The
Santa Maria is known all over the world as the flagship of Christopher
Columbus on which he on August 3rd 1492 sailed from Palos in the southwest of
Spain. After having visited the Canary Islands he crossed the Atlantic in 36 days
and along with his crew of 40 men discovered America on October 12th, 1492.
The modest expedition consisted of the
Santa Maria, a decked ship about 30m
(about 100 ft.) long under his command.
Nina was under the command
of Captain Yanez Pinzo and had 24 men aboard.
Pinta was under the command of Captain Martin
Pinzo had 26 men aboard for a total of 90 men. The caravel
Santa Maria was owned by Juan
de la Cosa, who sailed with Columbus as his
captain.
In December, the
Santa Maria was
wrecked off the coast of Hispaniola (Haiti). La Navidad, a makeshift fort, was built of
materials salvaged from the vessel, and garrisoned with fewer than 40 men.
Christopher Columbus Links:
The Columbus Navigation Homepage.
The European Voyages of Exploration: Columbus.
The Columbus Doors.
1492: An Ongoing Voyage.
The Crimes of Christopher Columbus.
The American Indian Movement statement. 
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