"No. 242.--Iron chest from Armada. This chest is of most remarkable construction: there is an apparent keyhole, but the real one is concealed in the lid, which is one large lock, the lock-plate of which is of very fine workmanship of polished iron. "No. 243.--Iron treasure-chest, taken from the Spanish war-ship during the fight with the Armada. "Spanish matchlock, taken from a Spaniard on the coast of Ireland. "Spear head, from one of the Armada ships, wrecked off the coast of Donegal. "A spoon of curious floral design, found on the shore close to Dunluce Castle, about 90 years ago [supposed to be from the wreck of the _Girona_.]"[9] Turning to Cuellar's narrative, in speaking of the wrecks at Streedagh, Co. Sligo, of which he was an eye-witness, the following occurs:[10] "And then [the Irish] betook themselves to the shore to plunder and break open _money chests_." These are called in Spanish _Arcas_, _i.e._, iron chests with flat lids to hold money, etc. In the _State Papers_ (Ireland, 1588) several references to money chests in the Spanish ships appear. "Plate and ducats" are spoken of as being "rifled out of their chests." At 2nd Aug., 1588 [examination of Spanish prisoners], from the "_Nuestra Señora del Rosario_," "a _chest of the King's_ was taken wherein was 52,000 ducats, of which chest Don Pedro de Valdez had one key and the King's treasurer or the Duke another. Besides [it is added], many of the gentlemen had good store of money aboard the said ship; also, there was wrought plate and a great store of precious jewels and rich apparel." In _State Papers_ [4th and 5th August, 1588], in describing the capture of a Spanish "_Carrack_"--the _San Salvador_--it is said: "This very night some inkling came unto us that _a chest_ of great weight should be found in the fore-peak of the ship," etc. These and many other references to both treasure and treasure-chests, taken from contemporary sources, show that the Spanish treasure-chests _are not_ mythical, but formed a necessary part of the outfit of an expedition, on which those who had entered had staked all their riches and had brought their valuables with them. A fine specimen of the treasure-chest is in the possession of Major Hamilton, Brownhall. It has been in his family for such a period that its history is lost. The ornamental open-work of polished steel, which covers the inside of lid, is a very fine specimen of mediæval iron work.