Okay, let's set the scene. It's 1892, the 400th anniversary of Columbus's first voyage. Everyone's talking about it. But one big question hangs in the air: what happened to his flagship, the Santa María? We know it sank off the coast of present-day Haiti. But where, exactly? This book is the official government report from the special team sent to find out.

The Story

The story here is the investigation itself. Spain formed an "Archaeological Executive Commission"—a fancy name for a group of historians, naval officers, and early archaeologists given a single job: go to Haiti and find the Santa María. The book walks us through their entire process. They pored over Columbus's own diary and other ancient records. They interviewed locals and surveyed the coastline, trying to match 15th-century descriptions with the 19th-century landscape. It's a race against time, weather, and fading memory, all documented with the precise (and sometimes wonderfully dry) detail of a official report.

Why You Should Read It

What's fascinating is seeing history in action. This isn't a modern analysis; it's the raw, on-the-ground work of people trying to solve a puzzle with the tools they had in 1892. You feel their frustration and their small triumphs. It captures a moment when archaeology was less about Indiana Jones and more about careful deduction. Reading their conclusions, knowing what we know now, adds a whole other layer. It's like looking over their shoulders as they write the first draft of this chapter of maritime history.

Final Verdict

This is a niche but utterly captivating read. It's perfect for history buffs who enjoy primary sources, for anyone fascinated by maritime archaeology, or for readers who like true stories of exploration and discovery. Don't expect a novel—it's a report. But if you approach it as a time capsule and a detective's case file, you'll be pulled right into the hunt for one of history's most famous lost ships.