Christopher Columbus was one of the greatest seamen and navigators of all time. Columbus was the first person to sail west across the atlantic. Although he was trying to get to India by a westward passage, he discovered a land new to European Knowledge.

Columbus had a hard time selling his plan to King John II of Portugal. Columbus wanted 3 ships equipped and maintained at the king's expence. King John II decided with the help of his experts not to invest his time and money on Columbus's journey.

Columbus, then proceeded on to Spain to make his proposal to King Ferdinad and Queen Isabella while his brother, Bartholomew went to try to interest King Henry VII of England and King Charles VIII of France.

Both men were turned down at first. Spain couldn't handle the expence until they resolved some conflicts with the Moors.

In January of 1492, Queen Isabella called for Columbus and granted him the vessels and supplies to start his historical westward journey. Columbus commanded three ships: the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria. These three vessels totaled 90 crew men.

Columbus sail from Spain on August 3, 1492. Nine days later arrived at the Canary Islands. On September 6, they continued west. They sailed west for three weeks. The farthest anyone has ever sailed away from land. Columbus and his staff encouraged the men in any way that they could. Finally, the men were scared that they wouldn't be able to make it back and started to give Columbus a hard time. Columbus and the crew reached a compromise that if no land was found in the next three days, the vessels would turn and go back. On October 12 the Island of San Salvador was reached.

The three ships only stayed for about 14 days at San Salvador before continuing on to Cuba and Hispanola. On Christmas Eve the Santa Maria was wrecked on a reef near the Republic of Haiti. ColumbusDecided to build a fort and leave some of the men. He loaded up the ship with strange animals and natives to take back home. On March 15th 1493, Columbus arrived home. The forty men he decided to leave we found dead by the natives the very next year. Columbus's journey west cost 1 vessel and 40 men.