Replica of Columbus' Santa Maria ship to dock in Beaufort now delayed

BEAUFORT, S.C. (WTGS FOX 28) — Update:

Due to harsh weather conditions, the replica of the Santa Maria will not be in Beaufort Friday.

According to a spokesperson with the Nao Santa Maria, they believe the ship will arrive Sunday; however they are not positive.

The ship made an emergency dock today and cannot continue on it's way to Beaufort at this time.

We will update the story as we get more information.

Original:

A full scale, working replica of the original Santa Maria ship, captained by Christopher Columbus in 1492, is making it's way to Beaufort next week!

The ship will dock in the Downtown Beaufort Marina on March 29 and will be open for tours through April 7 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

According to the Fundacion Nao Victoria, the organization that is responsible for the ship, "the visit is a self guided tour through the 4 decks of the Santa María, where you can find informative panels with the history of the ship, ornamental elements of the time and talk with the crew to feel how to live the Spanish sailors 500 years ago."

The self guided tours will cost $5 for children ages 5-10 and $10 for those 11 and older. A family package is also available for two adults and up three kids (5-10 yrs) for $25.

To buy tickets aboard the ship, click here.

Back in 2014 and 2017, the organizations other replica ships, the Nina and the Pinta, made their own appearances in Beaufort.

In addition, the USCB Center for the Arts is hosting a Shipwrecks of America’s Lost Century symposium on April 5 in line with the ship's visitation.

S.C. underwater archaeologist, James Spirek, directs a symposium of 10 archaeologists and historians from around the country. Presentations include Spain’s 1526 South Carolina-Georgia coast colonization attempt, the wrecked 1565 Ribaut ?eet, and the 1576 French corsair 'Le Prince' resting at the bottom of Port Royal Sound.

The symposium will cost $30 a person for the public, $20 for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and Santa Elena Foundation Members and $10 for University of South Carolina-Beaufort students and faculty.

Seats are limited. For registration information, click here.