From: K. WEISS

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS


"Christopher Columbus came from a family of handweavers.  His father,
Domenico, was a weaver, as was his mothers family.  Consequently, as a
lad Christopher wove in his father's shop at Savona, near Genoa.

Since weaving and the wool trade went hand in glove, young Columbus made
several voyages as a merchant engaged in the wool and sugar trade.  He
was well aware of the value of having money, and apparently required
quite an amount for his own needs.  As he matured, seafaring and his
commercial interests appealled to him more than the trade of weaving,
eventually leading Christopher Columbus to his career as a seaman and
explorer.  M.F.D."