On November 14, 1493, Christopher Columbus moored his ships near the mouth of the Salt River. He called the island Santa Cruz meaning Holy Cross. He dispatched two dozen men to explore their discovery. Soon after they set foot on this beach, they were attacked by a tribe of Kalinago, also known as Island Caribs. The landing party made a hasty retreat (one later died of his wounds). In disgust, Columbus called this point Cabo de la Flecha (Cape of the Arrow). This was the first battle among Europeans and any Indigenous people of the New World. It was also the only time Christopher Columbus’ crew set foot on what would become United States soil. In the upper left corner is the Salt River Bay Visitor Station.
