THE FOUR COLUMBUS’S TRAVELS

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa in 1451. Always fascinated by the sea, he became a sailor very early. He admires Marco Polo and dreams of one day leaving his mark at a time when discoveries of distant lands are priorities for monarchs.

 After the commercial boat on which the young sailor was attacked by the French, he joined his brother, a cartographer, in Lisbon. In 1479, he married Filipa Perestrelo e Moniz with whom he will have a son. Around 1484, the ambitious sailor is convinced that we can avoid bypass Africa to go to India, a destination known for its wealth. Whereas the American continent was not yet discovered, to go through the unexplored Atlantic to go to Asia was not impossible. This theory quickly becomes the obsession of the Genoese. But this is not the case for everyone since the expert committee of Portuguese King John II refuses his proposal. Vexed and furious, Columbus submits his project to the Spanish rival.

In 1486, King Ferdinand of Aragon and his influential wife Isabella of Castile granted him an audience. Once again, his idea was rejected and accepted before the sailor's disproportionate demands (titles of nobility and governorship) made the discovery plan again failed. Finally, the king's adviser managed to convince the queen that this trip can be very beneficial. The start of the trip across the Atlantic takes place August 3, 1492.

It is difficult for Columbus to equip three ships; two caravels, the Pinta, the Nina and a commercial building named: The Santa Maria. The latter is the flagship of which Christopher Columbus is the captain. The trip takes much longer than expected. The crew is on the brink of mutiny when the land is in sight. This land is the island of Guanhami where the Indians, as they are called, persuaded to have arrived in India, are peaceful. The flotilla continues its way along the Cuban coast where Columbus and his sailors will finally find large quantities of gold so long awaited. 39 men are left at Hispaniola, the island on which gold has been discovered, and a fort is founded. Columbus gets permission to leave for another expedition.
In 1493 he left Cadiz with 1500 men and 17 boats. Now, the goal is to start a colony, which will be done on a site called Isabela.

The second chapter of the discovery of America will last three years. On the third voyage, July 31, 1498, the three ships headed by Columbus are on the island of Trinidad, opposite the South American coast. But the disorganization that reigns on the colony obliges him to go back to solve the problems. Following the rumors and complaints against Columbus, the monarchs name Bodadilla at the head of the colony.

The fourth and final trip marks the end of Columbus' career. This last event began in 1502. The former commander of a fleet of 17 ships now has only four boats. Since returning to the position of colony manager, Columbus has returned to his original role as explorer. Luck seems to smile again when in Panama, he finds gold in abundant quantities. But this does not please the natives, Indians who look very badly at the arrival of these men from far who steal their precious metal. These tensions force Commander Columbus and his crews to leave. The worst is yet to come, because Columbus will lose its ships one after the other. Without hurry, sailors from the colony he founded come to rescue him.

The deposed commander returned to Spain in 1504. He died two years later in Valladolid, after losing his privileges but keeping the conviction of having reached India.