Studies on wrought iron pieces from the Villarino ship, 1880 (Argentina)

MARIA LUCCHETTA ; GUILLERMO GUTIÉRREZ; HORACIO DE ROSA

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Elsevier

Año: 2021 vol. 39 p. 1 - 9

2352-409X

The Villarino steamer was a transport vessel of the Argentine Navy launched in 1880, which main task was to transport passengers and cargo between Buenos Aires and the Argentine Patagonian ports. This shipwreck has a remarkable historical significance for having repatriated the remains of José de San Martín, a central figure in Argentina?s fight for independence, from France to Buenos Aires. It sank in 1899 off the town of Camarones, Province of Chubut, Argentina. The main goal of this work is to present a metallurgical characterization of the parts used in the construction of the Villarino hull, in order to extend the knowledge of the technology used in this ship. In addition, the authors attempt to put the results into a historical context, relating it to technological changes that occurred in the naval industry in the second half of the 19th century.