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 #8 / 15
Panama City was founded on August 15, 1519 by Pedro Arias Dávila, and became the starting point for the exploration of Peru and, eventually, the destination for the silver of New Granada and the gold of Peru.
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 #10 / 10
In 1802, before the Peace of Amiens, the Spanish frigates Juno and Anfítitre left Veracruz carrying 700,000 pesos in silver. After facing storms and damages, the Juno encountered the American schooner Favorita. Despite attempts to help, another storm hit, and the Juno ultimately sank with 425 people on board and the silver cargo, never to be seen again.
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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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