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 #15 / 15
This port played a crucial role during the three centuries of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, as this was the point of departure for ships bound for Spain loaded with gold, treasures and goods in the so-called Carrera de Indias (the West Indies trade route); which is why it was attacked on several occasions by pirates and corsairs.
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 #2 / 10
Of the four vessels that set sail in April 1554 for Spain carrying 2 million pesos, goods, and some 300 people, three sank after being hit by a storm off Texas. Many drowned, others died of hunger and thirst, and a group of survivors was mercilessly attacked by the native Karankawa tribes. But some 30 men managed to get on a boat and reached Veracruz to get help.
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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.
| Known cause | Ships | Percentage |
|---|
| A collision with shoals, cays and reefs | 2 of 103 | 1.94% |
| A hurricane | 71 of 103 | 68.93% |
| A storm | 30 of 103 | 29.13% |
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