On September 1, 1968, the Spanish cargo ship Cabo Santa Maria ran aground off the coast of the Cape Verde island of Boa Vista. The shipwreck of the Cabo Santa Maria, which is still rusting away, is now one of the island's main attractions.
The MS Cabo Santa Maria was on its way from Spain to Brazil and Argentina in 1968. The cargo ship was loaded not only with numerous goods, but also with countless gifts that the fascist Spanish government wanted to bring to its supporters overseas. But the ship ran aground on the coast of Boa Esperança in the north of Boa Vista. Although a tugboat was immediately dispatched from the Cape Verde island of Sao Vicente, the Cabo Santa Maria could not be freed. At least the crew was rescued unharmed.
The people of Boa Vista seized the opportunity and took possession of the entire cargo. The salvage took over a year. Today, the shipwreck of the Cabo Santa Maria is one of the island's attractions and a frequent destination for tours in off-road vehicles or quads. The beach of Praia de Atalanta, where the ship is located, can be reached in about half an hour by car from the island's capital, Sal Rei.
Translated by Google •
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