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 #1 / 15
Hernán Cortés decided to establish a base in Acapulco for the construction of galleons which were destined to sail the Pacific and South Seas. But it wasn’t until 1565, when Fray Andrés de Urdaneta arrived at Acapulco Bay, that this port became the destination of the famous route of the Manila Galleon.
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 #8 / 10
Built in 1731 in Cadiz, the 54-gun, 631-ton, two-bridge frigate served Spain for nearly 20 years as an escort, surveillance and cargo ship, battling enemies like Algeria, England and Portugal, even capturing a Portuguese ship from Angola with more than 600 slaves. On her last voyage in August 1750, a week-long storm caused La Galga to lose her masts and, in a desperate maneuver, part of her artillery was thrown into the sea to lighten her load.
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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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