[ad_1]
The mystery of a shipwreck off the coast of Ireland has been solved 250 years after its sinking.
The bony remains of the large ship on the Streedagh Strand in Co Sligo, known locally as the Butter Ship, become visible at low tide as the sand changes.
It is a well-known landmark and popular tourist attraction, but its origin is unknown.
It was thought to be part of the legendary Spanish Armada in the 16th century, but thanks to new archaeological and archival research from the National Monuments Service of Ireland, that theory was discarded and the true identity of the ship discovered.
Timber samples from the shipwreck place the ship’s construction firmly in the first half of the 18th century, somewhat after 1712.
They also indicated that the wood probably came from the English Midlands, possibly from Yorkshire.
Further investigation of 18th century historical accounts led to the ship being identified as the Greyhound, a coastal trading ship from the port of Whitby in Yorkshire, England, owned by Mrs Allely.
Twenty people died when it sank on the night of December 12, 1770.
The Greyhound was caught in a storm off the Mayo coast and, unable to seek a safe harbor in Broadhaven Bay, was driven to anchor in a dangerous position below the cliffs of Erris Head.
The crew was forced to abandon ship.
But in a tragic oversight, a cabin boy stayed on board.
Upon learning of the cabin boy’s plight, some crew members, the crew of a passing ship, Mary from Galway and local volunteers from Broadhaven Bay attempted to rescue the boy and the wrecked ship.
Although the rescue team managed to board the Greyhound and move the ship away from the cliffs, the ship was pushed out to sea by the force of the storm with some volunteer crew members and the cabin boy still on board.
Later that night, she was shipwrecked on the Streedagh Strand, 100 kilometers to the east, with the loss of 20 lives.
Only one man, a Mr. Williams “from Erris”, survived the wreck.
On Saturday December 12, the 250th anniversary of the event, locals and members of the National Monuments team who uncovered the story held a ceremony on Streedagh Strand to pay tribute to the deceased.
The Housing Department’s Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan welcomed the discovery of the full and tragic history of the Greyhound and the events that led to its loss 250 years ago.
Noonan said there had been great local interest in the shipwreck and he was very pleased that the National Monuments Service had finally been able to confirm the identity of the shipwreck, adding the use of scientific data and local stories, passed down through the generations. bore fruit.
“In particular, I am struck by the value of folklore archives coupled with applied archaeological research in uncovering the full and tragic history of the Greyhound and those caught up in the tragedy,” he said.
Its disastrous history clearly illustrates the dangers of the sea, but also highlights how in times of trouble, the common bond of the sea brings people of different origins together in an attempt to save lives.
“I am proud that my department has been able to bring to light this story of tragedy and loss, but also of extraordinary courage, compassion, selflessness and heroism.”
[ad_2]