Desk Based Assessment

Date 20 March 1972

Event ID 885008

Category Recording

Type Desk Based Assessment

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/885008

NM55NW 4

Spanish Galleon (Florencia) - sank here 1588

NM 509 530 (Area)

One of the galleons of the Spanish Armada, the Florencia, sheltered in Tobermory Bay in Oct 1588. According to documents in the possession of the Duke of Argyll, in whom is vested the ownership of the wreck, she carried pay chests of the Spanish army which was to have invaded England. On the point of departure from the bay, the ship was damaged by an explosion and sank 300 yds off what is now the New Pier. Attempts to salvage the treasure have been made from time to time, though Sacheverell, Governor of the Isle of Man is reported to have recovered much of the lost bullion on the first salvage expedition in 1688.

Information from OS (IF) 20 March 1972

P A Macnab 1970