Veracruz (MEX)

Veracruz (MEX)

Veracruz, Nicolás de Cardena, 1632, Biblioteca Nacional

It was in 1518 that Spanish captain Juan de Grijalva arrived at the islet he called San Juan de Ulúa. The Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz was founded by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, on the beaches located in front of the islet in 1519, becoming the First City Hall in continental America and one of the first cities to be founded by Europeans in all continental America.

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 (West Indies trade route); which is why it was attacked on several occasions by pirates and corsairs.

As a means of defense against these attacks, the city was walled and a series of forts and bastions were built, the most emblematic being the Fort of San Juan de Ulúa, which was erected in 1590. It was in this port where the Armada de Barlovento was organised in 1640 to defend Spanish navigation and the coastline.

Ships sailing from Veracruz (MEX)

  1. Santa María de la Concepción (1528)

    Ship of unknown type which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in The Bahamas in 1528 due to a storm. This ship captained by Blas de Navarra Oleo carried silver ingots and gold bullion.

  2. Visitación (1550)

    Nao which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in Florida in 1550 due to a hurricane. This ship captained by Pedro de la Torre carried gold bullion and silver ingots. She belonged to The Nueva España Fleet.

  3. Santa Maria de Yciar (1554)

    Galleon which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in Texas in 1554 due to a storm. This ship captained by Alonso Ojos carried coins, riches and gold bullion.

  4. Espíritu Santo (1554)

    Galleon which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in Texas in 1554 due to a storm. This ship captained by Damián Martin carried coins, riches and gold bullion.

  5. San Esteban (1554)

    Galleon which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in Texas in 1554 due to a storm. This ship captained by Francisco del Huerto carried cochineal, coins, hides and skins, sugar, eastern ceramics and riches.

  6. Jesus (1559)

    Urca which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in Florida in 1559 due to a storm. Captained by Diego López + Alonso Beltrán. She belonged to The Nueva España Fleet.

  7. San Andrés (1559)

    Nao which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in Florida in 1559 due to a storm. This ship captained by Alonso Moraño carried oil / olives, wood, wine, brandy and spirits, nails and construction materials. She belonged to The Nueva España Fleet.

  8. La Salvadora (1559)

    Ship of unknown type which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in Florida in 1559 due to a storm. Captained by Vicente Fernández. She belonged to The Nueva España Fleet.

  9. San Juan de Ulúa (1559)

    Galleon which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in Florida in 1559 due to a storm. Captained by Pedro Andonasgui. She belonged to The Nueva España Fleet.

  10. San Amaro (1559)

    Nao which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in Florida in 1559 due to a storm. Captained by Cristóbal de Escobar. She belonged to The Nueva España Fleet.

  11. Santo Espíritu (1559)

    Caravel which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in Florida in 1559 due to a storm. Captained by Juan de la Puerta. She belonged to The Nueva España Fleet.

  12. Santa María de Ayuda (1559)

    Nao which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in Florida in 1559 due to a storm. Captained by Lázaro Morel. She belonged to The Nueva España Fleet.

  13. Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza, aka La Genovesa (1669)

    Ship of unknown type which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in The Bahamas in 1669. This ship captained by Domingo Ipenareitia carried gold bullion and silver ingots.

  14. San Juan Evangelista (1714)

    Galleon which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Santo Domingo (DOM). She sunk in The Bahamas in 1714 due to a hurricane. She carried riches. She belonged to The Armada de Barlovento.

  15. Nuestra Señora del Rosario (1783)

    Frigate which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Pensacola (FLA). She sunk in Florida in 1783 due to a hurricane. She carried mexican ceramics and spanish ceramics.

  16. El Cazador (1784)

    Brigantine / Brig which departed Veracruz (MEX). She sunk in Louisiana in 1784. Captained by Gabriel Campos y Piñeda.

  17. Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, aka Juno (1802)

    Frigate which departed Veracruz (MEX) bound for Spain. She sunk in Virginia in 1802 due to a hurricane. This ship captained by Juan Ignacio Bustillo carried riches and silver ingots.

Ships bound for Veracruz (MEX)

  1. Unknown Bahamas 04 (1744)

    Ship of unknown type which departed Cadiz (ESP) bound for Veracruz (MEX). She sunk in The Bahamas in 1744. Captained by Lamprier.