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Recovery of La Juliana artefacts continues printable version

20 Jul 2015: posted by the editor - Ireland

The dive on the Spanish Armada wrecks off the coast of Streedagh in Co. Sligo is continuing to yield up more important artefacts from the wreck of La Juliana, parts of which were uncovered on the seabed by recent winter storms and are at particular risk from both the effects of weather and illegal interference.

The latest phase of this work has so far seen the successful recovery of a variety of significant artefacts, including six bronze cannon, one gun carriage wheel, a ship’s cauldron and a number of smaller items.

The variety of guns being recovered graphically illustrates the history of the ship itself from its origins as a trading vessel when it was built in 1570 to its use as a warship during the ill-fated Spanish Armada campaign of 1588. La Juliana formed part of the Spanish fleet of 130 ships, 26 of which were lost around the coast of Ireland. At 860 tons, La Juliana carried 325 soldiers and a crew of 70 mariners. She wrecked along with two other ships, La Lavia and Santa Maria de Vison at Streedagh on the 21 September 1588, with the cumulative loss of over 1,100 souls.

Minister Humphreys said: “The quality of material being recovered is remarkable and the gun carriage wheels, designed for siege warfare on land, paint a very clear picture of the scale and intent of the planned invasion of England by King Phillip II of Spain.”

The Minister confirmed that, because of the conservation process that would need to be followed, it would be up to 2 years before any of the artefacts would be ready to go on display.

The six bronze cannon already recovered over the last two weeks and a gun-carriage wheel are in the process of being brought ashore today and tomorrow for transport to the National Museum of Ireland under the care of one of their conservation officers. The copper cauldron has already been brought ashore and weather permitting the bronze cannon with a dedication to St Sebastian will be recovered today.

- See more at: http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/Gallery/Images/Further_Progress_with_Recovery_of_Spanish_Armada_Guns_.html#sthash.wgqloxd8.dpuf

Tags: La Juliana wreck

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