When Genoa was thus on the very brink of ruin, it occurred to some of her mariners that, if this view were correct, her affairs might be re-established.
A ship sailing through the straits of Gibraltar westward, across the Atlantic, would not fail to reach the East Indies.

There were apparently other great advantages.

Heavy cargoes might be transported without tedious and expensive land-carriage, and without breaking bulk.
Among the Genoese sailors who entertained these views was Christopher Columbus.
He tells us that his attention was drawn to this subject by the writings of Averroes, but among his friends he numbered Toscanelli, a Florentine, who had turned his attention to astronomy, and had become a strong advocate of the globular form.

In Genoa itself Columbus met with but little encouragement.

He then spent many years in trying to interest different princes in his proposed attempt.