topic Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria in Community Chat

Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

Topaz Gem — Tue, 13 May 2014 20:19:31 GMT

Has anyone else been following this story? Barry Clifford, an underwater explorer, is confident that a sunken shipwreck found off Haiti is the Santa Maria which once belonged to Christopher Columbus from his first voyage to the Americas.

Several years ago, a cannon was found at the wreck which was similar to cannons used in Columbus' time. Clifford recently returned with experts and the cannon, along with other items has since been looted. They were able to examine some stones at the site which matched stones that came from the part of Spain where the ship was built.

I find this fascinating. The ship is only 10 to 15 feet beneath the surface and is stuck on a reef on Haiti's northern coast. The ship is in good enough shape to be excavated, which Clifford is hoping to do with help from the Haitian government.

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 13 May 2014 20:26:08 GMT

I find this fascinating if true. Can you imagine actually being able to see even remnants of such a historic ship?

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

JustJazzmom — Tue, 13 May 2014 20:38:55 GMT

The Haitian government has no money to fund this excavation. They are a very 'poor' nation economically. He should ask the US or even Spain for assistance.

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

Topaz Gem — Tue, 13 May 2014 20:55:18 GMT

On 5/13/2014 deepwaterdotter said:
I find this fascinating if true. Can you imagine actually being able to see even remnants of such a historic ship?

I thought the same thing, Deep. Clifford told CNN that "this is the ship that changed the course of human history." He's right. I'm not sure what type of help he's looking for from the Haitian government, but maybe he needs their permission since the ship is in Haitian waters. I'm sure he can obtain financial backing from the U.S. and/or private investors. What a find that would be.

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

Linders Back — Tue, 13 May 2014 20:58:12 GMT

My guess is that the "help" he needs from Haiti is permission, not money. Haiti probably will want money from him to give their permission.

Either way, this is very cool.

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

scotttie — Tue, 13 May 2014 20:58:29 GMT

cool

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

Mominohio — Tue, 13 May 2014 21:00:11 GMT

I heard about this for the first time on the news today, and have to say I'm fascinated. This would be so cool. I just hope that between jurisdictional issues and looters, that it is able to be brought up, restoration work done to what they can, and whatever they can salvage will be available to be seen by many. The historical significance of this find is beyond belief, so very exciting.

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

Topaz Gem — Tue, 13 May 2014 21:02:53 GMT

On 5/13/2014 mominohio said:
I heard about this for the first time on the news today, and have to say I'm fascinated. This would be so cool. I just hope that between jurisdictional issues and looters, that it is able to be brought up, restoration work done to what they can, and whatever they can salvage will be available to be seen by many. The historical significance of this find is beyond belief, so very exciting.

I hope so too. If the ship was able to be raised and located somewhere in Haiti where the general population could view it, it may turn out to be a cash cow for the island of Haiti, and goodness knows they need all the help they can get after all the disasters they've endured.

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

Teacups — Tue, 13 May 2014 21:06:06 GMT

very cool and a great historical find.

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

colliemom4 — Tue, 13 May 2014 22:05:52 GMT

On 5/13/2014 AprilFlowers said:
very cool and a great historical find.

ITA!

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

croemer — Tue, 13 May 2014 22:07:22 GMT

Wow and in such shallow waters...interesting.

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

ennui1 — Tue, 13 May 2014 22:40:31 GMT

I believe Columbus salvaged what he could way back when it sank, so I'm not sure there's much there to discover.

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

RainCityGirl — Tue, 13 May 2014 22:43:22 GMT

What amazed me is I thought they said it was only 15 feet below the surface. Of course what they showed this morning looked like a pile of barnacles.

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

faeriemoon — Wed, 14 May 2014 15:29:58 GMT

On 5/13/2014 scotttie said:
cool

Very.

Re: Shipwreck Found May be the Santa Maria

sunala — Wed, 14 May 2014 20:39:35 GMT

Are they SURE it's the Santa Maria and not the Minnow?