Fincing an Anclent Ship.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 436, 11 January 1890, Page 3

Fincing an Anclent Ship.

During the dredging operations now going on in the port of Santander, Spain, the wellpreserved remains of a warship were encountered at the entrance to the harbour, partly buried in sand and mud, which must have gone down in that spot four centuries ago. As the dredgers could nob remove the old hull, the Spanish Government ordered it to be blown .up and to employ divers for saving what could be saved. The work has turned out a very profitable one, and great care is consequently displayed. The vessel dates probably from the end of the fifteenth or the beginning of the sixteenth century. Guns and other equip ments raised show the united coat of arms of Castille and Arragon, and some bear the scroll ot Isabella la Catolica, others the crowned Fof Ferdinand the C itholie. As amongst the numerous arms found on board there are many of Italian or French origin, and the vessel appears to have acted as a transport, it is generally believed that she belonged to the expedition of Gonzalo de Cordoba against Naples, and that she foundered on her return from Italy, laden with trophies and plunder, on entering the port of Santander. This surmise is supported by the fact that amongst the coin saved there are, besides Spanish coinage of the time of the Catholic kings, numerous coins with the head of Charles VIII. of France and the various Italian States of the time. Since the discovery was made the diving and saving operations are carried on with great energy, as it is hoped to meet with valuable finds from an expedition which was particularly rich in plunder.