APPENDIX.
366
bably intended to represent a galley.
T h e y are all evidently vessels of
small size, and light construction. In a work called " Recherches sur le Commerce," published in A m 足 sterdam, 1779, is a plate representing a vessel of the latter part of the fif足 teenth century.
It is taken from a picture in the church of St. Giovanni
e Paolo in Venice.
T h e vessel bears much resemblance to those said to
have been sketched by Columbus ; it has two masts, one of which is ex足 tremely small with a latine sail.
T h e mainmast has a large square sail.
T h e vessel has a high poop and prow, is decked at each end, and is open in the centre. It appears to be the fact, therefore, that most of the vessels with which Columbus undertook his long and perilous voyages, were of this light and frail construction ; and little superior to the small craft which ply on rivers and along coasts in modern days.
No. X V I I . ROUTE
OF
COLUMBUS
IN
HIS
FIRST
VOYAGE.*
I T has hitherto been supposed that one of the Bahama Islands, at present bearing the name of San Salvador, and which is also known as Cat Island, was the first point where Columbus came in contact with the N e w W o r l d . Navarrete, however, in his introduction to the " Collection of Spanish Voyages and Discoveries " recently published at Madrid, has endeavored to show that it must have been Turk's Island, one of the same group, situated about 100 leagues (of 2 0 to the degree) S. E . of San Salvador. Great care has been taken to examine candidly the opinion of Navarrete, comparing it with the journal of Columbus, as published in the abovementioned work, and with the personal observations of the writer of this article, who has been much among these islands. Columbus describes Guanahani, on which he landed, and to which he
* The author of this work is indebted for this able examination of the route of Columbus to an officer of the navy of the United States, whose name he regrets the not being at liberty to mention.
He has been greatly benefited, in
various parts of this history, by nautical information from the same intelligent source.