Second Voyage

A fleet of 17 ships with some 1,500 crew members, soldiers, and colonists left Cadiz on September 25, 1493. When the expedition reached La Navidad, Columbus discovered that the fort had been destroyed and the men killed by the Indians, whom it is believed the colonists had mistreated. He established another colony, Isabella, on the north coast of Hispaniola, closer to a rumored source of gold. He left his brother Diego in charge and, in April, 1494, set out to further explore the coast of Cuba.

When he returned, Columbus found the colonists in near rebellion, plagued by hunger and illness, and fighting among themselves and with the Indians. He punished those who would not accept his rule, hanging several. He next appointed his brother Bartholomew, who had arrived from Spain with supplies, governor of the colony, an action many Spaniards considered a usurpation of royal authority. Then Columbus and his brothers began subjugating the Indians—some to help in the search for gold and others to be sold as laborers in Spain.

Meanwhile, investigators sent by the Spanish court had reported unfavorably on the administration of the Columbus brothers. Columbus returned to Spain in June, 1496, to defend himself. Despite having failed to establish a stable colony, he was able to persuade the king and queen to sponsor a new voyage and send more colonists.