Archaelogists to investigate ‘exciting’ Spanish galleon

SONAR surveys of a sunken Spanish galleon off the Cork coast have revealed previously unseen images, which have so excited marine archaeologists they intend to carry out a major dive next summer.

Connie Kelleher, an archaeologist attached to the underwater unit at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, is to carry out an independent investigation into “the very exciting” wreck which lies at the entrance to Castlehaven harbour.

The ship, the Santa Ana Maria, which was built in 1628, was running silver from the New World to Spain when she was captured by a Dutch privateer, Piet Hayn.