Mariposa A, late 15th-early 16th century
Country: Italy
Place: Beachfront known as “La Mariposa”, near Alghero, north-western Sardinia, in about 2 m of water a few metres from shore
Coordinates (approximate): 40.5790, 8.3123
Type: Round ship, interpreted as a carrack or nao
Identified: No
Dated: End of the fifteenth or early sixteenth century, from the artefacts
Beam: Unknown.
Keel Length: Unknown.
Length Overall: Unknown.
Number of Masts: Unknown.
History of the wreck
Changes to the coast near Alghero, in north-western Sardinia, exposed the remains of a shipwreck in 1988, a few metres from shore in 2 m of water along the beach called “La Mariposa”. A two-year excavation followed, by the Archeosub Sassari-Alghero Research Center and the Superintendency for Archaeological Heritage of Sassari and Nuoro (Riccardi 1999: 279-280). In the first season the hull was found to contain well-preserved organic material. A violent storm the following spring exposed two more wrecks nearby, Mariposa B and C.
The first season concentrated on the bow and the midship area, the second on the stern. A full excavation was later cancelled because the quantity of organic material overwhelmed the conservation laboratory, and work moved to Mariposa B (Gavini 2013: 77). The ceramics are of Ligurian and Pisan origin, including Po-Emilian graffito mugs, and date the loss to the end of the fifteenth or early sixteenth century (Rovina 1997: 260; Gavini 2013: 79). Recent publications suggest that Mariposa A and B may have sailed together (Riccardi 1999: 282).
The ship seems to have been anchored in shallow water away from Alghero and lost in a storm that buried it quickly. Several tools found in the wreck suggest that attempts were made to recover the ship or its cargo before it was abandoned (Riccardi 1999: 280).
See also the fiche of Mariposa B (Med300), found 60 m away.
Description of the site
The wreck lies in about 2 m of water a few metres from the beach. The ship came to rest on its port side and was quickly buried, which preserved segments of the gunwale (Beltrame 2002: 385, fig. 6). Mariposa B lies 60 m away, and a third wreck, Mariposa C, was only briefly surveyed.
Figure 1. Site plans of the Mariposa B (above) and Mariposa A (below) wrecks (after Beltrame 2002: 385).
Cargo
Pieces of rope, several wooden barrels of sardines, a small amount of ceramics (including Po-Emilian graffito mugs), whetstones and leather shoes (Riccardi 1994: 134; Gavini 2013: 79).
Ballast
Not reported.
Anchors
Not reported.
Guns
Not reported.
Iron concretions
Not reported.
Hull Remains
Because of the very good preservation, only the bow and stern structure were recorded in detail, and a full report awaits publication. The hull had a keel, a round stem and a straight sternpost (Riccardi 1994: 131-132). It had two steering arrangements: part of a gudgeon was found on the lower sternpost, and a quarter rudder was found still tied in place (Gavini 2013: 76). One plank bears a bas-relief arch motif ending in an apotropaic eye, originally covered in pitch (Riccardi 1999: 280).
The modest size suggests a single deck, recorded above the unexcavated barrels and organic cargo. The preserved gunwale shows curved sections that indicate castles at both ends, and the after planking gives the height of the missing stern panel and of the counters that extended the sterncastle over the sternpost (Beltrame 2002: 385, fig. 6).
Keel, keelson and mast step
Keel with a round stem and a straight sternpost; the keelson and mast step are not described (Riccardi 1994: 131-132).
Frames
Floor timbers overlap the first futtocks, whose upper ends overlap the second futtocks (Riccardi 1999: 280-281).
Planking
Thin planking (3-3.5 cm) runs from the keel to the top of the sternpost; higher up, half-log wales alternate with the strakes. The planks are fastened with iron nails and treenails (Riccardi 1999: 280-281).
Ceiling, thick stuff, and wales
A bilge stringer lies over the joint between floor timbers and first futtocks, with ceiling on either side. Half-log wales alternate with the upper strakes (Riccardi 1999: 280-281).
Caulking
Not reported; the decorated plank was covered in pitch.
Size and scantlings
Planking 3-3.5 cm thick. No other measurements are given.
Wood
Not reported.
Bibliography
Beltrame, C. 2002. “Investigating processes of wreck formation.” [Full reference to be completed.]
Gavini, V. 2013. [Full reference to be completed.]
Riccardi, E. 1994. [Full reference to be completed.]
Riccardi, E. 1999. [Full reference to be completed.]
Rovina, D. 1997. [Full reference to be completed.]
Bendig, C. 2021. [Full reference to be completed.]