De Luna Shipwreck

One of the websites I check daily is Archaeology, where I learned De Luna Shipwreck Rising From the Deep.  From Wiki, we learn Tristan de Luna was a Spanish conquistador, 1519-1571.  de Luna first came to the new world in 1530 and served under Francisco de Coronado in Mexico.  In 1559, he landed at what is now the Naval Airstation in Pensacola, Florida.  Alas, it was hurricane season in Florida, and on Sept 19, a hurricane destroyed most of his ships and cargo.  They wintered in the area, with two relief ships arriving in November.  The other promised relief ships never arrived and de Luna eventually settled for a ship bound for Santa Elena.

University of West Florida archaeologists have been working the site for three years.  Sand had covered the entire ship, protecting it from the normal decomposition that occurs in the Gulf of Mexico.  What is unique about the shipwreck is the treasure trove of personal belongings, including their food stores.  Some of the students were impressed with chicken bones - apparently de Luna liked Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Shipwreck of Pensacola's founder being excavated reminds us that Tristan de Luna was the founder of modern-day Pensacola, Florida.  The ship was first discovered in 2006, within 1/4 mile of another ship of his fleet, discovered in 1992.