The vessel, first spotted in 2022 and lying just six meters deep near Cabopino, features a remarkably preserved structure and parts of its cargo. Researchers are trying to determine if it is an Italian merchant ship that sank in November 1887, a discovery that could significantly advance the understanding of 19th-century maritime trade.
Patricia del Pozo, Culture Minister for the Regional Government of Andalusia, stated that the shipwreck is "a first-rate material testament to contemporary maritime history." She added that its study "will help advance our understanding of the history of transoceanic trade during the 19th century."
The exploration, scheduled to run until September 30, is being conducted by divers from the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH). Their task involves investigating the archaeological site and gathering evidence to identify the ship.
During a preliminary survey in 2022, researchers found preserved cargo, including French-made roof and floor tiles bearing marks from Marseille manufacturers, and several barrels containing wood, suggesting the ship was carrying construction materials across the Mediterranean.
Investigators are currently working on the hypothesis that the Cabopino wreck could be the 'Gagliano' or 'Garegliano', a two-masted Italian merchant ship believed to have foundered while transporting construction materials from Marseille to Buenos Aires. The IAPH notes that historical records and archaeological evidence "match closely".
