The underwater discovery of some ceramic pieces recalls the shipwreck of the steamship 'La Felguera' off the coast of Dénia

The January 23 1880, nearly three miles from the port of Denia, there was one of the hundred shipwrecks documented archaeologically in Dianense coast: the steam Asturian La Felguera after being rammed by the British steamer Ardantine.

His remains rest today 33 meters deep, and are part of recreational diving guides in the area.

This week we have been familiar with a finding that has reawakened history La Felguera Dosanto diver thanks to Carlos Lopez, who has two small fragments of pottery in a place close to collapse. One is especially significant since it can read the legend La Felguera.

The first fragment is printed lithographed earthenware decorated reddish brown on white background: fillet beads conventional type next to the edge and plant flowers and stems valance kinked. Everything indicates it belongs to a set of plates with clear British influence.

The other fragment is smaller is a small container of crockery, with white background printed decoration estannífero and red, and in which you can read the legend to which we referred above. It is a rare piece, commissioned by the company that acquires the ship, probably of English production: Red Pink Willow.

These two discoveries now pass fomar part of Ethnological museum Denia the relationship that the steam had with the market going, and will join other pieces of the ship that were already part of the museum's collection and notably the bronze bell belonging steamed found on the site itself .

La Felguera

steam La Felguera It was acquired by the company Olavarria in 1876. It was a new ship, built in Middlesbrough, from 57'86 meters, 8'76 m wide and 4'78 m strut, of 731 TRB, valued at 376.250 pesetas.

Less than three years later, the night of 23 1880 January, steam was rammed by the British Ardantine and his remains now lie three miles from the coast of Dénia.

His hundimento puts us on dates and in a few decades when steam power gradually and would be imposed gradually pushing the big sailing boats in transporting goods. It was a steam technology air and Britain, which would host a large extent, among other goods, transport and maritime trade of our flagship products: almonds and especially raisins.