Irish Wrecks On-Line - Girona SV (No. 510)

*Vessel Type:*	Galleass	*Location:*	Co. Antrim
*Date of Loss:*	27th October 1588	*Place:*	Lacada Point, Port na Spaniagh
*Cause of Loss:*	Struck rocks	*Boat Dive from:*	Portballintrae or Ballycastle
*Charted Depth:*	6m	*Irish O.S. Map:*	Discovery Series No. 5
*Height of Wreck:*	site only	*Admiralty Chart No:*	2798
*Hull Material:*	Wood	*Latitude:*	55 14 85 North
*Type of Seabed:*	Rocks and sand	*Longitude:*	06 30 05 West
*Average Visibility:*	6 - 10m	*Diving Experience:*	*Protected Wreck*

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Diving Information:

Diving is prohibited within a 300m area centred on the following position:- 55.14.85 North by 06.30.05 West.

Designated a Historic Wreck Site under the Protection of Wrecks Act, 1973.

The wreck itself no longer remains.

Any remains were excavated by archaeologist Robert Stenuit in 1967.

However, there is a very small possibility that some small trinket may be uncovered by the ever shifting sands.

Historical Information:

Part of the Spanish Armada, the Girona had come out of the battle relatively unscathed.
Having put into Killybegs for repairs and provisions, the master, Don Alonzo Martinez de Leiva decided to make for the Catholic west of Scotland.
In a storm she lost her rudder and was driven into Lacada Point just before midnight on the 27th. Between five and thirteen, out of 1,300 men onboard, survived.
The bay was named Port na Spaniagh - "the bay of Spaniards".
A Galleass differs from galleons, in that they have oar power as well as sails. This enables them to manoeuvre at close quarters, with or without wind.

Source Publications:

"Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast 932 - 1997"
by Edward J. Bourke

Edward J. Bourke 1998 - ISBN: 0952302713

"Shipwrecks of the Ulster Coast"
by Ian Wilson

Impact Printing 1997 - ISBN: 0948154993

"The Armada"
by Brice Walker

Time-Life Books 1984 - ISBN: 705406342

Other Sources:

Randal Armstrong

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Castlereagh SAC (1980)

Last update - 16-May-2006