Manila (PHL)
Before the Spaniards arrived, this settlement was part of the Pacific route which consolidated the Manila or China Galleon route, the realization of the dream that led Columbus to begin exploring the Atlantic in search of spices from the East, as the routes were at the time controlled by the Portuguese and blocked after the fall of Constantinople.
Valuable goods from the Orient such as silk, porcelain, tea and the valuable spices needed for food preservation departed regularly from this port. Even though the route had been explored by Magellan, it was not until 40 years later that it was finally established, after navigator Andrés de Urdaneta discovered the so-called tornaviaje (a return route across the Pacific). The route would become known as the Manila Galleon, or the Acapulco Galleon or the Nao de China route, and connected Europe and Manila through Acapulco, and from there to Cadiz and Seville.
This route was kept virtually secret until 1813, when the Cortes of Cadiz put an end to it.
Ships sailing from Manila (PHL)
Santa Marta (1582)
Nao which departed Manila (PHL) bound for Acapulco (MEX). She sunk in California in 1582. She carried gold bullion, silver ingots and eastern ceramics. She belonged to The Manila Galleon.
Galleon San Agustin (1595)
Galleon which departed Manila (PHL) bound for Acapulco (MEX). She sunk in California in 1595 due to a storm. This ship captained by Sebastián Rodriguez Cermeño carried eastern ceramics, gold bullion, silver ingots, wax and silk. She belonged to The Manila Galleon.
Santo Cristo de Burgos, aka Beeswax (1693)
Galleon which departed Manila (PHL) bound for Acapulco (MEX). She sunk in Oregon in 1693. She carried wax, eastern ceramics and silk. She belonged to The Manila Galleon. 231 people lost their lives.