Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.
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| Capture of the Spanish Galleon Nuestra Senora de Covadonga. |
From 1565 to 1815, enormous and well-armed Spanish ships, known as galleons, sailed across the Pacific Ocean each year, traveling back and forth between Acapulco in Mexico and Manila in the Philippines.
On their westward leg, these ships carried vast cargoes of silver coins (mostly denominated as pesos or pieces of eight), along with small amounts of other goods, which allowed them to buy a range of merchandise in Manila, from Chinese jade and silk, to Sumatran spices and Japanese lacquered furniture. These were some of the most valuable commodities in the world and, when transported back to Acapulco, merchants flocked from as far away as Peru to buy them at annual fairs.
Traders then either sold these goods in the Americas or exported them across the Atlantic to Spain and to other European markets, making the Manila galleon trade route one of the most significant in global history. It linked Asia to Central America and, indirectly, to Europe, with the goods exchanged shaping the fashions, languages and cuisines of three continents for 250 years...
The Covadonga sailed from Acapulco on 15 April 1743, weighed down by silver worth roughly £60 million today, and 530 people, half of them crew and the remainder passengers. To make room for this volume of people and silver, the newly-appointed Commander, Geronimo Montero, had ordered the removal of all but 13 of the 50 cannons, leaving the ship far below its full strength. This was ill-advised as Spain was at this time embroiled in a conflict against Great Britain known as the War of Jenkin’s Ear (1739–48)...
The approaching ship was commanded by Commodore George Anson, who in 1740 was charged with leading a fleet of six warships into the Pacific by the British Admiralty, to raid vulnerable Spanish cities and to capture the Covadonga. Treasure galleons were always tempting targets for Spain’s European rivals, who planned to intercept them each time that war broke out in the hope of disrupting the Spanish Empire’s economy. Anson’s voyage was poorly planned, however. His ships were overcrowded and he lost most of his crew through storms, mutiny and disease before really entering the Pacific, while the soldiers he was allocated came from Chelsea Hospital, all being either too old or infirm for regular service...
At the outbreak of the War of the Austrian Succession in 1740, Commodore George Anson was sent to the Pacific with a squadron of six ships, his own being the 'Centurion', 60 guns. His instructions were to damage Spanish interests in the Pacific at a time when Spain and England were competing for maritime supremacy. Anson sailed via Cape Horn but by the time he reached Macao, China, in November 1742, 'Centurion', was the only surviving ship in his squadron, the others having been separated or wrecked. After wintering there he set off on 29 April 1743 in search of the immensely valuable Manila galleon 'Nuestra Señora de Covadonga', which he sighted while cruising through Philippine waters in June 1743. He immediately attacked the 'Covadonga', which was heavily laden with cargo from Acapulco. During an attempt to escape the Spaniards threw part of this into the ocean, to no avail, and Anson was able to seize the 'Covadonga's treasure of Spanish dollars, silver and other valuable goods. Its value was immense and not only ensured the financial success of the voyage but made Anson wealthy for life.
(Source link: The Capture of the 'Nuestra Señora de Cavadonga' by the 'Centurion', 20 June 1743 | Royal Museums Greenwich)
These legal proceedings are the reason that the Covadonga’s papers survive at The National Archives as part of the Prize Papers (HCA 32), along with similar materials taken from roughly 35,000 ships between 1652 and 1815. Together, the galleon’s papers reveal much about the voyage of the Covadonga, its crew and passengers, but also the many people whose lives were connected through the Manila galleons. See The papers of Nuestra Señora de Covadonga, a Spanish treasure galleon – The National Archives
Recently I came across some of my old find photos. Even though the finds were made somewhere around four decades ago, I remember exactly where many of them were dug. My recommendation is keeping even better records, including dates, locations and other important information. Of course I didn't anticipate looking back after a period of decades. I didn't think that far in advance.
What surprises me is how much I remember when I look at some of these photos. I can remember exactly where I found many of them, but not all of them. I remember those that are in some way unique or stand out while other more common finds are now lost to memory. It seems, though, the longer I look at them and the more I remember. Details start coming back. That is kinda fun.
Just as an example, the piano ring at the top and just left of the top of the chain, came from a spot on Virginia Key. I remember it well. I remember the lay of the land, what was going on, and the kind of day it was.
I got five pieces of gold that day from a small area. Three came from a deep hole in the water close to some rocks and two of the other finds came from a shallow water sand bar, not too far away. The piano ring and the class ring with the blue stone, just to the left and down one row from the piano ring, were on a shallow water sand bar. I remember telling the fellow who modified the Nautilus and sold it about the finds, so it was a Noga-modified Nautilus which I had before the Herb McDonald detectors. I loved that metal detector, especially with the first coil, which seemed super-hot. After I used the first one a little, I liked it so much I called and ordered a second to have as a backup. That could have been the same call.
Moving on to another find, the green jade ring with gold lining came from Key Biscayne. I remember that one very well. The gold lining around the finger hole is very thin. It was a subtle signal in shallow water in front of a resort.
I won't go on with that but might show some of the other find photos from that stack. Unfortunately this photo doesn't show enough detail on some of the finds. I'n not sure right off what is in the coin holders.
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| Soruce: Surfguru.com. |
As you can see the south winds will continue for a while. Seems too much like summer for my liking, including the hotter weather.