They pass many more islands, giving each a new Spanish name, until they reach during November the most important landfall of their expedition - the large island of Cuba, which Columbus convinces himself to be Cipango. By the same token this region becomes known to Europe as the West Indies.Ī few days later the explorers sail on. Greeted by friendly inhabitants of San Salvador, he therefore describes them as Indians - an inaccurate name which has remained attached to the aboriginal peoples of the whole American continent. Columbus believes that he has reached the East Indies. These are not the first Europeans to reach the American continent, but they are the first to record their achievement. (It is not known which island they landed on, though one in the Bahamas now bears the name San Salvador.) They name it San Salvador, after Jesus the Saviour. They plant in the ground the royal banner of Spain, claiming the place for Ferdinand and Isabella. San Salvador, Cuba and Hispaniola: 1492-1493Ĭolumbus and the Pinzón brothers step ashore on 12 October 1492 on an island in the Bahamas. At last, on October 12, a look-out on the Pinta spies real land. During the next month there are several sightings of coastlines which turn out to be illusions. Three weeks are spent loading stores in the Canaries until, on September 6, the three ships sail west into the unknown. Columbus is in command of the largest, the Santa Maria the captains of the other two, the Pinta and the NiÑa, are the brothers Martin Alonso and Vicente Yañez Pinzón. On 3 August 1492 a little fleet of three vessels sets sail from the small Spanish harbour of Palos.
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