The Lignum Vitae Cay theory
This little-known theory was first proposed by John H. Winslow in a
lecture in 1989. A report on this lecture can be found in this
newspaper article, archived at Millersville. In 1990 and 1991,
Winslow published an expanded version of the theory in the now-defunct
journal, HRD News. Winslow's identifications: Island I = Lignum
Vitae Cay-Great Harbor Cay; Island II = Bond Cay-Chub Cay-New
Providence; Island III = north Andros; Island IV = south Andros. Unlike
most theories, Winslow does not use the Ragged Islands as Columbus's
Islas de Arena, but instead hypothesizes a string of
non-existent islands on the Great Bahama Bank.
Unresolved problems with the Lignum Vitae theory:
- In order to reach Lignum Vitae, Columbus would have had to have
been a celestial navigator. There is unrefuted evidence that Columbus's
navigation was by dead reckoning instead.
- There are no references on old maps to Lignum Vitae as
Guanahani.
- Columbus went NNE the length of the island on October 14. Boat trip
starts NNE at Lignum Vitae, but does not go the length of the island on
this course, nor even along the coast.
- Winslow suggests that Pinta reconnoitered ahead of the fleet
October 12-14. This is not possible, since the boats from both caravels
were used in the exploration of Island I on October 14.
- Columbus announced his intention to sail SW from Island I. This
course from Lignum Vitae runs right across unnavigable shallows, as
Columbus would have been easily able to see.
- The second island visited had a coast facing Island I; there is no
such coast at Bond Cay. Although Columbus's language is difficult here,
Winslow's tortured translation of it is unconvincing.
- Columbus clearly implies that he did not follow the five league
coast at Island II. The theory follows this coast.
- Island II had a coast running east-west for 10 leagues. The
east-west coast at Chub Cay isn't even remotely close to this
size.
- The theory requires a speed of 9 knots for the fleet on October 15.
Top speed for these ships was about 8 knots.
- The theory has Columbus sailing from Chub Cay to New Providence
while in search of ever-larger islands. This is bizarre, since Andros
Island is not only ten times larger than New Providence, it is half as
far from Chub Cay.
- The two harbor entrances at Island III were "very narrow." The one
entrance to Conch Harbor (Andros I.) is gigantic.
- After leaving the harbor at Island III, Columbus sailed NW. That
course from Conch Harbor puts Columbus aground on Andros.
- The theory requires the fleet to sail through the Middle Bight of
Andros on October 18. This strait is not navigable for ships this
size.
- The theory requires the fleet to sail onto the Great Bahama Bank on
October 18, and again on October 19. These waters are far too shallow
for ships this size.
- Leaving Island III anchorage, it took three hours sailing for
Columbus to sight Island IV. From theory's proposed anchorage, island
IV is already visible.
- The Historia de Las Indias reports that upon leaving
Island III, Columbus "returned" to Island IV, "which had been left
behind." The Indians wanted to do this in order to get closer to their
home on Island I. These descriptions do not fit the Lignum Vitae
theory.
- The theory requires the fleet to sail through the South Bight of
Andros on October 19. This strait is not navigable for ships this
size.
- From Island IV, Columbus noted a large bight (angla) to the
northeast, which was not navigable. No such feature at south Andros,
except for South Bight -- which the theory has already (and
incorrectly) claimed is navigable.
- Leaving Island IV, theory has Columbus sailing (again!) across the
Great Bahama Bank, which is (still) not navigable for ships this
size.
- Columbus saw a line of islands running north-south on October 24.
There are no such islands in the position required by the theory. So
Winslow invents them.
This list is shorter than some. But the problems here are so severe
(note particularly numbers 1, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, and the unbelievable
number 20) that this theory might well be the worst ever devised.
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