Columbus' ship believed found, but already looted
- 10 years ago
About 10 to 15 feet underwater, explorers believe they've made a historic discovery.
Off the northern coast of Haiti, the remains of Christopher Columbus' flagship, the Santa Maria.
In an expedition backed by and to be aired exclusively on the History Channel, marine investigator Barry Clifford discovered the ship in 2003, but was unable to identify it until now.
At the famed Explorer's Club in New York, Clifford is using Columbus' diary to lay out the evidence.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATOR BARRY CLIFFORD SAYING:
"But in dissecting this book and understanding the Diario [diary of Christopher Columbus] is what enabled us to find what we have good reason to believe is the Santa Maria."
Clifford says the distance of the wreckage from a fort in Haiti matches the description Columbus detailed in his diary.
The Santa Maria was one of three vessels that left Spain in 1492.
Among the artifacts found was a 15th century cannon.
Off the northern coast of Haiti, the remains of Christopher Columbus' flagship, the Santa Maria.
In an expedition backed by and to be aired exclusively on the History Channel, marine investigator Barry Clifford discovered the ship in 2003, but was unable to identify it until now.
At the famed Explorer's Club in New York, Clifford is using Columbus' diary to lay out the evidence.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATOR BARRY CLIFFORD SAYING:
"But in dissecting this book and understanding the Diario [diary of Christopher Columbus] is what enabled us to find what we have good reason to believe is the Santa Maria."
Clifford says the distance of the wreckage from a fort in Haiti matches the description Columbus detailed in his diary.
The Santa Maria was one of three vessels that left Spain in 1492.
Among the artifacts found was a 15th century cannon.