The Wreck of the SS Santa Isabel
Isla de la Mientras On Jan 2nd, 1921, one of the greatest tragedies of modern shipping in Spain happened. The SS Santa Isabel ran aground of the coast in the Ria de Arousa , only 100 yards from the coast of the now deserted island of Salvora . Of the 256 passengers hoping to go to Cadiz and from there to South America, only 56 lived. The ship hit the rocks at the spot marked (X). As it was New Year, most of the people were celebrating in the town hall, so the lighthouse keeper had to run 400 yards to raise the lifeboats; usually crewed by men, but with most people far away one boat was sailed by three women in their teens. These ladies were accreditted with saving 30 lives and were awarded the highest civilliam gallantry award. For many years, there was a rumor that the people of the island were wreckers, hence the subtitle of the post Isla de la Mientras meaning Island of Lies. The facts shown show that these people were not wreckers, wreckers typically m...