by Andrew Rowen | | Haiti
On December 7, the Santa María and Niña began sailing east along the Taíno Haiti’s northern coast. In his Journal, Columbus compared Haiti’s farmlands, mountains, valleys, weather, fish, plants, and birds to those of Castile. Columbus concluded Haiti was suited to...
by Andrew Rowen | | Haiti
As Columbus continued along Haiti’s northern coast, local Taínos fled from encounters, precluding his trading for gold or locating its source. Frustrated, Columbus ordered sailors ashore to capture an inhabitant to whom he could confer courtesies and gifts to...
by Andrew Rowen | | Dominican Republic, Haiti
Martín Alonso Pinzón and the Pinta sailed for Baneque (Great Iguana Island) after deserting the expedition in November (see November 21). There’s no preserved ship’s log recounting the route or what transpired, but the Pinta reached the Taíno Haiti’s northern coast...
by Andrew Rowen | | Haiti
As the Santa María and Niña continued east along the Taíno Haiti’s northern coast, word traveled among the locals that it was safe to meet the pale beings. On December 16, likely near modern Port-de-Paix, more than five hundred Taínos gathered at a beach to behold and...
by Andrew Rowen | | Haiti
Columbus brought the Santa María and Niña to anchor—in his view—in the greatest harbor he had yet entered (Baie de l’Acul, Haiti), perhaps the most populated area in Guacanagarí’s chiefdom of Marien. Columbus named the harbor Mar de Santo Tomás as the day was the...
