PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF THE FIRST VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS TO AMERICA
From a Manuscript Recently Discovered in Spain
Christopher Columbus
Thomas B. Wait and Son · Boston · 1827 · First American Edition
Christopher Columbus’ Account — Page 18
“Thursday, Sept. 13th. This day and night sailed W. thirty-three leagues, and reckoned three or four less. The currents were against them. At the first of the evening this day, the needles varied to the N. W. and the next morning about as much in the same direction.”
COMPASS ANOMALY
While crossing an ocean still largely unknown to Europeans, Columbus records an unexpected change in the compass needle. The variation appears in the evening and remains the following morning.
Christopher Columbus’ Account — Page 18
“Saturday, Sept. 15th. Sailed day and night, W. twenty-seven leagues and more. In the beginning of the night saw a remarkable bolt of fire fall into the sea at the distance of four or five leagues.”
FIRE FALLS FROM THE SKY
Two nights after the compass variation, the account records a “remarkable bolt of fire” descending into the sea several leagues from the ships. No explanation for the observation is given.
Christopher Columbus’ Account — Page 19
“The pilots took the sun’s amplitude, and found that the needles varied to the N. W. a whole point of the compass; the seamen were terrified, and dismayed without saying why.”
“The Admiral discovered the cause, and ordered them to take the amplitude again the next morning, when they found that the needles were true; the cause was, that the star moved from its place, while the needles remained stationary.”
THE COMPASS ALARMS THE CREW
Four days after the variation was first noticed, the pilots measure the compass against an astronomical reference and discover it is offset by a full point to the northwest. The result frightens the crew.
Columbus argues that the compass “remained stationary while the star itself had moved.” The 1827 editor immediately notes that this explanation was created “to quiet the apprehensions of his crews.”
Christopher Columbus’ Account — Page 33
“calling to Pero Gutierrez, groom of the King’s wardrobe, he told him he saw a light, and bid him look that way, which he did and saw it; he did the same to Rodrigo Sanchez of Segovia, whom the King and Queen had sent with the squadron as comptroller, but he was unable to see it from his situation. The Admiral again perceived it once or twice, appearing like the light of a wax candle moving up and down, which some thought an indication of land.”
DISTANT LIGHT MOVING LIKE A WAX CANDLE
Columbus sees a mysterious light multiple times, describing it as resembling “a wax candle moving up and down.” The account records more than a single fleeting observation. At least two other men see the light, and Columbus observes it repeatedly.
Christopher Columbus’ Account — Page 192
“The Admiral relates, that when on his visit to the Rio del Oro yesterday, he saw three mermaids standing high out of the water, they had faces something similar to those of human beings, but were not so handsome as it was customary to represent them; he adds that he has formerly seen them in Guinea, upon the Pepper coast.”
THREE “MERMAIDS” RISE FROM THE WATER
Columbus describes the figures as humanlike and identifies them as “mermaids,” adding that he had seen similar beings before off Guinea
The 1827 editor offers a natural identification: manatees.
Christopher Columbus’ Account — Page 40
“Come and see the men who have come from heaven. Bring them victuals and drink.” “There came many of both sexes, every one bringing something, giving thanks to God, prostrating themselves on the earth, and lifting up their hands to heaven.”
“THE MEN WHO HAVE COME FROM THE SKY”
Columbus records the islanders calling others to see the newcomers, which the 1827 translation renders as “the men who have come from heaven.” They bring food and drinks, kneel down, and raise their hands upward.
There is an important translation distinction. The original Spanish uses cielo — a word that can mean “sky” or “heaven.” The English version chooses the more religiously specific “heaven,” but the Spanish itself does not necessarily imply that interpretation.
