INTRODUCTION
The English East-Indiaman the 'Hartwell' and the Spanish galleon 'Santo Andre' were 2 of the 26 shipwrecks that were wrecked on the Rifona Reef off the island of Boa Vista in the archipelogo of Cape Verde. For centuries, these treacherous shoals have claimed many ships as they are located directly in the route to the port of call Porta Praia, on the island San Tiago. This port was used by ships travelling to the Carribean, or alternately, to the East via the Cape of Good Hope.
The 'Hartwell' sank on the 24th May 1784 on her maiden voyage to China. The ship was laden with 320.000 Spanish portrait dollars (total value of 77.000 pounds) for trading with the East. During two salvage expeditions in 1788 and 1789, the famous brothers John and William Braithwaite, recovered a good haul of the general cargo including over a 100.000 dollars worth of silver coins.
The Spanish galleon 'Santo Andre' also met with the same tragic end almost a century later. On the 25th July 1856, unable to cope with the strong winds and currents, she was wrecked on the Rifona Reef, sinking with all of her cargo which included hundreds of silver coins and other artefacts.
In 1993, permission was granted by the Cape Verde government to an overseas company, Afrimar, who in a joint venture with Sealit, were allowed to commence with the surveying and salvaging of various shipwreck sites on the Rifona Reef. In the same year the divers began the preliminary identification and excavation of the 'Hartwell' and 'Santo Andre'. These were carried out in accordance with accepted archeological principles, with a minimum disturbance to the sites. The excavations continued until 1996. Due to rough sea conditions and strong currents characteristic of the area, diving could only be carried out effectively during the more tranquil months from July to September. It was also due to these conditions that the wreck sites extended over vast areas, the currents having scattered the remains for enormous distances over the seafloor.
Despite these hindrances, a large array of interesting objects were recovered by the divers. These artefacts range from coins, silver-plated cutlery, verge watches with chains, gilt-brass necessaires with contents, very rare scientific intruments as well as curious 'marine sculptures', which were the result of objects being fused together by crustation and coral formations, having been exposed for centuries to the whims of the sea.
PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE LOTS
Due to these lots being recovered from a shipwreck, many have sustained some damage. There is no mention of the physical condition of any lot in the printed catalogue description. All lots are sold in accordance with the Conditions of Sale printed at the front of this catalogue. Intending bidders are advised to request condition reports or view any lots in which they are interested.
THE "HARTWELL"
Forty 8 reales pieces and a large marine encrusted coin cluster
细节
Forty 8 reales pieces and a large marine encrusted coin cluster
Comprising 8 reales pieces (40), struck in .917 silver, bearing the head of King Carlos III (1760-1788), various mints, mostly South America, corroded, damaged, VG/F; and a large cluster of 18th Century silver coins
the cluster circa 21 cm long (41)
Comprising 8 reales pieces (40), struck in .917 silver, bearing the head of King Carlos III (1760-1788), various mints, mostly South America, corroded, damaged, VG/F; and a large cluster of 18th Century silver coins
the cluster circa 21 cm long (41)