A rudder and a naval cannon were found following some underwater diving carried out in the waters of white fountains, in Syracuse, from Fabio Portellahonorary inspector for i Submerged cultural heritage of the province of Syracuse.
“These finds – says the regional councilor for Cultural Heritage and Sicilian identity, Francesco Paolo Scarpinato – They open new scenarios to undertake further research activities, in order to enrich knowledge on this war event that once again sees Sicily and its sea protagonist ».
The rudderbuilt in wood and covered with a nailed metal foil, it is almost five meters long for a weight of about 800 kg. It probably belonged to a large wooden ship and given its perishability and the low depth of discovery, on the indication of the Superintendency of the Sea was recovered to avoid possible damage; It is currently subject to the first conservative treatment. The iron cannon It is almost 2.5 meters long, it is at a depth of 49 meters; Different construction details (roasting, button, ears, reinforcement rings), would give it between the 16th and 18th centuries.
In the light of the finds already made in Avola in the “hen” and “cicrate” areas of objects and finds dating back to the battle of Capo Passero – Avola fought on 11 August 1718 between the English and Spanish fleet, it is assumed that these recent finds can be referable to the same event. In fact, it is historically ascertained, through the military chronicles of the time, that some Spanish galleons approached the coast of Avola to escape the fast English ships, sinking near the coast.