Ghosts of the Caribbean. Recent research on El Angel shipwreck: a 19th Century composite-hull, sailing merchantman in Chinchorro Bank, Mexico

CARRILLO, LAURA; CIARLO, NICOLÁS C.; ZUCCOLOTTO, ANDRÉS; GUZMÁN, JOSUÉ

Kemer

Congreso; 12th International Symposium on Underwater Research; 2020

Akdeniz University | Kemer Promotion Foundation

El Angel wreck site is located in the shallow waters of southern Chinchorro Bank, in the Caribbean Sea, about 42 km off the eastern coast of Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. It is the grave of a sailing vessel, which most likely sank after striking her bottom against the nearby coral reef barriers. At present, no upper works of the ship are preserved, then indicating that it was a wooden vessel (Teredo navalis affectation in these waters is a major problem for conservation of organic materials). Archaeological investigation has been carried on this shipwreck since 2014 by the Vice-Directorate of Underwater Archaeology, of the National Institute for Anthropology and History (Mexico), in collaboration with international researchers; studies have mainly focused on explore the shipwreck dating, geocultural origin, purpose, and particular issues, such as hull-construction, service-history and fate. Systematic excavations in the bow and mid-ship section have led to know that the ship was built according 18th-century wooden ship construction, but featuring improvements developed by the industrial revolution in shipbuilding, such as iron structural reinforcements and metal fasteners, as well as Copper-alloy hull sheathing. Besides, it was discovered that this vessel was loaded with a logwood cargo when it went to Davy Jones' locker. At present, information obtained suggests that the wrecked ship was a long-service merchantman, probably built at early 19th century and later subjected to major repairs. Because its load, it is possible to assert that the ship was immersed in the British logwood traffic, a maritime sphere that linked Belize with the US and Europe.