Where Was He Going?

 

      Christopher Columbus was looking for a faster way to get to the Indies. He thought if he sailed west instead of east, he could get there faster. When he reached San Salvador, he thought it was the Indies but it was really America - The New World.

 

Transportation

 

      On the first voyage, his mode of transportation was the three ships given to him by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. The ships were called the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. They also gave him ninety men to go with him. After being successful on his first voyage, he had 17 ships and over 1000 men for his second voyage.

Ship building techniques were passed on from father to son. All parts of a ship worked together as a machine. Each part depended on or helped another part. Weakness in one part caused damage in another. The hull of the ship was made of oak wood. Oak was often used since it was strong and a hard, long lasting wood. The builder started first with the framework. Then they bolted up the posts and ribs. When this was complete, they would lay down the planks. Planks were nailed right to the edge to make it as smooth as possible. They washed the planks with salt water to prevent them from shrinking. The masts were made of pine since pine grows tall and straight.

Christopher also needed the help of many people to make his journey. Finding good sailors was just as important as finding good ships.