Christopher Columbus first voyage

When did Columbus's little fleet leave for Asia?

• August 3, 1492

• October 12, 1942

• January 13, 1493

• July 15, 1492

• June 8, 1492

Answer explanation

Did any convicts accompany Columbus on his first voyage?

The depiction of Columbus by Washington Irving as a tragic hero in 1828 has made it difficult to overcome his tainted history. One popular belief that has persisted until today is that Columbus filled his ships with prisoners released from jail, since no one wanted to join the adventure. However, this is only partially true, and the actual story is more complex.

Columbus could only find willing sailors if he reached an agreement with experienced captains and pilots from the Port of Palos. Meanwhile, the queen authorized him to choose from local prisoners, and he took only four. However, once Columbus agreed to the terms of the Pinzón family, well-known mariners, he had no trouble recruiting more experienced seamen for his crew. Between 70 and 120 people eventually boarded those three small ships.

Though Columbus was an Italian from Genoa, which Kingdom was he representing on his voyages? (a)  

• Spain
• Portugal
• France
• England
• Aragon

From where did Columbus set sail?

• Palos

• Sagres

• Venice

• Genoa

• Lisbon

Answer explanation

Why did Columbus sail from the port of Palos de la Frontera and not from a better-known port like Cadiz? (1) The agreement with the Spanish Crown. (2) the debt owed by the town of Palos, (3) the favorable winds and currents, and (4) the access to supplies made Palos the ideal port for Columbus to set sail from.

Which ship carried the flag? (a)  

• Santa Maria
• Nina
• Pinta

Answer explanation

The ship that Columbus called Santa Maria was actually named the Gallega. The admiral made significant changes to the vessel to make it ready for transatlantic travel. But, Columbus did not even own the ship – he had leased it on the condition that the owner would pilot it. The Gallega was not an ideal vessel for the journey, as it was slow and difficult to maneuver, which contributed to its running aground in northern Haiti.

What type of ship did Columbus use for this voyage?

• Caravel

• Carrack

• Dow

• Galleon

• Brigantine

Answer explanation

Just like Henry the Navigator, the Portuguese played a significant role in expanding knowledge about shipping and developing the technology that later enabled explorers such as Columbus to navigate the Atlantic Ocean using relatively small and weak ships. The Portuguese achieved this by combining square sails with lateen sails, which were similar to the sails used on the Dow ship. This hybrid design made it possible for ships to sail against the wind, which was a major breakthrough in sailing technology at the time.

Which one did NOT happen to Columbus on his first voyage'?

• Rebellion on ship

• Compass was not working

• Ship wrecked

• Crew abandoned him

Answer explanation

When the fleet hit what we now know as the Sea of Sargasso, the future of the venture did not feel right. Christopher Columbus promised his crew that the first trip across the Atlantic would take approximately five weeks. He had underestimated the distance and did not realize that a new continent lay between Europe and Asia. It took him ten weeks to reach landfall, and he landed in the Bahamas in October 1492. Here was the potential for mutiny. For some, it was better to return than to continue.

What happened to Santa María?

• It ran aground on a reef on the northern coast of Haiti

• It returned to Spain safely.

• It wrecked near the Bahamas.

• It ran aground on a reef on the northern coast of Puerto Rico.

• It wrecked near Cuba.

Answer explanation

Some archeologists thought they had found the ship, but others say there is not much to get as evidence. It is still an interesting find.

Where did Columbus meet indigenous people willing to fight his men?

Where was Santa María lost?

What did Columbus inform Santangel about the military disposition of the indigenous people he met?

• They were nice and friendly people.

• They had no weapons at all.

• They had arrows and macanas (hard sticks).

• They had iron weaponry.