St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-08-25
9aisrrIlanu-
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

voyage which was to result IN the 1
discovery of new continent, he was |
probably SO years of age, though |
the authorities differ as to whether
he was born in 1875 or 1896. He !
died in 1906. Born at Genoa, re-
ceiying the rudiments of a liberal ed
ucation at the University of Pavia,
and becoming a sailor on reaching
his fifteenth year, it is certain that,
before making the voyage from
Palos which was to make him fam
Gus, he had already had large ex-
perience in navigation, for those
times. Ofhimselhe wrote. wherever
ship has sailed, there have | Journey
ed In his eventful career as a nav
igator, and in his search for aid from
different courts and of wealthy
patrons, that he might prosecute his
idea of finding westward passage
to Asia, he had, therefore, gone
through many vicissitudes, before his
successful voyage made him a con-
spicuous figure in the closing years
of the fifteenth century. This in some
measure accounts for many of the
differences in the arratives OF his
life. about portions of which there is
much obscurity, as well as for the
different representa- of his per-
sonal appearance which have come
down to US.
The first of the many celebrations
planned in honor of Christopher
Columbus and his great discovery
took place at Palos, Spain, the little
harbor from which he sailed, on
August 3, the 4OOth anniversary of
the date of starting on the original
voyage in 1892. On the I'd ofAugust
number of Spanish vessels, ac-
companied by several war ships of
foreign nations, sailed to Palos, and
Spanish and foreign delegates and
the officers of the ships proceeded to
the church in which Columbus re-
ceived communion before sailing, to
attend religious service, comment
Grating the one held previous to the
departure of Columbus. Only one OF
the three vessels being built to repre-
sent the original squadron of Column
bus was ready to take part in the
ceremonies of the following day, and
this was the Santa Maria. At
six O'Clock on the morning of August
8, however, the little vessel was got
ready for the start, although dense
fog spoiled the effect of the marine
display, and when the sailors spread
their canvass, there was no breeze.
A line was consequently passed to
her from gunboat, and the Santa
Maria was thus towed down stream,
followed by the Spanish hotilla, past
the monastery of La Rabida, which
was decorated with American flags.
Outside the bar were moored the
vessels of foreign squadrons which
had come to take part in the celebra-
ton, and between opposite lines Of
these vessels the caravel was tOwed,
all firing salutes. Fifteen vessels of
the Spanish fotilla conveyed the
Santa Maria several miles to sea,
after which the little vessel returned
to Palos, her final departure being
deferred to la ter date, when it is
expected that the other vessels, the
Pinta and Nina, to represent the
complete Columbus squadron, will
be ready to accompany her.
PalOS was selected as the scene of
one of the principal celebrations OF
the Columbus year, not alone from
its being the starting point of the
famous expedition of four centuries
ago, and to its possessing that mon
astery of Ea Rabida, where Column
bus received his first encouragement
for his nomentous project. but also
to the remarkable part that Palos
took in furnishing the material and
men for the voyage. The selection
of this one instead of one of the larger
and more important ports OF Spain
as the base of the expedition was due
to a peculiar circumstance. There
had recently been an outbreak Of
disturbance there of some kind, anC
as a penalty for it the inhabitant'
had been condemned to keep III
at their own cost two caravels
with crews and arms, for the spac
ofone year. These vessels were to b.
at the service of the state, ready tt
proceed to sea at once on receiv1n.
orders.
On the 18th of April, 1892, Ferdi
nand and Isabella had signed a cor
tract at Santa Fe with Columbus 70
the voyage of discovery on which h
was bent. 1t is striking proof c
his absolute confidence in his success
that he made in this instrument S
detailed provision for the govern
ment of the islands and continent
he expected to discover. He eve
took a letter of credentials to til
potentates of such territories as
might reach. On the 3Oth of Apr
Ferdinand and Isabella directed til
authorities at Palos to have the tw
caravels already spoken of ready t
sail within ten days under Columbu
and he was to procure a thir'
Orders were sent to Andalusia t
furnish supplies for the vessels; tt
crews were to have the same wag,
as on men-of-war, with four month
paw in advance
But the dread of navigating IL