by Andrew Rowen | | Lucayan Islands, Sea of Darkness
Crew on the Santa María clamored for retreat, but the ships sailed on. Unknown to Columbus and crews, they were approaching the eastern side of the Bahamian archipelago. Taínos living in the modern Bahamas were referred to as Lucayans, meaning “island people.” They...
by Andrew Rowen | | Lucayan Islands, Sea of Darkness
At about 2:00 a.m., a seaman serving lookout on the Pinta shouted that land was to the northwest, and the Pinta’s lombard was discharged. Sailors on the three ships cried, embraced, and sang a hymn to the Virgin Mary for watching over them. The ships quartered...
by Andrew Rowen | | Lucayan Islands
Columbus sailed southwest from Guanahaní to search for Japan and gold. The map below—drawn for Encounters Unforeseen—shows the Taíno Caribbean which Columbus would explore, with Taíno names for islands. Before departing Guanahaní, Columbus abducted seven Guanahanían...
by Andrew Rowen | | Lucayan Islands
The ships anchored off the island the Taínos called Manigua (the modern Rum Cay). Soon, two of the Guanahaníans jumped overboard and escaped.
by Andrew Rowen | | Lucayan Islands, Spain
Columbus wrote his Journal as a report to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. On October 17, he indicated in the Journal that he was sailing in the “Indies” (as he had promised them) and referred to the Taínos as “Indians.” Isabella and Ferdinand approach Barcelona,...
by Andrew Rowen | | Lucayan Islands
The Guanahanían captives inform Columbus of two large islands to the south, Cuba and Haiti. Columbus then believes Cuba must be Japan.
