Shipwreck off Spanish coast may link France, Argentina

Archaeologists in Marbella, Spain, are investigating a shipwreck to determine if it is an Italian vessel that sank in 1887 while travelling from Marseille, France, to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Historical records and archaeological evidence suggest the ship, possibly named Garegliano or Gagliano, carried construction materials when it wrecked. The ship measures approximately 39 meters long and 15 meters wide, and still holds a portion of its original cargo.

The Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage will conduct a detailed analysis of the wreck site from September 15 to 30. Researchers hope to learn more about 19th-century transatlantic trade networks and construction techniques. The ship’s remains retain significant structural elements and goods, providing a valuable look into contemporary maritime history. Investigators will create a three-dimensional model of the wreck to study it without physical intervention, and to share the findings with the public through virtual reconstructions.

Initial surveys in 2022 revealed the ship was likely built using Mediterranean naval traditions and contained French tiles and bricks from Marseille, indicating a connection between production centers in the Mediterranean and markets in Argentina. The team believes further investigation may reveal more of the ship and its contents currently buried under sediment.