history: Columbus in search of the east

Quadrant

A navigational instrument containing a gradient arc of 90° used to measure the altitude of the sun or stars

Dead Reckoning

The calculation of a ship’s position by means of Compass to determine direction and log the chronometer (clock) to determine Speed by reckoning the time it takes the ship to pass a certain distance from a “dead” object ( the log).

Sargasso Sea

A calm area in the north Atlantic northeast of the west Indies, where there is in abundance of free, floating seaweed of the genus sargassum. Sailors on wind driven sailing vessels, like the kind used by Columbus dared being declaimed in areas like the Sargasso Sea.

San Salvador

Is Spanish name meaning “Holy Savior”; the name given the island where Columbus first set foot in the New World

“Indians”

The name Columbus gave the native population because he mistakenly believed he was in the Indies in East Asia.

Hispaniola

Is Spanish name meaning “Spanish Island”; the island where the Santa Maria struck a reef and sank.

Navidad

The Spanish name for “Christmas”; the settlement Columbus established for the survivors of the Santa Maria in the hopes they would discover gold while awaiting his return.

“Christ Beaber”

The meaning of the name “Christopher”.

Martin Alonso Pinzon

The captain of the Pinta whose mistaken report of the Sighting of Island caused Columbus to fall to his knees to give thanks to the Lord.