[ad_1]
Researchers finally managed to solve the mystery of the shipwreck nicknamed “Butter Boat”, 250 years after it sank, after finding the remains of its hull off the coast of Ireland.
The skeletal remains of the great ship become visible as the tides change, and for years it has attracted the most curious tourists, according to the British newspaper “Mirror.”
The origin of the famous County Sligo landmark was unknown, and was initially believed to be part of the legendary Spanish ship “Armada” in the 16th century.
Thanks to new archaeological and archival research by Ireland’s National Archaeological Service, the original theory has been discarded and the ship’s true tragic identity revealed.
Wood samples from the shipwreck show that it was built in the first half of the 18th century, after 1712.
The mystery of the shipwreck of ‘Butter Boat’ that left 20 dead finally solved after 250 years https://t.co/YZyVKylWLY pic.twitter.com/kneqcOwh3j
– Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) December 17, 2020
Further investigation into historical accounts from the 18th century led to the ship being identified as a Greyhound, a coastal merchant ship off the port of Whitby in Yorkshire, England.
Twenty people died when it sank on the night of December 12, 1770. Greyhound encountered a storm off the Mayo coast and could not find safe haven in Broadhaven Bay as it was forced to dock at a dangerous site on the cliffs steep slopes of Erris Head.
The Tragic Story of Sligo’s Butter Boat Revealed! @Nationalmons proud to be able to tell the story of the shipwreck and to honor all who died in the heroic rescue mission 250 years ago this month. https://t.co/yTSd8rIH1ahttps://t.co/d9SxMC01Vm@rtenews@DeptHousingIRL#Archeology pic.twitter.com/BsEifRYXus
– National monuments (@NationalMons) December 16, 2020
The crew was forced to abandon ship, but in a tragic omission, a child was left on board. Upon learning of the cabin boy’s plight, crew members, the crew of a passing ship, and local volunteers from Broadhaven Bay attempt to rescue the boy and the unfortunate ship.
While the rescue team was able to board the Greyhound and move the ship off the cliffs, the ship was pushed into the sea by the force of the storm with some volunteer crew members and a cabin boy on board.
Later that night, it crashed into Streedagh Strand, 100 km to the east, killing 20 people. Only one man, Mr. Williams “from Iris”, survived the devastation.
Last Saturday, December 12, was the 250th anniversary of the event, as locals and members of the National Antiquities Team who discovered the story held a ceremony in honor of those who perished in the disaster.
The Housing Administration’s Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan said there was great local interest in the shipwreck and was extremely pleased that the National Antiquities Service was finally able to define its true story, saying: “I am especially surprised for the value of folklore archives for The Applied Archaeological Research Side in revealing the full and tragic history of the ship and those who fell into the tragedy.
“Its tragic story starkly illustrates the dangers of the sea, but also highlights the common bond of the sea that unites people in times of distress from different backgrounds in an effort to save lives.” I am proud that the Ministry has been able to shed light on this story of tragedy and loss, but also extraordinary courage, passion, self-denial and heroism, ”according to Miro.
[ad_2]
