Pirates & Shipwrecks · Columbus's flagship, 1492
Santa María
Near Cap-Haïtien, Haiti (wreck not found, location approximate)
What happened
The Santa María was the largest of the three ships on Columbus's first voyage across the Atlantic in 1492. On the night of 24 to 25 December 1492 it ran aground on a sandbar near present-day Cap-Haïtien, on the island of Hispaniola.
Why it matters
It was the flagship of the voyage that began lasting contact between Europe and the Americas. The ship's wood was stripped and used to build a wooden fort at Limonade.
What came next
The wreck has never been found. In May 2014 explorer Barry Clifford said his team had found it, and in October 2014 UNESCO's experts did not accept that claim. The pin on the map is approximate.
Did you know?
The ship was originally named La Gallega, which means the Galician.
Timeline
- 1492The Santa María sails west across the Atlantic with the Niña and the Pinta.
- 24 to 25 December 1492The ship runs aground near Cap-Haïtien.
- May 2014Barry Clifford says his team has found the wreck.
- October 2014UNESCO's experts do not accept the claim.