Numerical Simulations of Columbus' Atlantic Crossings
Abstract
The transatlantic route of Columbus was simulated, incorporating corrections for historical winds, historical currents, and hypothetical magnetic variation to estimate where the first landfall occurred. Earlier simulations using an 1899 map by Van Bemmelen and assuming zero magnetic variation in the Bahamas produced a landfall near San Salvador (Watlings Island). New theories postulating a Geometric league of 2.67 nautical miles and a westerly magnetic variation of approximately one point (11.25 degrees) for the western terminus result in a landfall near the Turks and Caicos Islands. A westerly variation of this magnitude in the Bahamas has been inferred from early charts -- the islands are shown several degrees too far north, which would have occurred if early navigators had been set imperceptibly southward by westerly variation -- by studies of directions within the islands, and by studies of early navigation books. The simulation of subsequent voyages by Columbus lend further weight to a westerly variation of about one point in the region of the Bahamas. This work shows that a Grand Turk landfall cannot be ruled out based on the transatlantic portion of the voyage, as has been suggested in the past. A more accurate simulation of the voyage and first landfall still requires a more accurate representation of the field of magnetic variation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA260807
Entities
People
- Philip L. Richardson
- Roger A. Goldsmith
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution