The most recent wreck finding around ...

[fernando]

This is an exciting one; just 10 miles North from my home town, Esposende, not far from the shore. The rocky coast in this area is the cause for a rough sea and, up to now, only endless objects of small dimensins came ashore; the big thing is still in the bottom, waiting for better sea conditions. But so far it is confirmed that it is an Iberian Nau (carrack), from the 1500's period, with a 30 meters length, apparently on its way from Northern Europe; the study of the wood will help identify its provenance (Portugal ... Spain), as will also do the marks that should exist in some of the four cannons, those of iron and bronze, namely culverins and breech loaders (berços).


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[Marcus den toom]

Very interesting Nando, Please keepp us posted

[fernando]

Thank you Marcus,
I will periodically contact the city hall, to check when the cannons emerge ... and where and when they will exhibit them.

[M ELEY]

Wow! Right in your 'back yard'! That's awesome, 'Nando! I just finished reading Robert Marx' 'The Search for Sunken Treasure' and Clifford's 'Destination Whydah'. Great stuff!

[fernando]

Thank you Captain ,

This ship being approx. the size of the Whydah, was a rather earlier merchant one; maybe not a good catch for pirates ... no gold or jewels reported . This could be taken as granted, as apparently it was found intact by civilans, that not by wreck hunters. Still it has a treasure for us to admire, which are the guns. Let's see hat comes up.

[Rick]

We cannot dismiss the possibility out of hand that she was attacked by Corsairs from North Africa.
History tells us that they raided as far north as Iceland.

Galley slaves were a hot commodity back then.

[fernando]

Not impossible, Rick ... but not probable either. She has sunk close from the shore, crushed by the rocky coast this is. Locals noticed her presence when, after a sea storm (already in 2014, but apparently not publicized), several objects started coming ashore. I guess pirates wouldn't also dare coming so close from the rocks. It is not uncommon having ships loosing their route and hit the shore rocks; it the old days this was more common. On the other hand she could have been atacked, loose rudder and come wreck close from the beach; but no news appointin in such direction ... yet.
So far they are studying the ships's wood parts they already salvaged; an vital factor to cionfirm her origin ship yard. I will try and contact that city's museum director; she might know things, namely on the cannons rescue agenda.


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[fernando]

Definitely it will be long before they rescue the cannons, to my despair. I have visited the local Museulogic facilities and a girl with a French accent (?) said that they still wait for good (sea) conditions ... and that also some American guys are coming to assist in the works (how about that ?). According to the three different sizes (calibers) of the stone balls (pelouros) exhibited, there must be a variety of cannons down there. And, nor does man live by bread alone, i took a couple ictures of some of the findings that came ashore in the mean time. The girls says there are many others kept 'downstairs'. The usual story; they always have more than those they show ... and then, who is going to check if some of hose things don't fly away ?
The 'offerings plate' depicts Saint Christopher.
The only problem with my visit was that the museologic center is situated in an archelogic site and some period warrior came chasing me.


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[M ELEY]

Awesome pics, Fernando! Keep 'em coming! Is that terra cotta 'pot' in the right hand corner flat on the bottom (drinking vessel) or is it rounded (fire pot or grenade/bombard)?

Remember this?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18301

BTW, that 'warrior' is looking pretty fierce!!

[mariusgmioc]

Very interesting! Thank you for sharing!

And relax, after so many hundreds of years on the bottom of the sea, a few more months won't make any difference.

Liked the last photo too. Made me smile.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Awesome pics, Fernando! Keep 'em coming! Is that terra cotta 'pot' in the right hand corner flat on the bottom (drinking vessel) or is it rounded (fire pot or grenade/bombard)? ...

Yes Captain, a true fire pot.
The girl with the French accent said they had to unfuse it before placing it in the vitrine .

Originally Posted by M ELEY

...BTW, that 'warrior' is looking pretty fierce!!

Wait till you see him in action

[fernando]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

...Liked the last photo too. Made me smile.

Why smile, Marius ? It is a very serious scene

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by fernando

Why smile, Marius ? It is a very serious scene

I smiled seriously!

[kronckew]

i like the round houses behind that grizzled veteran.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by kronckew

i like the round houses behind that grizzled veteran.

Those are a few that archeologists reconstructed as from their remnants in São Lourenço, one of several settlements (Castros) we may see around, that were inhabited since III-II century BC through to Romanization.

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[kronckew]

cool, almost as old as that warrior ()

[fernando]

I have phoned the city archaeologist. The cannons are still there and there they will be. Too much red tape and misinformation. The state department requires that, among other conditions, stainless steel tanks must be provided to plunge the cannons and submit hem to anti-corrosion treatment (electrolysis). When the State dropped the city hall licence application, the tanks were already there, but they didn't now. It will be another zillion years to achieve the necessary authorization to rescue the cannons; which is no easy task, due to their localization, sandwiched between rocks.


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[M ELEY]

Well, "Nando, judging from that mighty warrior pic of yourself from earlier, you could always swim to the bottom and bring them up yourself-

Thanks for continued postings on this fascinating wreck.

[fernando]

I volunteered for such task, with the condition to keep one of them cannons for my little collection ... but they declined .

[M ELEY]

[bvieira]

Hello Fernando,

That is a fantastic find, where i live on Cascais there are reported many shipwrecks, i have dive sometimes here , managed to get part of a board Mill and some lead itens from a ship from Índia carrer.

From the news i understand that hundreds of itens appear on the beach since 2004... Oh oh good i bet there was guys there with a metal detector.

Regards,

BV

[fernando]

Actually i saw an amphora the other day that could well be part of the vast number of items that came ashore... or even recuperated from the bottom of the sea. I have tried to follow its track, but it vanished.