September.1, 1492
The Crew is setting sail to India today. Eight years ago, in 1484, I asked King Joao II of Portugal to Sponsor a voyage to Asia. My plan was rejected then. But I then decided I had different ideas on the world. A lot of the people in the world today believe the world is flat. I believe it is round. Four years after the king rejected me I returned and asked the same question. I was rejected a second time, but you can’t give up that easily. In 1490 my plan for a voyage to India was finally approved of and in the two years leading up to now I have spent my time getting prepared for this. I was appointed admiral of the sea. I am also to rule and govern whatever territory I might discover.
For this voyage we are going on today I was granted three ships. I am the commander of the Santa Maria while the commander of the Pinta is Martin Alonzo Pinzon and the commander of the Nina is Vincente Yanez Pinzon. The crew totals ninety men. There is thirty men on each ship.
Christopher Columbus
The Santa Maria, The Pinta, and The Nina.
The Nina.
Hello Christopher Columbus.
I have never been to India before, but I’m sure it is a very nice place. Also, I would very much like to know what your boats look like. Our boats are long and narrow and have some carvings on the sides. Do you hope to discover a lot of land on your voyage? My best friend’s Dad is the Cacique in our village, Moga. How come you need so many men to travel with you? Also, why did your voyages keep getting turned down? Well, I hope all goes well with your voyage.
Jaci
By: caribbeancolony on June 4, 2007
at 2:46 pm
Dear Christopher Columbus,
It sounds like your life is very different from ours, are you ever interested in the way that we live?
I think from what you’ve described the way that you live is strange.
I’m very interesting in where your journey will take you. Where do you plan on going next?
Doli.
By: caribbeancolony on June 5, 2007
at 6:26 pm
Hello Jaci and Doli!
Our boats sounds very different form yours. You can see them in the picture, but here is a further description. The ship that I am commander of is, as you know, the Santa Maria. It is a merchant ship. It is between 200-600 tons. The boat is 75 feet long and the width of the beam of the ship is 25 feet.
The ship has 3 masts, a mainmast, a foremast and a mizzenmast. There is 5 sails all together attached to these masts. Thre is 3 large sails. One on each mast. The foresail and mainsail are square, the sail on the mizzen mast is triangular and is known as the lateen mizzen.
As for the way you live, I am very interested in your culture.
I am planning on going to India. The reason of our journey’s there is to find gold and pearls and many things of value.
Christopher Columbus
By: caribbeancolony on June 11, 2007
at 2:42 pm