Historical Geography of Christopher Columbus’s First Voyage and his Interactions with Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean

Al M. Rocca is a Professor Emeritus at Simpson University and is currently serving as Adjunct Research Professor at California State University, Monterey Bay.

• ForewordPart I: Planning the Transatlantic Voyage and Setting the Physical Geography of the CaribbeanChapter 1: The Transatlantic Proposal and Preparation for the VoyageThe Santa Fe Capitulations Palos de la Frontera and the Acquisition of Men and ShipsThe PlanPolitical GoalsNotesChapter 2: Preparing for the VoyageThe Columbus MapColumbus’s Methodology for Calculating Global DistancesSequence of Conception: Enterprise to the Indies The First Voyage Maps of ColumbusThe Art of Navigation in the 15th CenturyDirectional MethodologyNautical Mileage MethodologyNotesChapter 3: The Adventure BeginsThe Journal of Christopher ColumbusSabotage as the Voyage Begins, August 3 to September 5The Lady Doña Beatriz Ines PerazaNotesPart II: The Mid-Transatlantic Crossing Chapter 4: Into the Ocean Sea: Canary Islands and Beyond, September 6-19The Voyage West Begins and the Deception of Recorded MileageThe Difficulty Measuring Latitude at Sea and Magnetic VariationEntering Unknown Waters (Sea of Darkness)NotesChapter 5: Searching for the Indies: September 20 to October 11Looking for an Island, any IslandA Nervous Crew Puts Pressure on ColumbusOctober Arrives but Still No LandNotesPart III: The Columbus Landfall and Search for the MainlandChapter 6: The First Encounter: October 12-14The Day the World ChangedThe Lucayan Islanders Barter with the EuropeansExploring GuanahaniDid Columbus Kidnap Several Lucayans?NotesChapter 7: A Sea of Islands: October 15-27Rum Cay, A Lucayan "Escapes"The Search for Gold BeginsA Lucayan Village and CemeteryIsabella (Crooked Island) and the Search for Samoet Where is Cibao (Cuba)?NotesPart IV: Cuba and HispaniolaChapter 8: Cibao (Cuba): October 28 to December 5Columbus Believes Cibao is Cipangu (Japan)Searching for a Taino King (Cacique)A Lucayan Initiates Friendly Relations with Cuban TaínosIs This Cipangu (Japan) or Cathay (China)?The Ambassadors Describe a Large Taíno Village and TobaccoThe Geography of Linking Religious and Commercial GoalsMartín Pinzón Abandons ColumbusNotesChapter 9: Hispaniola: December 7-25Exploring BohioThe Taíno of HispaniolaI am No GodColumbus and a Cacique Break Bread on the Santa Maria Shipwreck, the Santa Maria Is DestroyedNotesChapter 10: A Time for Decisions: December 26 to January 15, 1493Columbus and GuacanagaríReturn to Spain or Continue Exploring?The Voyage Home BeginsAlong the Coast of Northeastern HispaniolaNotesPart V: Return Voyage, Accolades, and a Promise of ColonizationChapter 11: The Voyage Home: January 16 to March 15Columbus Knows the Route HomeA Change of Course for the AzoresThe Ocean Fury UnleashedThe Azores Sighted and His Men ImprisonedA Run for the MainlandPortugal Sighted and Contact with King JoãoPalos and HomeNotesChapter 12: Spanish Accolades and Future Plans Triumphant Return at the Palace of Ferdinand and IsabellaPlans for Voyage TwoNotesAfterwordAppendicesAppendix I: History and Methodology of Columbus’s LandfallAppendix II: Anchorage and Beach Landing SiteAppendix III: Las Casas and Columbus on the Future of the Indigenous Peoples: A Comparison to the Portuguese Experience in São da la MinaAppendix IV: Columbus Vision for Spanish-Indio Relations on La Española (Hispaniola) in Comparison to the Existing Slave Conditions on the Canary Islands, circa 1492Appendix V: Slavery in the Pre-Columbian AmericasAppendix VI: Latitude and Longitude Estimates for Daily Sailing LocationsBibliography