La Lavia Wreck

Field Value
La lavia Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		54 24.570 N,8 33.250 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 54.409500
  • Longitude: -8.554170
Name LA LAVIA
Type merchant vessel
Date Sunk Sep 25, 1588
Original Source Birch, S. & McElvogue, D. 1999, 31-50; , Fallon, N. 1978, 211; Flanagan, L., 1988, 19, 22-23; Martin, C. 1975, 274; Martin, C. & Parker, G. 1988; Moore, F., Brady, K., Kelleher, C. 2015(a), 26-33; Moore, F. Brady, K. Kelleher,C. 2015(b), 26-33
WRECK MAP LOADING ... 54 24.570 N,8 33.250 W
La Lavia on Wreck Map La Lavia Wreck on Google Map
Wreck No: W07024, Place of Loss: Streedagh Strand, Co Sligo, Source of Coordinate: National Monuments Service, Description: A 728-ton Venetian merchantman with 71 mariners and 203 soldiers on board, armed with 25 cannon. She was one of the vessels commandeered by Philip II for his Levantine Squadron when preparing for his planned invasion of England in1588 and was also the vice flagship of the squadron, under the command of judge Advocate-General, Martin de Aranda. While sheltering off Inishmurray off the Sligo coast with two other vessels, La Juliana and the Santa María de Visón, they were caught in a storm on September 21st, dragged their anchors and were driven onto the beach at Streedagh with the loss of over 1000 lives. An account of the wrecking event and his subsequent adventures in Ireland was written by Capt. Francisco de Cuellar who was on board La Lavia. In 1987 a group of English sports divers recovered a small breach-loading swivel gun, identified as a falcon pedrero, from the site which bore the arms of the Labia family of Venice, the original owners of the vessel, thereby confirming the wrecks identity as la Lavia Beneciana (the Lavia of Venice). The foliate decoration and detail similar to other Venetian guns suggest that it was from the foundry of the Alberghetti family. Two wooden gun carriages complete with bronze guns were also identified at La Lavia site in 1987 but were not recovered. The Lavia acted as a hospital ship carrying medical supplies and instruments and for that reason the wreck site has the potential to contain some unique artefacts connected with medical practice of the time. The recovered cannon is now in the National Museum of Ireland. UKHO Wreck No.007400111.

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FAQ

Where is the LA LAVIA wreck located?

The LA LAVIA wreck is located at coordinates 54 24.570 N,8 33.250 W.

When did the LA LAVIA sink?

The LA LAVIA sank on Sep 25, 1588.

What type of wreck is the LA LAVIA?

The LA LAVIA is classified as a merchant vessel.

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