Heller Santa Maria

Christopher Columbus, an Italian navigator living in Portugal, was fascinated by geography and sought to find a new route to India by sailing westward. After the kings of Portugal, England, and France refused to support his plan, Columbus turned to the Spanish monarchs, who appointed him Admiral of an expedition consisting of three caravels: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. After a journey of several months, Columbus discovered the Bahamas on October 12, 1492.