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”Blackbirds tend to like shiny objects”
From the Journal of Christopher 'the Chump' Columbus
Columbus was appointed Admiral in the Royal Navy and after his arrival to the Port of Palos de la Frontera he ordered the Port Authority to IMPRESS three ships and crews to fulfill the royal expedition’s needs when volunteers were not forthcoming and the promise of a Regular Naval Salary. Time became short.
The Port Authorities impressed two small Caravel class ships; the Nina and the Pinta. A third ship that happened to be available at the port was a larger 30+ year old, 60 foot long Carrack or Nao class vessel named The Gallega, Columbus had this ship Impressed into service and renamed it…The Santa Maria!
WThe Owner and Master of the newly renamed ‘Santa Maria’ is believed to be a fellow by the name of Juan de la Cosa, a distinguished navigator, businessman and geographer. However, Columbus’ tyrannical approach set the tone for strained professional relations throughout the entire voyage.
Now I can also understand the reluctance of the men of Palos de la Frontera unwilling to sign on to this expedition where they would sail into unknown waters and dangers, no guarantee of finding anything of worth even if it was shared at all with the crews. Exploration is often not profitable. And as far as most knew at the time, the ships could suddenly fall off the edge of the earth never to return. Regular Cargo contracts pay good wages, regular trade routes are well-known, and profit was there. Columbus’ sales pitch wasn’t convincing and more like a man that was ‘Full of it.’
RIn proper Naval tradition the role of Admiral and Captains had clear distinct roles within a flotilla, Columbus often overstepping his position, and it wasn’t long until the Captain and crew often answered cooperatively and at times created a sense of mutiny even before the expedition launched into waters unknown.
The expedition sailed first to the Canary Islands that belonged to the Spanish kingdom of Castile before setting their heading westward. After 5 weeks, in the very wee hours of October 12th the lookout of the Pinta sighted land but Columbus maintained that he saw it first to claim the prized Lifetime pension of Ferdinand and Isabella as the first person to sight land. Hmmm…Smells like bul….
WColumbus named the island San Salvador we now call The Bahamas and there, Columbus may have decided to search more for gold as he had observed the Native inhabitants wearing gold jewelry and inquired often, and in many cases forcibly. He then began taking prisoners for the return trip back to Spain. October 28 the expedition landed on Cuba exploring the northwest coast. He continued along the north coast of Hispaniola, now known as Haiti, on December 5 and on December 25th Christmas day the Santa Maria was run aground.
1In the late hours the fatigued Admiral and the Steersman slept leaving the inexperienced Cabin boy to steer the ship until the Santa Maria gently plowed into the Hispaniola sandbank. Columbus rejected Captain Juan’s plan to have the other ships pull the Santa Maria off the sandbank, instead ordered the ship dismantled and abandoned building a fort establishing the settlement of La Navidad, present day Bord de Mer de Limonade.
1Warning, strong language ahead!
I can imagine the heated conversation carrying on between Columbus and Juan de la Cosa on the crowded Nina like this,
Cosa: "El burro sabe mas gue tu!" “Donkeys know more than you!”
Columbus: "Li mortacci tua!” “You’re dead bastard ancestors.”
Cosa: "Me cago en tu madre!" ” I shit on your mother."
Columbus: "Sei una testa di cazzo!" “You're a dickhead!”
Cosa: "No seas gilipollas!" “Don't be a dick!"
Columbus: "Non hai capito una sega!" “You don't understand shit.”
Cosa: "Métetelo por el culo!" "Stick it up your ass!"
Columbus: "Sei una sfigata!" You're a loser!”
And so on... Tsk tsk tsk
Columbus eventually demoted Captain Juan on the return trip back to Spain on the remaining two ships leaving 39 men behind at La Navidad. I can feel for this man’s sorry lot and getting the strong impression with Columbus as an individual driven by wealth fame and fortune was a man just ‘Full of it!’ Columbus’ journal practically pins all the blame on Captain Juan as he never got adequate restitution for the loss of his ship. Captain Juan's name was struck from the journal in spite as to not allow his name to enter into history.
It is such a sad end to a famous ship. Turning the coin
1And for those that are also attracted to colorful Paper currency!
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1I hope you enjoyed this coin feature, thank you for stopping by for a look.
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The Bahamas' motto was ‘Expulsis Piratis Restituta Commercia’ means ‘Pirates Expelled, Commerce Restored’. Piracy ended in the Bahamas as the new British Governor of the Bahamas established order in 1718.
The only record of Christopher Columbus’ his 1492 voyage submitted to the King of Spain is no longer exists but preserved as an abstract by the 16th century historian Bartolomé de la Casas but this document is fraught with errors. While this article is largely sourced from Wiki there may be liberally interpretation of the events.
R“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”
