Christopher Columbus's Ravens.
The Santa Maria was the ship which Columbus captained when he discovered the New World in 1492.
Fast forward to 2026 and an exact full size replica is currently berthed in Douglas harbour along with it's crew of 14 volunteers.
The "Nao Santa Maria" is used as a training and museum ship, but on Sunday afternoon, the Captain had a problem.
The on the long sea passage over the Irish Sea from Barrow-in-Furness, he realised that supplies of football shirts on the ship were critically low.
He had searched high and low throughout all of Douglas to try to replenish his stock, but to no avail.
This is where the very special Manx Community came into its own. He spoke to our friends at the NSC, who knew someone, who called someone, who called someone else, who did things and made things happen!
The home and away shirts (and bobble hats and "This ship follows the Raven's" stickers) were duly delivered, meaning that the ship is now fully stocked with football shirts and ready to continue it's voyage on the next adventure.
We hope to have updates of where the replica shirts make it to on their travels.
If you have photos of far flung places you have travelled to in your Raven's top (such as Bride or even Andreas), send them to us on socials, and you never know, we may issue some prizes out for our favourites!
With thanks to Captain Francisco and the crew of the Nao Santa Maria - our new Spanish fans!!
