Columbus's First Transatlantic Voyage

Timeline

1. 1492Palos de la Frontera · AndalusiaColumbus commanded three ships—the Santa María, Pinta, and Niña—with about 90 crew members, departing from Palos in the Tarifa–Huelva area and heading west into the Atlantic.
2. 1492Canary Islands (La Gomera) · Canary IslandsThe fleet stopped at the Canary Islands to resupply and repair the Pinta's rudder, then departed again from La Gomera on September 6, entering the open Atlantic and sailing west.
3. 1492Mid-Atlantic route · North AtlanticThe fleet sailed west for over five weeks along the trade winds and ocean currents; the crew at one point risked mutiny. On the morning of October 12, a lookout sighted land, and the first voyage successfully crossed the unknown ocean.