Divers from the Divers Cape centre in Sagres have traced remains of a wreck which they believe is the 17th century boat of Pedro Diaz, which was carrying gold when it was shipwrecked in the port of Baleeira after sailing from Argentina in 1608.
A team from the centre carried out tests with specialist equipment accompanied by Spanish archaeologist Dr. Claudio Lozano Guerra Librero and Patricio Romero Morales, a member of the sub-aqua rescue unit of Huelva.
They were able to confirm the presence of ancient large oak fragments and metal bolts that support the theory that these are the remains of the craft which Pedro Diaz sailed from Buenos Aires, via Brazil to Portugal.
The discovery tallies with references in archives studied by Dr. Claudio which give details of the sinkings of Spanish and other boats over the centuries in or near Baleeira.
The boat, whose name is unknown and belonged to Pedro Diaz, is known to have been carrying gold and precious metals as contraband during its long and fateful voyage.
Over the years, various objects of gold have been found in the beach area near Baleeira. In 1617, three gold bars were found and, in 1625, records show that another gold fragment was discovered.
The remains of the shipwrecked boat lie in sand at a depth of about 12 metres and a spokesperson for Divers Cape said it is feasible that other gold relics could be buried there.
Dr. Claudio and Patricio Romero Morales dive regularly with the centre to explore the grottoes and caves of the nearby São Vicente area and worked in this recent exciting discovery with Daniel Michael Balmer and Cristovão Pereira da Silva Catarino of the Divers Cape centre.
A centre spokesman added that it is expected that the competent archaeological authorities (IPAR) will officially ratify the find within about four weeks and this will create an important new contribution to the tourist attractions and cultural patrimony of Sagres.
The discovery has been reported to the relevant authorities and confirmation of the identity of the find is awaited.
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