In 1502, the renowned explorer Christopher Columbus, who is credited with discovering the New World, set out on his fourth and final voyage in the hopes of discovering a western route to Asia. This expedition, however, proved to be his most difficult and ultimately brought about an unexpected turn of events. Columbus and his crew encountered difficult conditions and uncertainty while stranded in Jamaica during their journey. In an amazing turn of events, a lunar eclipse was crucial to their survival. This article explores the fascinating tale of how Christopher Columbus ended up stranded in Jamaica and how he cunningly used the impending lunar eclipse to bargain his way out of this precarious circumstance.
Christopher Columbus’s Stranded Voyage to Jamaica
Ah, the story of Christopher Columbus, the traveler who accidentally discovered America and forever altered the course of human history. What about his less well-known exploits, such as the time he got lost in Jamaica? Yes, it appears that even renowned explorers occasionally find themselves in a sticky situation. Come with me as we examine the events leading up to Columbus’s fateful encounter with a lunar eclipse on his fourth and final voyage.
The Journey: Columbus’s Fourth and Final Voyage
Columbus set out on his fourth and final voyage in 1502, full of hope and a little bit of wanderlust. His goals were to find a western route to the Far East, amass wealth, and perhaps discover a few uncharted territories along the way. Columbus set out in search of glory with three ships: the unassuming-sounding but sturdy Santa Mara de la Victoria, the forgotten-sibling-of-the-Nia, La Capitana, and the tried-and-true Santiago. He had no idea what adventures awaited him.
Stranded in Jamaica: Events leading to the Eclipse
Imagine Columbus’ fleet arriving in Jamaica in 1503; they are exhausted and in need of rest. But alas, luck was not on the side of our brave explorer. The crew needed time to make repairs because the ships were damaged. Days became weeks, and then weeks became months. The crew soon understood they were stranded, and their worry quickly turned to desperation.
Being the resourceful man that he was, Columbus decided to engage in negotiation. By promising that their god would reward their generosity, he persuaded the locals to provide the necessities for his crew. Days again turned into weeks, and food became scarce. As they anxiously awaited word that they would be rescued from this beached purgatory, the crew and the locals’ patience grew thin.
The Superstitious Natives: Response to the Stranded Europeans
Columbus and his crew encountered a mixture of superstition and curiosity as they interacted with Jamaica’s native population. The natives initially viewed them with suspicion because they were unfamiliar with the presence of Europeans. While some perceived them as divine visitors, others thought they were cursed creatures who were to blame for their misfortune.
Ever the diplomat, Columbus used his charm and wit to win over the locals. Through his efforts, he won their confidence and eventually persuaded them to exchange their priceless supplies for insignificant trinkets. The locals were superstitious, but they were also shrewd negotiators, despite their superstition.
Columbus and his crew had no idea that a celestial event would drastically alter their situation. A lunar eclipse illuminated the Jamaican sky on the evening of February 29, 1504, giving the night a sinister glow. The superstitious natives rushed to give Columbus and his crew an abundance of provisions, thinking it was a sign from their gods, in an effort to win their favor.
Columbus and his crew said goodbye to their temporary haven in Jamaica and set sail once more into the unknown, their bellies full and spirits high. The stranded voyage had come to an end, leaving behind a tale of diplomatic skill, resourcefulness, and a dash of lunar good fortune.
But keep in mind that even the most accomplished explorers occasionally become stranded and reliant on the generosity of strangers and the whims of nature. Therefore, the next time you find yourself in a difficult circumstance, just remember Christopher Columbus and his lunar eclipse journey. Who knows, maybe everything will come together for you as well.
Columbus’s Ingenious Plan: Predicting the Lunar Eclipse
When Christopher Columbus and his crew got stuck in Jamaica in 1504, they had a difficult task ahead of them: persuading the locals to keep bringing them food and supplies. Columbus, ever the resourceful traveler, devised a brilliant scheme to astound and impress the locals: he predicted a lunar eclipse.
Columbus had access to almanacs that detailed celestial events and was well-versed in astronomy. He was aware that on February 29, 1504, there would be a lunar eclipse. With this information in hand, he approached the Cacique (chief) in the area and asked to meet with his council.
The Agreement with the Natives: Columbus’s Negotiation Tactics
Columbus took advantage of the upcoming lunar eclipse in his meeting with the tribal council. In retaliation for their lack of cooperation, he informed the council that he had the authority to cause the moon to vanish. He forewarned them that the moon would vanish from the sky on the appointed night if they did not furnish him and his crew with provisions.
Naturally, the locals were dubious at first, but as the predicted date approached, they grew more concerned. Columbus made a show of praying before announcing that he would spare the moon from disappearing as a sign of mercy after sensing their fear and desperation. However, he made it clear that this act of goodwill would only continue if the natives continued to provide the necessary supplies.
The Miracle of the Eclipse: Impact and Resolution
The locals gave the crew an abundance of food and supplies as the night of the lunar eclipse drew near, curious to see if Columbus could truly control the celestial forces. Knowing he had to keep his word, Columbus checked his almanac and correctly predicted when the eclipse would occur.
Columbus acted as though he were in deep prayer that fateful night as the moon started to eclipse, and he dramatically begged the heavens for help. The moon then started to reappear as if by magic. The natives were in awe and fear as they watched this extraordinary event. They instantly knelt at Columbus’ feet, pleading for his pardon and promising to give the crew whatever they required.
The miraculous lunar eclipse not only saved Columbus and his crew from starvation but also secured their safety and well-being during their time in Jamaica.
Jack the Baboon operated a railroad, earned a living, and never made a mistake
A baboon worked as a signalman for the railroad in the late 1800s. He never made a mistake and worked for the railroad until the day he died.
The History Behind the “No One Dies Alone” Program
In 1986, while doing a night shift at the hospital, Sandra Clarke, a registered nurse, was asked by an elderly patient to stay. She promised to be back after checking on her other patients, but by the time she returned, the gentleman had passed away. Clarke became one of the key figures in launching No One Dies Alone, a program that allows volunteers to sit with terminal patients who have no one else.
Did Gil Pérez Really Teleport from Manila to Mexico Overnight? The 1593 Mystery
On October 24, 1593, while performing his guard duties at Manila's Governor's Palace in the Philippines, Gil Perez stopped to lean against a wall and sleep for a while. He opened his eyes to find himself in an unusual environment. Gil was in the Plaza Mayor in Mexico City. They imprisoned Perez, but the authorities in Mexico City decided to release him and return him home.
How European Rabbits Took over Australia
In 1859, wealthy settler Thomas Austin released 13 wild rabbits on his Australian estate. By 1920, their population grew to 10 billion.
The Baltic Way: the longest unbroken human chain in history
On August 23, 1989, about 2 million people from Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania formed a human chain that united all 3 countries to show the world their desire to escape the Soviet Union and the communism that brought only suffering and poverty. This power stretched 600 km.
Max Headroom Incident: America’s Creepiest TV Hack
In 1987 a man hijacked a television station during an episode of Dr. Who and wore a Max Headroom mask and uttered nonsense, and he still hasn’t been caught
15 interesting facts about Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled Britain for 70 years, has away at the age of 96. She was the country's longest-reigning monarch. Here are some little-known facts about her.
A Brief History of the PlayStation Gaming Console
Sony's PlayStation was never meant to be an actual product. Instead, it was intended to be a CD-ROM console that would support Nintendo games. However, when Nintendo backed out of the deal at the last minute, Sony went ahead and launched what soon became one of the most successful gaming consoles of all time.
New London School Explosion, Deadliest school disaster which killed almost 300 children and teachers
In 1937, a gas leak in the basement at the local school in New London, Texas caused a massive explosion which killed almost 300 children and teachers, the deadliest school disaster in US history. Adolf Hitler even sent his condolences by telegram.
How Greek prime minister in 1830’s tried to spread the potato in Greece
A Greek prime minister in 1830’s tried to spread the potato in Greece but people weren’t interested so he put armed guards in front of shipments of potatoes so people would think they were important. People later started stealing these potatoes a lot which spread the crop to all of Greece.
The true story of Josephine Myrtle Corbin, the lady born with four legs and two private parts
Josephine Myrtle Corbin, an American sideshow performer born in 1868, had a rare condition known as dipygus, which caused her to have four legs, each smaller inner leg paired with one of her outer legs. Corbin joined the sideshow circuit, captivating audiences as the "Four-Legged Girl from Texas."
Shizo Kanakuri’s 1912 Olympic Marathon Finished 54 Years
At the 1912 Olympics, a marathon runner quit and went home to Japan without telling officials and was considered a missing person in Sweden for 50 years. In 1966, he was invited to complete the marathon. His time: 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 20.379 seconds.
Franz Ferdinand’s Assassination that sparked World War I
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie are shot to death by a Bosnian Serb nationalist during an official visit to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. The killings sparked a chain of events that led to the eruption of World War I by early August.
Nearest Green, America's first known Black master distiller
Nathan "Nearest" Green was an African-American head stiller who is now more frequently referred to as a master distiller. He was renowned for imparting his distilling knowledge to Jack Daniel, the creator of Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey distiller, after Jack Daniel was freed from slavery following the American Civil War.
8 Interesting Facts About The Unsinkable Ship, TITANIC
If you ask your friends what's the most famous ship in history the answer in most cases will be the same, of course the legendary Titanic. Its history is full of mysteries, at first it was a source of hope and national pride as well as proof of the triumphs of mankind but it soon became a source of nostalgia and pain, the extent of which cannot be described in words.
How Dmitri Mendeleev Developed the periodic table of the elements
1850 Dmitri Mendeleev walked almost a thousand miles to Moscow so he could apply for the University of Moscow. Although he was not accepted, he walked to St. Petersburg where he was accepted, And with that education, he developed the the periodic table of the elements
The Tragic Story Of Mary Ann Bevan, The ‘Ugliest Woman In The World’
After the death of her husband, Mary Ann Bevan had no income to support herself and her children. She then decided to enter a contest where she won the title of “ugliest woman” and was later hired by a circus. She endured this ridicule from the world to provide for her family.
The Day an Israeli F-15 Landed with One Wing: Zivi Nedivi’s Unbelievable Mid-Air Survival
Discover the astonishing true story of Israeli pilot Zivi Nedivi, who safely landed an F-15 after a mid-air collision tore off its entire right wing. Learn how skill, quick thinking, and the F-15’s unique design turned a disaster into a legendary feat in aviation history
Why This Belgian Bar Makes You Trade Your Shoe for a Beer
To prevent tourists from stealing their beer glasses, some bars in Belgium require people to hand over one of their shoes as a deposit which is then put in a basket and hung from the ceiling. These shoe baskets have also become an attraction.
Martin Couney, Saved Thousands of Premature Babies Wasn’t a Doctor at All
Martin Couney never qualified as a medical doctor. However, in the 1900s, he saved thousands of premature babies by exhibiting them in incubators at his Coney Island sideshow. Over the course of his career, he is said to have saved about 6,500 babies that had previously been written off by mainstream medicine.
The story of a man who spent 72 hours with 72 venomous snakes to prove they only bite when provoked
In the 1980s, an Indian man spent 72 hours in a glass cabin with 72 snakes, some of which were extremely venomous. His aim was to prove that snakes only attack when provoked. Remarkably, he was not bitten once in those 72 hours and even set a Guinness World Record in the process.
Quaker Oats Fed Children with Radioactive Oatmeal
In the 1940s and 1950s, Quaker Oats and MIT conducted experiments on radioactive iron and calcium-containing cereal. The diet was part of a study to see if the nutrients in Quaker oatmeal traveled throughout the body. In January 1998, a $1.85 million settlement was reached for 30 victims who came forward.
What exactly was the US's 'Ghost Army' during WWII?
During WW2, there was a special unit of men dubbed the ‘Ghost Army’. The unit was made of artists, creative and engineers and their job was to create deception about the enemy. From inflatable tanks to phony convoys to scripted conversations in bars intended to spread disinformation, they used all possible tricks to fool the enemy.
Before Radar: How Giant Acoustic Mirrors Detected Enemy Aircraft in WWI and WWII
Long before radar revolutionized air defense, enormous acoustic mirrors and specialized sound locators stood as the first line of defense against enemy aircraft. Designed as giant “ears,” these structures amplified distant engine noises, allowing operators to detect incoming planes by sound alone. Dive into the intriguing world of these pioneering listening devices, their operation, limitations, and enduring legacy in military history.
Moondyne Joe: The story of Australia's most notorious prison escapee
A man named Joseph Bolitho Johns (A.K.A Moondyne Joe) broke out of Australian prisons so many times that the police were compelled to build a special cell just for him. He escaped from that as well.
