Santa Catalina

Date
1589Period
16th centuryShip type
NaoCause
A hurricaneKey figure
Álvaro Flores de QuiñonesCommand
Álvaro Flores de QuiñonesCaptain
Domingo Laínez OmeShipwreck zone
Old Bahama Channel, The BahamasPort of departure
Havana (CUB)Destination
SpainCargo
Silver ingots , and gold bullionPhilip II ordered the Tierra Firme Fleet, commanded by Captain General Alvaro Flores de Quiñones, and the Nueva España Fleet to meet in Havana and travel together in convoy to Spain. Around 75 to 100 ships sailed from that port, but when they reached the entrance to the Old Bahama Channel on September 9, it was not long before a hurricane struck. The nao Santa Catalina had a capacity of 350 tons.