Foreshadowing events to come, Columbus noted in his journal that the natives (Arawaks) were a gentle and trusting people who could easily be enslaved for the benefit of Spain.
During the fall of 1492, Columbus hoped to locate the Chinese emperor and explored many parts of the Caribbean. He sighted Cuba and ran the Santa Maria aground off Hispaniola ("La Isla Española"). The crew and all supplies had to be removed from the damaged ship and a small fort was erected on the island.
