When one thinks of Spanish galleons and shipwrecks, thoughts generally turn to the azure waters of the Caribbean. But given their vast exploration of the seas, you can find Spanish shipwrecks even in the most unlikely of places. One such ship lies less than half a mile off the shores of Ireland. The La Juliana shipwreck is a 16th century Spanish ship who never made her way home from the Emerald Isle.
Resting a mere 65 feet down, La Juliana remained lost to the sea for more than 400 years before fierce storms uncovered her remains. Salvagers were able to retrieve cannons and an anchor from the foundered vessel for identification and historical preservation. Artifacts collected have been put on display in the National Museum of Ireland.
The La Juliana shipwreck isn’t alone on the Irish coast. An entire Spanish armada once sailed these waters. Operating as transport ships rather than warships, bad weather sent several of these vessels to the bottom in 1570. Two other ships, La Lavia and La Santa Maria de Vision, had been anchored with La Juliana off the coast of Sligo, Ireland when a savage storm struck. Already battle scarred from skirmishes they were not built to handle, the crews tried to get their ships out to open water but ended up being pushed down the coast to to Steedagh Strand where they met their end.
As hundreds of sailors perished in the sea, those who made it ashore were met by the local British military, and were killed on the spot. Some escaped and were able to take shelter with an Irish Chieftain, Brian O’Rourke, who was no friend to the English occupant forces.
Over the course of the 30 years since the discovery of La Juliana, storms have occasionally washed parts of the wreckage ashore. The 2014 beaching of her large rudder has spurred new efforts to safeguard what is left of these wrecks. In addition to the historic value, the possibility of increasing scuba tourism to the area is a factor in these preservation efforts. The La Juliana shipwreck, along with her sisters and many other vessels, are waiting for divers willing to brave these chilly waters.
