Santa Maria de Visón (de Biscione) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small} Spain |
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| Name | Santa Maria de Vison |
| Builder | Ragusa |
| Acquired | Requisitioned for Armada 6 May 1587 at Naples |
| Fate | Wrecked 22 September 1588 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Carrack |
| Tons burthen | 666 tons |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 70 sailors |
| Armament | 18 guns of various weights of shot |
The Santa Maria de Vison was a large merchant ship built a long time ago in a place called Ragusa (which is now part of Croatia). In 1587, the Spanish navy needed many ships for a huge mission, so they took over the Santa Maria de Vison. This ship became part of the famous Spanish Armada, a giant fleet of ships sent by Spain in 1588. She was a big ship, weighing 666 tons, and she carried 18 cannons to defend herself.
Joining the Great Armada
The Santa Maria de Vison was part of a group called the Levant squadron. This group mostly carried important supplies like food, weapons, and soldiers for the planned invasion of England. It was a very tough journey. Out of all the ships in the Levant squadron, only one managed to sail back to Spain.
During the trip, half of the fleet's medical supplies were moved to the Santa Maria de Vison. This happened because another ship, the La Paz, was too damaged to continue sailing safely.
A Stormy End
On September 22, 1588, the Santa Maria de Vison faced a terrible storm. She was wrecked off the coast of what is now County Sligo in Ireland, near a sandy beach called Streedagh strand.
Her wreck was found in 1985 by a team from England who were looking for old shipwrecks. Today, the wreck of the Santa Maria de Vison is protected by special laws in Ireland. This means it is an important historical site and cannot be disturbed without permission.
