A LOST ARMADA SHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20389, 21 April 1928, Page 11

A LOST ARMADA SHIP.

WHERE IS IT NOW? On an island off the coast of Scotland there is a tradition that in the year 1588 one of the ships of the great Spanish Armada hove threateningly into sight, driven northward by the fierce winds then prevalent. The invaders, no doubt, to induce quick submission to whatever demands they meant to make, fired a broadside over the land. But that same night, before they could land in force, a sudden wild gale arose and the proud galleon was wrecked on the rocks that lay hidden in the bay. The physical characteristics of some of the islanders seem to confirm that story, for both hair and complexions speak plainly of Latin ancestry. It is said that they are descended from sailors who had survived the waves and sought refuge among their erstwhile foes. The presence of those Southern-looking people might have had a different explanation, but other evidence of that long ago event was provided in rather a peculiar manner Just beyond the village, close to the shore, and, under the lee of a rugged, colourful cliff, stood an old ivied house, the home of a certain large lamily. One day two of the young sons, dislodging a boulder on the grassy slope that led to the precipice, found that they had started a small landslide. Well out of the way, they watched it rattle down with boyish enthusiasm, and when the dust had cleared from the air a strange object was lying on the ground. It was about the size and shape of a large orange, dark like iron and heavy. Being familiar with the tale of the Spanish ship, they concluded at once that this was one of the solid shot from her guns. Taking it home, they searched through the encyclopaedia and other books for information regarding the ammunition used by that famous fleet. They learned that at that period stone missiles had given away to iron ones, such as this specimen, it having been discovered that a projectile of metal weighing only a few pounds was as effective as the more primitive sort which Weighed much more. Persuaded that they had found something really worth while, the ball was placed among their treasures and shown to friends. But interest in it soon faded, for in that land of ancient memories old things were more or less common. In the course of time both boys went to distant countries, and the cannon ball was left behind. One day a use was found for it on the drawing-room hearth —to break the lumps of coal in tho scuttle. And there it lay during all the years while that big family dispersed to the four corners of the world. When tho youngest child, grown to womanhood, married an American and went to live in the United States, the contents of tho old house were sold ,at auction. But the cannon ball, having proved itself a genuine help, was carried to town to continue its services there. Some years passed, and this house, too, was disposed of, the furniture being sold with it. For a while after that tho very existence of the cannon ball was forgotten. One day there was a re-union of several members of that family in New York, and in talking over the old experiences the unique coal-breaker was called to mind. What had become of it ? No one knew!_ The last anyone remembered was seeing it in its accustomed place. Now for the first time they realised what an interesting curio they had used so nonchalantly. A letter written to the present owners' of the house brought back the reply that nothing was knotvn of an iron ball, although they did seem to recall that when they took possession there had been such an article lying on the hearth. After the decorators had cleared away their rubbish it had been seen no more, So where is that cannon ball now (asks M. G. G. in the Christian Science Monitor). Perhaps thrown into a junk heap, there to remain in, obscurity until unearthed by some odd chance. In thinking over the possible adventures of that relic of other days it becomes clear just how it ia that real treasures are sometimes picked up in the most unlooked-for places. Some day whim that bit. of historic metal i s disclosed will the finders know that they have in their possession a souvenir of the so-called Invincible Armada, which in the reign of Elizabeth sailed so confidently to conquer England, and came instead to, such a disastrous end? If they do not recognise it for what it is, will they imagine anything so romantic and unlikely as what is actually the case—that they are holding in their hands in this 20th century a missile shot in tho 16th from the sides of a haughty Spanish galleon.