September 9, 1492—The First Full Day at Sea Columbus and his crew—roughly ninety men spread out over three ships—pressed on through the night of September 8, waking up the next day to find themselves far from the land they had left the night before. Columbus captained the Santa María, while brothers Martín Alonso and Vincente Yáñez Pinzón captained the Pinta and the Niña, respectively. According to his journal, Columbus considered the Pinta to be "the fastest sailing vessel" of the three, and he often sent it ahead to scout for land. The Niña stayed back with the Santa María, and the two were in frequent contact throughout the journey. That first day, however, all three ships stayed close to one another as Columbus led them out into the great Atlantic Ocean. Sunday, 9 September 1492 This day we completely lost sight of land, and many men sighed and wept for a long time. I comforted them with great promises of lands and riches. To sustain their hope and dispel their fears of a long voyage, I decided to reckon fewer leagues than we actually made. I did this that they might not think themselves so great a distance from Spain as they really were. For myself I will keep a confidential accurate reckoning. Monday, 10 September 1492 Today I made 180 miles at a speed of 7½ knots. I recorded only 144 miles in order not to alarm the sailors if the voyage is lengthy As a sailor on Columbus's expedition, how would you feel if you found out that you had been told the incorrect distance traveled? What might be another reason for Columbus to alter the distance traveled?
Sunday, 9 September 1492 This day we completely lost sight of land, and many men sighed and wept for a long time. I comforted them with great promises of lands and riches. To sustain their hope and dispel their fears of a long voyage, I decided to reckon fewer leagues than we actually made. I did this that they might not think themselves so great a distance from Spain as they really were. For myself I will keep a confidential accurate reckoning. Monday, 10 September 1492 Today I made 180 miles at a speed of 7½ knots. I recorded only 144 miles in order not to alarm the sailors if the voyage is lengthy
