The Nao Santa Maria Four Cannon Salute

A historic Spanish galleon will sail off the coast of Ventnor next month to fire a four-cannon salute in honour of the newly launched Armada Coast 1588 Heritage Trail, celebrating the Isle of Wight’s vital but often overlooked role in the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

The Nao Santa Maria, a replica of the 15th-century ship that famously crossed the Atlantic, will take part in a special event on Wednesday 21st May between 14:00-15:00, exchanging gun salutes off the coastline between St Lawrence and Bonchurch.

The event is being supported by the Fundación Nao Victoria in Andalucía, Spain, as part of a growing collaboration with Ventnor Town Council and local historians aiming to set the record straight on the historic sea battle.

Ventnor historian David Baldwin has spent 50 years researching the Spanish Armada’s route, arguing that the Isle of Wight played a far greater role than previously documented. His work reinterprets a letter by George Carey, the then Captain and Governor of the Isle of Wight, detailing a 5-hour naval engagement from St Catherine’s Point to Dunnose and beyond.

To mark the occasion, a cannon salute will be fired by the Santa Maria on 21st May. On dry land, the Armada Coast flag will be raised with the Town Crier with local enactments and celebrations taking place.

An evening of shanties and sea stories will be held at The Spyglass Inn.

The Santa Maria will remain in Cowes until 26th May.