Santa Maria - Haiti Observer Blog

A recent expedition by archeological investigators on the north coast of Haiti suggests that, more than 500 years after it sank, the wreckage of 'Santa Maria', the flagship vessel of Christopher Columbus' might be sitting on at the bottom of the ocean near Haiti since the Christmas Day, 1492. Barry Clifford, an explorer well known for discovering the remains of a wrecked pirate ship 'Whydah' in 1984 and more recently Captain Kidd's flagship off Madagascar, was the leader of this expedition team. As per his statement, the detailed marine archaeological evidence strongly suggests that the wreck is 'Santa Maria' that Columbus used on his first voyage in 1492. Perhaps we remember that, along with Santa Maria, Columbus used two other smaller ships, Santa Clara or La Niña and La Pinta--all the three ships were very old, never suitable for any exploration adventure. Santa Maria ran aground, and the waves smashed it to pieces. Leaving some of his men to build a fort, Columbus had returned to Spain in La Niña.

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The government of Haiti requested assistance from UNESCO to provide technical support to protect the underwater cultural heritage. The UNESCO has accepted to send a mission to the site of the wreck of Santa Maria of Christopher Columbus. The Haitian minister for Culture sent a letter to UNESCO requesting the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body of UNESCO 2001 to send experts who will be able to protect the underwater cultural heritage site from being looted. The letter was dated June 12th, and the UNESCO agreed with the minister to give the necessary support.

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A recent expedition by archeological investigators on the north coast of Haiti suggests that, more than 500 years after it sank, the wreckage of 'Santa Maria', the flagship vessel of Christopher Columbus' might be sitting on at the bottom of the ocean near Haiti since the Christmas Day, 1492. Barry Clifford, an explorer well known for discovering the remains of a wrecked pirate ship 'Whydah' in 1984 and more recently Captain Kidd's flagship off Madagascar, was the leader of this expedition team. As per his statement, the detailed marine archaeological evidence strongly suggests that the wreck is 'Santa Maria' that Columbus used on his first voyage in 1492. Perhaps we remember that, along with Santa Maria, Columbus used two other smaller ships, Santa Clara or La Niña and La Pinta--all the three ships were very old, never suitable for any exploration adventure. Santa Maria ran aground, and the waves smashed it to pieces. Leaving some of his men to build a fort, Columbus had returned to Spain in La Niña.

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The first independent nation of Latin America and the Caribbean now has something more to add to its title.

Already classified as one of the world's most important underwater archaeological discoveries of all time, the long-lost remains of Christopher Columbus's flagship, Santa Maria, was discovered of the coast of Haiti. It is lying at the bottom of the sea off the north coast of Haiti.

Archaeology correspondent David Keys who revealed the discovery have been able to capture significant evidence to make his conclusion. The team is currently working with the Haitian government to carry out the excavation of the wreck.

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