On the coast of Gran Canaria, the Gando peninsula hides an ancient geological risk: a submerged reef that sailors nicknamed “the ship devourer” after it caused, among other disasters, the sinking of the ocean liner Alfonso XII in 1885.
This rocky bank, charted since at least 1848, is located just two metres deep and 1.5 km from Punta de Gando. A viral Instagram video from the account @soyyeraysanchez captures the silhouette of the rock, almost imperceptible except to those who know its location, and clearly illustrates the latent threat lurking hundreds of metres offshore.
Its existence in frequently navigated areas makes it a constant menace, especially for vessels confident in sailing close to the coast. It’s not a legend: hundreds of shipwrecks document its relentless danger.
This is evidenced by the most famous of them all. On 13th February 1885, around 16:30, the majestic steamship of the Spanish Transatlantic Company, Alfonso XII, ran aground on the reef after a thunderous crack.
Measuring over 110 metres in length, with capacity for 244 passengers and 3,000 tonnes of gross tonnage, it was transporting 10 million reales in gold for the troops in Cuba, in addition to around a hundred people including crew and travellers.
Despite the chaos, there were no human casualties: local fishermen assisted all occupants after the sinking, which occurred at a depth of about 48 metres.
The partially recovered cargo of gold consisted of nine of the ten boxes retrieved after submerging part of the hull. The tenth missing box sparked a legendary underwater search that still attracts technical divers.
The remains of the ship, with its visible propeller and rudder, became a treasure for archaeologists and searchers. The site appeared in salvage expeditions led by Spanish and English divers, and parts of the wreck were dynamited to access its interior.
Over the years, the Gando reef has continued to claim victims such as the Monte Isabela, a Norwegian fishing vessel, and the tugboat Adriático, which also suffered encounters with the reef.
This danger, forged over millennia, persists today and highlights the importance of following official maritime routes, using updated charts, and maintaining caution.
