NUESTRO SEÑORA DE LA LUZ.
This Spanish warship was a 217 ton sailing vessel, assigned to survey duties.
In July 1752, she arrived at Montevideo from Buenos Aires. In Montevideo, more passengers boarded and more cargo was loaded on her.
The valuable cargo she transported was composed of hard pesos, doubloons, wrought silver frames, gold 5 peseta pieces, vicuna wool, and smuggled coins amounting to 200.000 pesos hidden in the gun-powder room.
A strong wind prevented her crew, including commander Fonseca and master P. de Lea, from boarding it. The vessel left the bay and dropped anchor 3 miles away from the port. Later a south-easterly wind gave rise to a rough storm.
On 15 July the vessel was given up for lost, it was only at the beginning of August that the wreckage was spotted, sunken five meters deep in the River Plate. Her bright escudos and gold ingots have been recently sold at action at Sotheby.
Uruguay 1996 3.20p sg2280, scott1616e.
Source: Uruguay Post Leaflet