In the early modern period, Hispanic navigation broadened the world’s maritime horizon. America, Europe and Asia were connected by sea routes that took advantage of coastal geographical features and wind and ocean dynamics to link ports and cultures.
Main ports
Port #5 / 15
Havana Bay is considered one of the safest natural shelters in the Caribbean and the Americas. Its importance is evidenced by the fact that it was known as the “Key to the New World and Antemural of the West Indies”.
Scattered around the coasts of the United States of America and the Bahamas are thousands of Spanish shipwrecks that once sailed their waters from the beginning of the 16th century to the end of the 19th century. A shared history comprising tales of exploration, colonization, globalization and battles which take place in seas and oceans, facing natural hazards and extreme weather conditions.
10 notable shipwrecks
Story #9 / 10
In July 1733, the Nueva España Fleet of 4 escort galleons, 16 merchant ships and 2 small ships left Havana bound for Spain but was hit by a hurricane near the Florida Keys. Most ships were wrecked on the shallows and reefs with only 4 merchant ships and 1 escort galleon managing to return to harbor in Havana.
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Statistics, anecdotes, specialized vocabulary and a bibliography to help those who want to deepen their knowledge of the historical period in which the shipwrecks reported on this website occurred.
| Period | Ships | Percentage |
|---|
| 16th century | 55 of 150 | 36.67% |
| 17th century | 20 of 150 | 13.33% |
| 18th century | 55 of 150 | 36.67% |
| 19th century | 20 of 150 | 13.33% |
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