That December , the Santa Maria accidentally ran aground off the island 's coast . Explorer says ship he believes is Santa Maria has been partially looted . The captain of the ship, which was carrying a cargo of iron ore from Brazil to China, said it had been attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden and that his crew were being held hostage for ransom. Haiti prime minister : If wreck is Santa Maria , discovery would be of 'great importance ' to nation .
Explorer says ship he believes is Santa Maria has been partially looted . The captain of the ship, which was carrying a cargo of iron ore from Brazil to China, said it had been attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden and that his crew were being held hostage for ransom. Haiti prime minister : If wreck is Santa Maria , discovery would be of 'great importance ' to nation .