Parts of the Santa Maria


The Forecastle Deck

The watch was kept from the deck of the Forecastle. The forsail and spritsail were worked from here, also.


Beneath the Forecastle

The cooking was done in a small iron firebox on the deck beneath the forecastle. The ship's boys cooked one hot meal a day for the crew of 40.


View of the Quarterdeck

Looking down on the ship, you can see the quarterdeck and the cabin.


Inside the Hold

The hold would have been much darker than shown here. It would have been full of cargo and ballast. It would also have rats and bilge water. It was against Spanish maritime policy for sailors to sleep in the hold.


Steerage

The area beneath the quarterdeck was known as steerage. The ship was steered from here with a tiller - the ship's wheel would not be invented for another 200 years. The helmsman could not see where the ship was going. He steered by the compass. The crew lived in steerage. On the left is a breech-loaded cannon.