figured we should return there and examine the bottom 

 more thoroughly. After all, the missing ring end might be 

 somewhere on the shoal, imbedded in the coral, with the 

 remainder of the Santa Maria lying near it. 



We did not realize until after we had anchored behind 

 the bank that we might have di£Bculty in relocating the 

 spot. We had made two errors. The men had removed the 

 yellow buoy which marked the location after raising the 

 anchor, and we had not thought to bring Charhe along 

 on this second trip to show us the way. We combed the 

 area thoroughly all morning but never came upon the spot 

 where the ancient anchor had lain. 



We would still have enlisted Charlie's help had we 

 been able to bring him back from town that afternoon, but 

 by noon the sea had become too rough for us to continue. 

 Once more it was brought home to us how difficult it is 

 to locate a definite spot on the ocean bottom, even with 

 the best of bearings. 



Our time had run out, and we had not found Colum- 

 bus's flagship. The following day we would oflBcially pre- 

 sent the ancient anchor to the city of Cap Haitien, re- 

 plenish our water and supplies, and make ready to leave 

 for the Silver shoals. But Ed was resolved that when his 

 stint there was ended, he would return to Cap Haitien 

 and continue the search for the Santa Maria. 



We were up at dawn the next morning to ready ship 

 for the ceremony, which was to take place on the municipal 

 docks at noon. We scrubbed and polished Sea Diver until 

 she shone, broke out all her flags from tlie masthead, and 

 arranged our choicest relics, pieces of eight and gold dou- 

 bloons, for display. 



Then, when we had moved Sea Diver from her moor- 

 ing to the dock, the men rigged the anchor from the small 

 boom so that it could be swung ashore easily. Sea Diver 

 and the ancient relic suspended above her deck immedi- 



Search for the Santa Maria 221 



