Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Haiti Shipwreck Could Be Remains of Columbus Flagship 'Santa Maria'

13th May 2014
Haiti Shipwreck Could Be Remains of Columbus Flagship 'Santa Maria'

#SantaMaria - Christopher Columbus' voyage of discovery to the Americas more than 500 years ago is almost the stuff of legend today - but now marine archaeologists think they've found the remnants of his flagship, the Santa Maria.

The potential find off the north coast of Haiti - on what was then known as the island of Hispaniola - could give us a tangible connection to the stories we all learned at school about the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria.

As The Independent reports, top archaeological investigator Barry Clifford says "all the geographical, underwater topography and archaeological evidence strongly suggests that this wreck is Columbus’ famous flagship."

And it's only happened because of a fresh look at images of the wreck taken more than 10 years ago, in the context of new dives to the site earlier this month.

Sadly the return dives saw various artefacts were missing, presumed raided by looters.

But it's hoped that the ship itself, if it is indeed confirmed as the one Columbus sailed to the New World in 1492, might be preserved in such a state that it could be raised and become an important tourist attraction for impoverished Haiti.

The Independent has much more on the story HERE.

Published in Historic Boats
MacDara Conroy

About The Author

MacDara Conroy

Email The Author

MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven’t put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full–time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

Direct Donation to Afloat button