View Full Version : The Portencross Galleon
Bet its been a while since you dived at portencross where the Spanish galleon sank in 1740, just off Farland head. And I bet a few of you didn't know about the Galleon. I'm adding it to the divesites section. If you would like more info on portencross and the Galleon check out these links
http://www.portencrosscastle.org.uk/backgroundmore.php
http://fp.ayrshireroots.plus.com/Genealogy/Reference/Shipwrecks.htm#Portencross%20Galleon
http://www.divernet.com/wrecks/wrkqa198.htm
Find the Galleon and the Treasure.....
Sorry to disappoint, according to research there were no treasure ships in the Armada:eek: About 25 years ago when I was 7,:confused: I found parts of flintlock pistols while another diver from my group found a nice brooch. I also found out that the ballast stone came from Lake Sevile, find the stones you have found the wreck. PS, It is in 23 Mtrs.;)
John's just submitted a great guide to this site. Read it at: http://www.congeralley.com/sites/Portencross.htm
Certainly some recoveries of guns, both bronze and iron, are noted in 1740 from a wreck "scarce a quarter of a mile from the shore, in ten fathom and a foot of water".
Thats 400m from the shore at a depth of 18-20m ;)
Sorry to disappoint, according to research there were no treasure ships in the Armada:eek: About 25 years ago when I was 7,:confused: I found parts of flintlock pistols while another diver from my group found a nice brooch. I also found out that the ballast stone came from Lake Sevile, find the stones you have found the wreck. PS, It is in 23 Mtrs.;)
Can u remember where in relation to the castle the wreck was? ;) PM me
I fancy going for a dip to get some U/W photos for the divesite description.
Sorry to disappoint, according to research there were no treasure ships in the Armada:eek: About 25 years ago when I was 7,:confused: I found parts of flintlock pistols while another diver from my group found a nice brooch. I also found out that the ballast stone came from Lake Sevile, find the stones you have found the wreck. PS, It is in 23 Mtrs.;)
But they have got a lot of gold off some of them and cannons are valuable. If one broach and pistol parts have been found what else is still there? ;)
Will need to see if I can find the location and mark it on the divemap and divers can have a wee look about...
But they have got a lot of gold off some of them and cannons are valuable. If one broach and pistol parts have been found what else is still there?
Will need to see if I can find the location and mark it on the divemap and divers can have a wee look about...
i think i have a map of it somewhere...:confused:
ahh, yes... here it is!:D
http://familyfun.go.com/Resources/Features/parties/birthday/treasure_map.jpg
please dont show this to anyone ding, this is between you & me ;)
Has anyone dived this recently, we are heading over there tomorrow for a looksee obviously weather dependent, and any directions as to where we may find the wreck remains would be good
ta
I had been searching due west from the castle, because I was led to believe that the cannon that stood there was pointing in the direction of the wreck site. However, years ago I found out that the cannon was first placed at the small bay beside the castle, then replaced next to the castle. Jim Caddis told me there is a rock on the shore with N, S, E and W markings on it. So I would take a bearing from the bay pointing NNW ish and take it from there.
I had been searching due west from the castle, because I was led to believe that the cannon that stood there was pointing in the direction of the wreck site. However, years ago I found out that the cannon was first placed at the small bay beside the castle, then replaced next to the castle. Jim Caddis told me there is a rock on the shore with N, S, E and W markings on it. So I would take a bearing from the bay pointing NNW ish and take it from there.
pointing NNW ish and take it from there. There are some guys diving portencross this weekend so mabee we will get some pictures of the Galleon..:D
Check out the Scottish divesites, Portencross, (Top left on the homepage,) there is a picture of the cannon and the castle...
Might tag along for the day, though I can't dive due to a cold :(
Cheers for the info, Ding & Billy :)
I had been searching due west from the castle, because I was led to believe that the cannon that stood there was pointing in the direction of the wreck site. However, years ago I found out that the cannon was first placed at the small bay beside the castle, then replaced next to the castle. Jim Caddis told me there is a rock on the shore with N, S, E and W markings on it. So I would take a bearing from the bay pointing NNW ish and take it from there.Billy, do you mean heading NNW from the bay below (that Ding marked as the exit point in his guide)?
http://www.congeralley.com/sites/Portencross_files/image004.jpg
Yes Charlie, stand at the boulder (the cannon used to sit there many many years ago) to the right of the upturned rowing boat and head straight out. It is a long way to go so don't get it confused with the Lady Margaret which is closer to the shore. Are you going there this Sunday?
Yes Charlie, stand at the boulder (the cannon used to sit there many many years ago) to the right of the upturned rowing boat and head straight out. It is a long way to go so don't get it confused with the Lady Margaret which is closer to the shore. Cheers, Billy. :)
Are you going there this Sunday?Yeah, that's our plan.
You could make a u/w map when u r there and mark any noticable things in relation to the castle cheers
OK, we'll try! ;)
Did u guys find the galeon or the gold?;)
Did u guys find the galeon or the gold?;)No joy I'm afraid. :(
We headed NNW from the bay beside the castle & finned fairly hard for 35 min. Only reached a depth of 9m with a sandy featureless bottom. ;)
Had a lovely long second dive (75 min) by heading out of the bay & turning left to follow the reef along. Again, not much depth (10m) but lots of life including many wrasse & a massive lobster who decided to come out of his hole to investigate us. Exited at the car park. Enjoyed the site & the 2nd dive: would do it again.
Thanks again for the site guide, Ding.
http://staff.stir.ac.uk/charles.mcgurk/diving/susac151006/lobster.jpg
Never mind mabee next time.....
For anybody who has not dived the Portencross Galeon
Have a look at the scottish divesites for Info on
how to dive portencross
Have fun
PS 50-50 with the treasure :D
Cheers, Ding.
Any further ideas on where the galleon might actually be?
Cheers, Ding.
Any further ideas on where the galleon might actually be?
A galleon that sank such a long time ago will look like rocks ect on the seabed so you will have to look close, and study the terain It wont have a bow and stern and a skeleton sitting on a treasure chest holding a sword. And that a pity I'd just love to see that at 50-60m just deep enough for a wee bit nitrogen narcosis...what a mental picture...I think its the lack of helium that does it...;)
Cheers, Ding.
I realise that there wouldn't be much of the wreckage left to see, but our immediate problem was that it was supposed to be in 18m+ & we only got to ~9m. This was despite finning pretty hard for 35 min NNW from the bay beside the castle. How much further would we have had to go: half way to L. Cumbrae? ;)
I just wonder if Billy's suggested bearing etc is accurate?
Certainly some recoveries of guns, both bronze and iron, are noted in 1740 from a wreck "scarce a quarter of a mile from the shore, in ten fathom and a foot of water".
Thats 400m from the shore at a depth of 18-20m ;)
This is a quote from somewhere I'v forgot where I got the info :D
http://www.portencrosscastle.org.uk/backgroundmore.php
http://fp.ayrshireroots.plus.com/Gen...ross%20Galleon
Thanks, Ding :)
Yeah, I suppose 400m is quite a swim right enough (we probably didn't go that far): might be better with a boat! ;)
Thanks for the hyperlinks: 2nd one didn't connect for me though. :(
I just wonder if Billy's suggested bearing etc is accurate?
I did say it was a long way out. You will be looking for ballast stone roughly 90' x 15' (?), cant remember the exact dimensions, so it will be like looking for a needle in a haystack after all these years. However, I have since found out that Budgy knows of someone who may have found the ballast stone from the wreck. Will keep you all posted
Cheers, Billy :)
The plot thickens... :cool:
I did say it was a long way out. You will be looking for ballast stone roughly 90' x 15' (?), cant remember the exact dimensions, so it will be like looking for a needle in a haystack after all these years. However, I have since found out that Budgy knows of someone who may have found the ballast stone from the wreck. Will keep you all posted
We r still waiting, all the treasure hunters have there cars packed ready waiting for your post so they can be the first on the wreck......:D
Of course I may know the exact location and just giving you all wrong directions so that I can keep all the treasure to myself :D
Ballast stone has been found by someone from Atlantic Divers in 18 metres, no mention of where though. However, the cannon was placed next to the castle facing due west, which was supposed to be where the wreck sank. Myself and others have searched this area (Farland Head) for years and have not came across any wreckage. Though wreckage had been salvaged years ago close to shore. timbers etc. I don't remember if it had been id'd as the galleon.
Some years ago I had found out that the cannon was placed in the bay pointing towards Cumbrae, which may be where the galleon is now? A bloke I met years ago told me that a side scan sonor had been carried out near the area described above, this disclosed rock at 18-20 metre contour, of course, this could be natural rock face, maybe ballast stone. A boat is definitley required and I need to get the dust off my underwater metal detector. Feel like having another shot at locating this wreck.
Cheers for the info, Billy. :)
Keep us posted on developments: if you want any asssistance, just let us know. ;)