The Sinking of the Galleon Atocha, 1622 - The Model

The Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha wrecked on the Florida Reef on September 6, 1622, after being caught in a hurricane. It was one of eight ships of the Tierra Firme fleet lost that day, in what was one of the worst tragedies of the Spanish maritime empire. The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum commissioned artist and model-maker Dan O’Neill to recreate the moment the Atocha struck the reef and began to sink. Utilizing the available historical and archaeological information, O’Neill crafted a model that captures the fateful moment with all its dread and horror. It is not your typical ship model! The model is on display at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, Florida.