Posted on 08/06/2011 5:45:50 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
The wreckage of a sunken vessel believed to be from the Spanish Armada has been discovered off the Donegal coast... in shallow waters in Rutland Harbour, near Burtonport.
Evidence uncovered during a dive survey revealed the vessel was likely to be a 16th-century ship, possibly part of the 1588 Spanish Armada.
Heritage minister Jimmy Deenihan... said the discovery was a major find of significance not only to Ireland but also to the international archaeological, historical and maritime communities.
"If, in fact, it proves to be an Armada vessel, it could constitute one of the most intact of these wrecks discovered to date," he said.
"It could provide huge insight into life on board and the reality of the military and naval resources available to the Armada campaign."
Up to 24 ships of the 130-strong ill-fated fleet were wrecked along Ireland's rocky coastline. The location of the latest vessel means the search team will have better than usual access to find any artefacts that may still be on board.
Nearly 10,000 pieces of valuable treasure were discovered on the biggest ship in the fleet, the Girona, which sunk off the Antrim north coast in October 1588. The haul brought ashore by divers included hundreds of gold and silver coins, gold chains, pendants, rings and cameos containing inset rubies and pearls, silver forks and spoons, the ship's anchor, cannons and cannon balls.
Mr Deenihan said the Geological Survey of Ireland is supplying one of its research vessels, the RV Keary, free of charge as the main dive vessel off Donegal and will also carry out detailed marine geophysical surveys in the vicinity of the wreck.
(Excerpt) Read more at belfasttelegraph.co.uk ...
It’s true. Besides, even if there *were* any truth to the rumors, those 16th century sailors ought to have screamed “This is why you don’t let a woman steer a ship” in English.
Hmmph.
But, of course, there is no truth to the rumors.
So that’s what happened...
Oh, sure, take *their* side.
You can’t prove anything!
My mother’s Irish family was interesting ... four sisters, two “black Irish” and two Nordic blondes. All very, very fair skin and incredibly blue eyes. (also, 2 were tall/2 short .. go figure). Genes are a funny thing.
I suppose you’ll say you were out of town when it happened — but, ah-ha! Didn’t this all take place out of town? I mean, they were ships for cryin’ out loud.
Exactly. I was out of town, nowhere near the ship’s wheel.
Besides, it’s not like there are currently any survivors to testify that I *was* there, but that is immaterial since I was certainly *not* there.
They’d be pretty old by now. And even 400 years ago, there weren’t that many who could wear the t-shirt “I Survived the Armada”.
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