A Book About Colmubs

De Las Casas

Like all captains of ships, Columbus also kept a log book in which he recorded the distance traveled each day, compass directions, weather and other essential navigation details. He also wrote down his thoughts and impressions about his companions and places visited. The original logbook was presented to the King and Queen of Spain after his return. He also had a copy which was handed to his sons. This copy was read by a priest called Bartholomew De Las Casas. Las Casas had devoted his life to exposing the cruel behaviour of the Spanish in the empire they established in the ‘New World’. His book called “The History of the Indies” contains an account of the exploration of the American continent till 1520 and included a summary of the log entered by Columbus. The book contained a word-for word account off details from the log while describing important events. It is from this source that all future accounts of the voyage have been derived.

Friday, August 3rd

We set out at 8 o’clock and travelled with a strong breeze 60 miles, that is to say 15 leagues, to the south before sunset. Afterwards, we changed course to south-west by south, making for the Canary Islands.

Monday, August 6th

The rudder of the Pinta slipped from its socket, this was said to be the doing of Gomez Rascon and Christobal Quintero, the owners of the ship. The Admiral says that before they sailed, these men had been grumbling and making difficulties.

On August 9th, the expedition reached the Canary Islands. Repairs were carried out on the Pinta and meat, wood, water and other provisions were prepared for a voyage of 28 days although Columbus had estimated that the voyage would take 21 days.

Sunday September 9th

He made 15 leagues this day and decided to report a smaller amount so that the crews should not take fright or lose courage if the voyage were too long.

This pattern of reporting less distance than that actually travelled continues, as noted...