Georgetown presentation to explore search for historic Spanish shipwreck

Posted: Aug 13, 2026 / 08:59 AM EDT 

Georgetown County News 

by: Tim Renaud

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCBD) – A public presentation in Georgetown on Thursday will examine an ongoing search for a shipwreck that researchers believe could help answer questions about one of the earliest European expeditions to what is now the United States.

The free event will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Winyah Auditorium and will focus on the search for the Spanish ship Capitana, the flagship of the 1526 expedition led by Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón.

According to organizers, many historians believe Ayllón’s expedition established San Miguel de Gualdape, a settlement that predates Jamestown by more than 80 years and is considered by some to be the first European settlement in what is now the United States.

Researchers say locating the Capitana could provide important evidence about the expedition and help shed light on a chapter of American history that has remained a mystery for nearly 500 years.

The presentation will be led by James Spirek, a maritime archaeologist with the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, with an introduction by archaeologist and historian Dr. Chester DePratter.

Organizers say attendees will hear about the latest developments in the search, the archaeological techniques being used and why the effort has drawn national attention.

According to historical accounts, the Capitana wrecked near a river believed to be today’s North Santee River in Georgetown County, resulting in the loss of critical supplies. Survivors later established the colony of San Miguel de Gualdape, which was ultimately abandoned after only a few weeks.

Fog drifts over the still waters of the North Santee River as the sun rises, Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, in Georgetown, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The event is presented by the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology in partnership with the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce. Admission is free, though organizers encourage advance registration through VisitGeorge.com.

Officials say the program will also give attendees an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the ongoing effort to locate what could be one of the most significant shipwrecks in American history.

Learn more about the exploration and Thursday’s event by clicking here.