Columbus and a Lunar Eclipse Most Americans know a few basic things about Christopher Columbus. However, there is one tale about him that might help set him apart from other explorers of his time, at least in the minds of readers. Columbus took several trips to the Americas. On one of his later excursions, in 1503, his ship landed in Jamaica. The ship was in bad shape, and they were very low on supplies. At first, the natives were lovely hosts, giving them food and supplies for trinkets from the ship. However, as time passed, the crew stole from the natives, cheated them, and even committed murder. By January 1504, the native people no longer would trade with them at all. If something did not change, Columbus and his crew would be in trouble!