The Samana Cay theory


Map of the Samana Cay route (Judge 1986)

Samana Cay is a small island lying north of Acklins Island in the central Bahamas. The Samana Cay theory was first proposed in 1882 by Gustavus V. Fox, a former Undersecretary of the Navy. The theory fell into disrepute when it was severely criticized by James B. Murdock in 1884. (Fox had died in 1883 and was unable to rebut Murdock's views.) Murdock's major criticism was that in Fox's track to Fortune Island (the theory's Island IV), Columbus returned to a point within sight of Crooked Island (Island II). Murdock argued that Columbus couldn't have backtracked without specifically mentioning it in the log. This was a convincing line of reasoning that held sway for a century.

The Samana theory was revived by Joseph Judge in the pages of National Geographic (November 1986), and has since enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. Ironically, Judge did not deal with Murdock's 'Columbus couldn't have returned' argument at all; indeed, Judge didn't even mention the argument in his article. However, another Samana advocate, Alejandro Perez, later found persuasive evidence that refuted Murdock's view: see Las Casas' Historia on the clues page.

The Samana theory route: Island I = Samana Cay; Island II = Crooked-Acklins; Island III = Long Island; Island IV = Fortune Island. The list of problems here is satisfyingly short, indicating that Samana Cay is one of the better theories around.

Unresolved problems with the Samana theory:
  1. There are no references on old maps to Samana as Guanahani.
  2. Columbus saw a light on the night of October 11. From Samana, there is nowhere for the light to be.
  3. Columbus reported a large pond in the middle of Island I. There is no such pond at Samana.
  4. Columbus reported a peninsula with a narrow neck at Island I. There is no such peninsula at Samana.
  5. Columbus went north-northeast along the coast of Island I. Samana has no coastline running in this direction.
  6. The coast of Island II that faces Island I runs north-south. The coast of Acklins-Crooked that faces Samana runs east-west.
  7. In order to see the north-south running coast of Island II, the theory requires that Columbus makes an unmotivated jog southward, going many miles out of his way for no clear reason.
  8. The coast of Island IV does not run west from the northern point.
  9. The coast of Island IV is not 12 leagues long.


Landsat image of Samana Cay

The quote:

"It is impossible to explain the facts at our disposal in any other way. The solution to the mystery is Samana Cay."
-- Joseph Judge, Senior Editor, National Geographic


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