Only one person survived: a boy named Giovanni. The Santa Maria de la Rosa, Vice Flagship of the Guipuzcoan squadron of the 1588 Spanish Armada, entered Blasket Sound already battered from earlier engagements, seeking shelter behind Great Blasket Island. She lost her anchor and struck Stromboli Reef, sinking instantly. The wreck was rediscovered on 4 July 1968 by Sydney Wignall and Colin Martin -- making it the first Armada wreck to receive proper scientific investigation and the site of the first large-scale swimline search in the British Isles. Archaeological remains at 35-40 metres on flat shingle include a mound of ballast stones with parts of the lower hull and main mast step. A pewter plate inscribed "matute" helped identify two crew brothers. Protected archaeological site; permission required. Strong tidal currents in Blasket Sound make this a challenging technical dive.
Part of the Spanish Armada of 1588. The Santa Maria de la Rosa, a 945-ton galleon captained by the Basque Martin de Villafranca, was already heavily damaged when she entered Blasket Sound seeking shelter behind Great Blasket Island from an Atlantic storm on 21 September 1588. She lost her anchor and was driven onto Stromboli Reef in the Sound. The ship sank instantly. Only one crew member survived — a young Italian boy named Giovanni, who was later interrogated by the English. The wreck site was located by Sydney Wignall and Colin Martin on 4 July 1968, when ballast stones were sighted during what was planned as one of their final dives of the season.
Santa Maria de la Rosa is a galleon wreck located off Kerry, Ireland at a depth of 40 metres. The vessel was lost due to Storm damage / grounding in 1588. The wreck is diveable.
Santa Maria de la Rosa lies at 35 to 40 metres depth, Blasket Sound, between Great Blasket Island and Dunmore Head.
Santa Maria de la Rosa was lost due to Storm damage / grounding on 1 January 1588 during Spanish Armada 1588, off Kerry, Ireland.
Diving the Santa Maria de la Rosa is rated technical and is requires technical diving qualifications including decompression procedures.
The best months to dive Santa Maria de la Rosa are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 9°C in winter to 16°C in summer.
Santa Maria de la Rosa is accessed by boat from Dingle, Kerry, Ireland. A dive permit is required.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 9.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 9.5°C | 7.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 10.5°C | 8.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| May | 12.0°C | 10.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jun | 13.5°C | 12.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jul | 15.0°C | 14.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Aug | 16.0°C | 14.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Sep | 15.0°C | 12.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Oct | 13.0°C | 9.0m | marginal | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Nov | 11.0°C | 7.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 10.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
6 evidence records from 5 sources.
Santa Maria de la Rosa at 35-40m on flat shingle bottom in Blasket Sound.
Wignall and Colin Martin discovered the wreck on 4 July 1968. First large-scale swimline search in the British Isles. First Armada shipwreck to receive proper scientific investigation.
Santa Maria de la Rosa, 945-ton ship, sank in Blasket Sound September 1588. Ballast stones discovered with hull planking and mast step beneath. Many cannonballs found but no cannons. Pewter plate inscribed "matute" helped identify crew members.
Spanish Armada 1588. Entered Blasket Sound seeking shelter. Lost anchor, ran on reef, sank instantly. Only survivor: a boy named Giovanni.
Wignall initiated searches in mid-1960s. Breakthrough on July 4, 1968 when ballast stones identified during final dive of season.
Santa Maria de la Rosa — historically significant archaeological site. May require permission.
Blasket Sound, between Great Blasket Island and Dunmore Head