The Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus

The Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus  

(by his son Hernando Colon and other historians) 

Edited and translated by J.M. Cohen

Originally, I thought this would be a translation of Christopher Columbus’ logbook, covering his four voyages to “the New World,” but it is actually a rewritten account of the logbook, given by Columbus’ son, Hernando Colon.  The original document is missing or lost forever.

The translation was an easy read, and I learned a few things.  For example, given that Columbus was insistent that he had found a new way to the Asiatic continent, how aesthetically picturesque the environment was, and given its high point on the earth, he was confident that the Paradise Garden must be located somewhere in the proximity; after all, the Bible cited it to be “in the East.”  Columbus believed that the earth was actually a pear in shape; that is why he referred to the area as “high” on the earth or closest to the sun.

A speculative idea was that these Caribbean islands had been discovered by Spain, prior to Columbus, and that he, Columbus, would only be restoring them to Spain’s governance once he arrived and Christianize the natives and brought them under obedience to the King and Queen.  

It is difficult for me to leave off my opinion as to why Columbus instigated this voyage because it was more than just a quest for land, power, and riches.  It took profound courage and superior knowledge to take on this dangerous enterprise; he was a master navigator of the sea and sky.  It also took seven discouraging years to convince anyone to support his outlandish claim that he could find a more direct and less dangerous route to the Indies by going west into “unchartered waters.”  

Eventually, King Ferdinand, but mostly Queen Isabella, agreed to equip Columbus with what he needed to explore.  They promised him titles, wealth, and rewards for his accomplishments, and according to Columbus, the Monarchs’ first priority was to spread the Christian (Catholic) faith.

The first voyage to the Caribbean was two months, and he lied to his crew that they did not go as many leagues as they truly did so that they would not panic about being so far away from the Spain.  The first contact with natives was peaceful; the natives believed they came from the sky.  Columbus suggested, in his logbook, he could remove all of the natives to Castile to be slaves, to demonstrate how docile the people were.  In fact, several were peaceably taken on the return voyage, like samples.

During the first visit, Columbus learned of the Caribs, the neighboring tribes who often attacked the docile natives, abducted their women, kept their men and boys for slaves, and committed cannibalism.  These docile tribes hoped that Columbus’ men would help them make war against and defeat their enemies.  

Columbus left many crewmembers behind in order to return to Spain to give an account of his first contact, and then to return quickly with more men and supplies. 

The Monarch was well pleased with the results thus far, and Columbus was appointed captain-general and granted powers to appoint whomever he chose to lead the government of the islands.  This...second expedition was designed to relieve the men who had remained there, to settle more colonists and to conquer the island...   

But on reaching the place where the Christians were settled, they were all missing.  The natives told different stories about what had happened, but it was obvious by some evidence that the men were dead, probably murdered.   In addition, five of the natives taken to Spain, died on the way back to the Indies.

Events turn worse for Columbus when part of the crew plotted against him.  Many of these men were Spanish criminals released early from prison because they agreed to go on the expedition.  Most of them were not sailors and many just wanted to get rich easily and go home.  Unfortunately, the work was difficult, supplies were always low, and conditions were treacherous.   There was always tension, and Columbus may not have been the best people-manager.

The Spaniards who revolted caused so many extra hardships and also complicated the situation with the natives, who no longer trusted the Christians.  Columbus had to use arms against the natives to defend his men.  Several Christians and natives were killed.  It was amazing that anyone even stayed behind to hold a settlement, but Columbus believed that he had defeated the natives back into submission.  Then he returned to Spain again.

On this third return with supplies to Hispaniola, which was thirty months later, the condition of the settlement was in ruin and rebellion; most men were dead or suffering from syphilis.  One Spaniard led the remaining men in a revolt against Columbus and his brothers.  This conflict became a main focus for Columbus, and he could no longer explore the islands as he had wished because he was always negotiating with this relentless renegade.

Then Columbus had to deal with another explorer, Ojeda, who was returning from Brazil and Venezuela, when he stopped in Hispaniola and harassed Columbus, joining forces with the above-aforementioned renegade.  Interestingly, traveling with Ojeda was an Italian clerk named Amerigo Vespucci, whose name would later be used to identify the continent.  

And finally, the Spanish Monarchy sent a judge, Francisco de Bobadilla, to Hispaniola to oversee the uprising, and was given instruction to take position as governor if he believed Columbus to be unfit.  Long story short, Columbus and one of his brothers ended up in chains on the long voyage home, while Bobadilla took control as governor.  

Why Columbus wanted to return a fourth time is beyond my understanding.  After the Monarch rejected the harsh report from Bobadilla, Columbus had most of his dignity restored to him; and he went again to the Indies.  But the voyage was so disastrous – if I did not know any better, I would say that God’s wrath was upon the whole idea of Spain returning to the islands.  They were met with violent storms and utter destruction.  It was all about survival.  Even so, there was never any gold – ever.  The closest he ever came to it was right before he was arrested.  After that, the gold disappeared and the Monarchs never saw it.  

If Columbus had to explore the islands himself, he probably would have been more productive and well-off.  It seems most of his energy was used in dealing with greedy, selfish, whiny men who were not interested in exploring or hard work.  They complained when work was dangerous, and rebelled when they did not have supplies.  They obeyed only their selfish lusts for women and riches, and when they could not get what they wanted quickly, they revolted.  Columbus went days and weeks without sleeping and spent a lot of time babysitting and pacifying the crew.  

After his final voyage, he was exhausted, sick, and senseless.  Due to his mental incapacities, the King and Queen were adamant about not fulfilling any of their promises for titles, riches, or power.  He died eighteen months later.