The May 2nd papers were reporting that the wreck of a 500 year-old Spanish or Portuguese ship has been found on the Atlantic coast of Namibia in Africa. Spanish and Portuguese coins minted in the late 1400s and early 1500s have been found. The reverse sides have the likenesses of monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand.
This find could date back to the earliest African exploreres like Vasco de Gama and Christopher Columbus.
Copper ingots, elephant tusks and cannons have been found as well.
The Namdeb Diamond Corporation found the wreck after they cleared and drained the seabed offshore to search for diamonds. This is a joint effort by the governmewnt of Namibia and the DeBeers Corporation. An earthern wall has vbeen built to keep the water out.
The surf would have pounded the ship to pieces. Plans have been made to go to Spain and Portugal to research ships lost during that time carrying similar cargoes.
And I Wanted to Do Underwater Archaeology in My Younger Days. --Cooter
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