Santa Catarina de Ribamar, 1636

[Cablava]

Lost in November 1636 near the mouth of the Tagus River, Portugal, against the small islets of Cape Roca, Sta. Catarina de Ribamar's wreck site remained in the memory of the local population for many generations. Many locals still know the story of Dona Ricarda, an old woman who knew in the 18th century where to find golden coins at the nearby beach after storms. In 1966 a bronze gun was raised from this site, and another two may have been salvaged by looters (they are said to have been melted soon afterwards). In the summer of 2000, a team from CNANS conducted a survey at the site, finding a large anchor but no sight of the several bronze guns reported by fisherman to be lying on the site, deeply encased in the rocky bottom. No mention has been ever made about any hull remains