The
Nautical
Archaeology
Digital Library

Spain and the New World

Filipe Castro

Introduction

From 1492 to the first decades of the 19th century Spain ruled the Caribbean and most of Latin America unchallenged. Ships sailed to and from the American coasts, ensuring a regular contact with Asia and a vibrant commerce along the coasts of the South American continent.

Seville in the first quarter of the 17th century (Louis de Caullery).

The watercraft from this period is as varied as it is unknown. Most vessels were destroyed by treasure hunters and archaeologists have published only a small fraction of the shipwrecks found and surveyed, or sometimes even excavated.

This section is an inventory of the shipwrecks tentatively identified as Spanish and engaging in both the transatlantic trade with the New World and the local trade within the New World.

The Shipwrecks

At this stage of the project we have not yet attempted to separate the ships by routes and functions. Much of the information is missing and the present organization of the shipwrecks is a work in progress.

The objective of the nautical Archaeology Digital Library is to build a community of scholars and interested readers and contributors, and share as much reliable information online as possible.  We encourage comments, corrections and contributions.

Central America and the Caribbean – Atlantic Voyages

Molasses Reef, c. 1520, Turks and Caicos

Highbourne Cay, c. 1520, Bahamas

Bahia Mujeres, c. 1525, Mexico

Playa Damas, c. 1530, Panama

Punta Cana, 1545

Cayo Nuevo, c. 1550, Mexico

Francisco Padre, c. 1550, Cuba

Galera, c. 1550, Cuba

Marex Mystery Wreck, c. 1600, Bahamas

Saona 1, c. 1550, Dominican Republic

Saona 2, c. 1550, Dominican Republic

Saona 3, c. 1550, Dominican Republic

Six Shilling Cays, c. 1550, Bahamas

Espiritu Santo, 1554, Texas

San Esteban, 1554, Texas

Santa Maria de Yciar, 1554, Texas

La Condesa, 1555, Portugal

San Salvador, 1555, Portugal

Emanuel Point 1, 1559, Florida

Emanuel Point 2, 1559, Florida

Emanuel Point 3, 1559, Florida

San Juan, 1565, Canada

Ines de Soto, c. 1572, Cuba

Spanish Wreck, c. 1575, Bermuda

St. John’s Bahamas, c. 1575, Bahamas

West Turtle, c. 1580, Florida

Western Ledge Reef, c. 1584, Bermuda

Tinajas, c. 1600, Puerto Rico

San Pedro, 1596, Bermuda

Francisco Padre, c. 1600, Cuba

Fuxa, 1610, Cuba

Green Cabin, 1618, Florida

Cerro Gordo 4, 1621, Puerto Rico

Santo António, 1621, Bermuda

Dry Tortugas, 1622, Florida

Loggerhead Key, 1622, Florida

N. S. Atocha, 1622, Florida

N. S. Rosario, 1622, Florida

Santa Margarita, 1622, Florida

Shot Wreck, 1622, Florida

Lingote II, c. 1630, Cuba

San José, 1631, Panama

Urca la Viga, 1639, Florida

N. S. Concepcion, 1641, Dominican Republic

La Sabana, c. 1645, Venezuela

Delta 1, c. 1650, Spain

Lingote I, c. 1650, Cuba

Stonewall, c. 1650, Bermuda

Rincón, c. 1652, Puerto Rico

Jesus Maria, 1654, Ecuador

N. S. de las Maravillas, 1656, Bahamas

San Cayetano, c. 1675, Cuba

Conquistador, 1741, Colombia

San Felipe, 1741, Colombia

Mercante de Manzanillo, 1741, Colombia

Salmedina I, c. 1750, Colombia

 

Pacific Ocean

San Diego, 1600, Philippines

San Franscisco, 1608, Japan

Manila Galleons

San Juanillo, 1578, Mexico

San Agustin, 1591, California

Santa Margarida, 1601, Guam

N. S. de la Concepcion, 1638, Guam

Santo Cristo de Burgos, 1693, Oregon