PHOTO: SPAI N '92 FOUNDATION
The Magic Carpet The Northeast Trades, however, roll on like a magic carpet. Columbus, in understandable ignorance, was sailing along their northern fringes , but they bore him along splendidly. Morison describes the first ten days out: "During the first ten days (September 9-18 inclusive) the trade wind blew as steadi ly as it ever does, the westerly course was constantly followed , and the fleet made J 163 nautical miles. The least twenty-four hours' run was 60 miles , and the best 174, which for sai ling vessels of their burthen was very good sa iling indeed." These are corrected numbers that Mori son is citing here, the actual miles run after allowing for Columbus's overestimate. But no mere numbers can convey the realities of thi s Trade Wind sai ling. Morison , who had sailed this route, puts it into words thus: "That was the honeymoon period of the voyage, the sort of sailing that old salts dream of. Wind and sea on the stern gave the caravels a regular lift and roll that sea legs take in their stride; no making and setting of sai l or hauling on sheets and braces; seascape of surpass ing beauty (and don't imagine, you esthetic snobs, that common seamen don't appreciate it), brightest of blue seas, fat puffy trade-wind clouds constantly ri sing up from astern, deliberately passing overhead, and setting under the western horizon; weather warm and balmy but always fresh from the blessed trades. Nothing to do but keep the vessels clean, ¡observe ship routine, watch for birds and flying fi shes, and spend the gold you are going to pick up in Cipangu." They saw great whales, and tiny petrel s making a mewing SEA HISTORY 56, WINTER 1990
A 20th century foe ' s' cle crowd manhandles the Santa Maria' s great mainsail. The yard has to be lowered to the deck to stow the billowing canvas . This could make for wild and wooly sail-handling-but still much more under control than a lateen sail ofthis size would be, on its free-swinging I 00-foot yard!
PHOTO: SPA IN '92 FOUNDATION
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