News - Archaeologists discover where legendary British warship that disappeared in 17th century sank

US researchers have concluded that the 17th-century remains of sunken British warship HMS Tyger rest below the surface in Dry Tortugas National Park on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, reports NBC News. The site, discovered at an undisclosed location near Garden Key in 1993, was long assumed to be the resting place of the warship, and now federal archeologists have made a "sound argument" for the conclusion after combing the ship's preserved logs anew, the National Park Service said. The 130-foot HMS Tyger, which had been around since about 1647, patrolled waters off Florida and chased Spanish ships into the Gulf of Mexico during an Anglo-Spanish conflict known as the War of Jenkins’ Ear, named for an incident in which Spanish sailors sliced off the left ear of brig Capt. Robert Jenkins in 1731. HMS Tyger struck coral reef at the western end of the Florida Keys on January 13, 1742. According to the NPS narrative, the crew dumped cannons and anchors overboard and shifted cargo to its stern in an unsuccessful return it to seaworthiness. After being rocked by bad weather and mishaps, HMS Tyger continued to lilt, sink and take on water, the National Park Service said. The 280 or so men onboard were ordered by the captain to abandon ship with him, the service said. The ship was the first of three sailing for the British crown off Florida that were lost during the war.