The Santa Maria, Christopher Columbus's flagship, was abandoned on Christmas Day 1492 after it ran aground off the coast of Hispaniola. This unfortunate incident rendered the ship unsalvageable, forcing its crew to leave it behind.
The Grounding Incident
On the night of December 24-25, 1492, the Santa Maria, a 110-ton cargo ship classified as a nau, ran aground on a coral reef or sandbank. The conditions, possibly including a lack of experienced watchmen at the helm, led to the vessel becoming firmly stuck. Despite efforts to free it, the ship sustained significant damage and began to break apart, making salvage impossible.
The timber and provisions from the stranded vessel were subsequently utilized by Columbus and his crew to construct a small fort and settlement, known as La Navidad, which served as the first European outpost in the Americas. This event directly led to the establishment of a temporary base for some of his men before Columbus returned to Spain.
For more information on Christopher Columbus's voyages, you can visit History.com.
