doubtful whether they were as strong. They were open, with deck amidships, built high at the prow and stern, with cabins for the crew.

 Ninety persons in all set out with Columbus on that memorable voyage, and only with the greatest difficulty had these few been persuaded to go. It was the general belief that they were sailing to certain death on the wild unknown waters. Columbus sailed first for the Canary Islands, where he was obliged to remain for three weeks while the caravels were being repaired.

  

On the 6th of September the fleet made a fresh start, and through the remainder of the month the little boats held steadily on their westward course. Never had the firm, persevering spirit of Columbus been put to so severe a test; for, as the weeks went by without sight of land, the men grew more restless and finally desperate. They begged Columbus to return to Spain, and when he refused they plotted to get rid of him. "He is crazy," they said, "and we are probably lost. Let us throw him overboard and try to find our way home."

 

"My men grow mutinous day by day;

My men grow ghastly wan and weak."

 

The stout mate thought of home;

a spray Of salt wave washed his swarthy cheek.

 

"What shall I say, brave Admiral, say,

If we sight naught but seas at dawn?"

"Why, you shall say at break of day,

Sail on ! sail on sail on! and on! "

 

But what are those objects on the top of the waves? A branch of shrubbery with berries upon it, and a stick that has been cut with some sharp instrument. They must have floated from some near-by shore. Land must be near All eyes were eagerly strained, and on the evening of October 11 a light was seen in the distance. By daybreak land was in sight.

 Early on the morning of October 12, 1492, the admiral, with several of his men, went ashore. Columbus, attired in a rich red robe, proudly planted the flag of Spain on the island on which they had landed. He named it San Salvador (Holy Savior) and claimed possession in the name of the king and queen. He wept for joy and kissed the soil, and, kneeling, thanked God for success.

 Soon the voyagers were surrounded by naked savages, who though frightened and curious were at the same time friendly and gentle. Columbus gave them glass beads and other bright-colored trifles, which they joyfully hung 'around their necks.

 They never had seen any boats except their own canoes, and they thought the Spanish ships, with masts and sails, were white-winged birds or sea-monsters, and that the strange men had come down from heaven. In the belief that he had reached the East Indian islands, Columbus called the natives Indians. He was, in fact, only a short distance from the Florida coast, on one of the Bahama islands.

 The happy sailors were greatly impressed by the rich fruits and foliage of this new land, and particularly pleased at the sight of the gold trinkets which the Indians wore. They were now ashamed of their behavior during the voyage, and of the anxiety they had caused their admiral; so they gathered around him and begged forgiveness.

 During the next few weeks Columbus explored the coasts, but trouble was in store for him. One morning the Pinta, the swiftest vessel of the fleet, was missing; and worse still, the Santa Maria, while cruising along the coast, ran aground on a sand bank and was wrecked.

 Not all of the men could return to Spain on the little Nina, so from the wreck of the Santa Maria and other timber a rude fort was built. As much provision as could be spared was left in the fort.

 For the rest, the men trusted to fruit and game, and to the kindness of the natives, to keep them alive until Columbus should return. The sailors who were going back to Spain crowded into the Nina, and in January, 1493, they began the homeward voyage. Columbus was surprised two days later at sighting the Pinta, whose commander had been trading with the Indians for his own profit. To explain his bad conduct he said he had been carried out to sea by the winds.

 When the two little vessels reached the harbor of Palos, great was the rejoicing. Business was suspended, bells were rung, and in triumph Columbus was borne to the church, where thanks were offered for the safe return of the navigators. The king and queen received Columbus with great ceremony and showered honors upon him. They were delighted with the tales he had to tell of the new island, and with the strange birds and fruits and native Indians that he had brought back.

 Men who had laughed at Columbus now begged to be taken with him on a voyage. In September, 1493, a second fleet was ready. This time there were seventeen ships carrying fifteen hundred men. Again the discoverer sailed westward, expecting to join those left behind in the little fort at San Salvador. But, alas! he found the fort in ruins. Not a trace of the Spaniards was to be seen.

 A colony named San Domingo was now established on the island of Haiti, and Porto Rico and Jamaica were discovered. Then Columbus returned to arrange for a fresh voyage of discovery, and soon Spain sent more men and ships to San Domingo.

 On his third voyage, in 1498, Columbus discovered the mainland of South America, which also he supposed to be Asia. But why could he not find the treasures of India and China? And where was the Great Khan to whom Ferdinand and Isabella had written the letter which Columbus was to present?

 The king and queen now grew impatient over the delay in finding the short, safe route to the rich eastern countries. This was the one thing they had expected Columbus to accomplish; for they thus hoped to gain great wealth.

Poor, brave Columbus! He had enjoyed a brief period of triumph, but during his last years he was to know nothing but sorrow. Many were jealous of him because of the great respect that the king and queen had shown him. "What he has discovered is of no use to anyone," said his enemies. "He has brought back none of the treasures he went to seek, and the colony of San Domingo is only a source of expense."

 Soon quarrels arose among the colonists. One day while Columbus, who acted as governor, was away exploring the coast, a ship hastily set sail for Spain. It carried letters to Ferdinand and Isabella containing false stories of harsh treatment received at the hands of Columbus. The king immediately sent over a messenger, named Bobadilla, to investigate the affairs of the colony, and to help restore order and good feeling.   But Bobadilla wanted the office of governor for himself, so he seized Columbus and sent him back to Spain, a prisoner in chains. At the same time he sent to the king and queen a letter in which many untrue statements were made.

When the great discoverer was brought to the court in irons, good Queen Isabella broke into tears and sobbed. She had Columbus released at once, and in 1502 sent him out on a fourth exploring expedition.

But misfortune continued to follow him. Tornado after tornado burst upon his ships and threatened them with destruction. He explored the coast of Central America, fighting fierce gales for many weeks. After one of his vessels had been wrecked and he was reduced almost to starvation, he managed to reach San Domingo. The broken-hearted discoverer sailed for Spain a few weeks later.

The death of Isabella was a sad blow to Columbus. Ferdinand looked coldly upon his claims to the land and money that had been promised him. Hardship, toil, and anxiety had undermined the great navigator's health, and he died at Valladolid, poor and neglected, on May 20, 1506. He never knew that he had discovered a new world, or dreamed that his fame would survive as long as America endures. He had failed to find a passage to the rich countries of the East, and men forgot him, or remembered him only to ridicule him.

It was not until long years afterward that Europe learned of the size and form of the great continent of America, and realized the debt owed to Columbus. Through his discoveries Spain was to reap enormous wealth in gold and silver, and to acquire new lands; and France, England, and Holland were to plant colonies on this fresh soil.

After the death of Columbus one of his friends, Americus Vespucius, a merchant of Florence, was sent by the king of Portugal to the new land Columbus had found. Vespucius sailed along the coast of South America and, after a voyage made in 1501, published an account of what he had seen. This written description of the New World led to naming the country America. It would have been more properly called Columbia.

columbus
Download the worksheets and text for this unit here. Must be logged in to download.
10-24-2010  459.89 KB 108