Where did Christopher Columbus go Ashore on October 12th, 1492 ?

Although the voyage of discovery of Columbus is the best documented cruise of the late Middle Ages thanks to his detailed logbook, one cannot definitely say on which of the Bahama Islands the Spanish went ashore on October 12th, 1492. There are numerous theories and presumptions. Two islands are favored: San Salvador, the former Watling Island, and Samana Cay - a small, uninhabited island southwest of San Salvador.

Employees of the National Geographic Society have reconstructed the course of the Spanish fleet with the aid of computers. In addition, they have discovered Indian artifacts dating from the late 15th century in excavations on Samana Cay. An official recognition of this theory is still pending. For the government of the Bahamas, San Salvador is still the island of the first landing.

Tourists can be drawn to this place; there is an airfield and hotels, and even a "New World Museum" in the main village of the island. Among the most likely possibilities are Plana Cays and Mayaguana, two islands south and southwest of Samana Cay Much speaks in favor of one of these, since they leave little doubt in comparison to the other theories. The reason for the uncertainty of the landing site is the inaccuracy in determining a position at the time. Christopher Columbus was indeed, as were many sailors of his time, excellent in estimating the distance covered, and in determining the wind direction and currents. But these were only estimates - dependable and precise methods did not yet exist.

Someone attempting to follow his course by means of the information from the logbook, can also only estimate. Also the description of the visited islands are inaccurate and incomplete; positions were not precisely determined, and the Spanish did not leave anything on the islands which would have left traces. The logbook Christopher Columbus kept on his first journey to America, is one of the most important documents in the history of shipping and discovery. Thanks to this record, which exists indeed only in the revised version of Bartolomé de las Casas, the details of the expedition are known as well as no other.

Columbus meticulously kept his records, noticed the mood on board, described the islands he discovered, and - as an unintentional side effect - gave posterity insights into his psyche.