Explorer says he finds wreck of Santa Maria , flagship of Columbus ' fleet , off Florida . Laurence Bergreen believes discovery is highly unlikely , given weather , shifts , tides . Bergreen : The wooden parts of the ship probably have not survived 500 years . Exploration is all about finding something unknown , which often means shaking things up , disproving rather than confirming to arrive at something new . Bergreen : Given potential historic significance , this wreck needs careful examination .
Explorer says he finds wreck of Santa Maria , flagship of Columbus ' fleet , off Florida . Laurence Bergreen believes discovery is highly unlikely , given weather , shifts , tides . Bergreen : The wooden parts of the ship probably have not survived 500 years . Bergreen : Given potential historic significance , this wreck needs careful examination .