Spanish Naval Flag,
1785-1931
Island Bay - Chamela, from Space
History of Island Bay, Mexico - 1500's to early 19th Century
The Galleons - Spanish Sail Ships
The galleon evolved from the earlier caravel type, (caravels were the ship type used by Columbus in his momentous 1492 voyage). The galleon was used by the Spanish from the 15th through the 17th centuries. These ships linked Spain and its far flung colonies in America and Asia.
Galleons were armed for the protection of their valuable cargo, carrying between 20 and 40 guns. They were crewed by a minimum of some 25 sailors, but it was not unusual for the ship's crew to number above 200. Galleons were heavy ships for their time, weighing in at about 400 or 500 tons. Their sailing speed rarely exceeded 15 kilometers hour-1 (about 9 mph or 8 knots.)
The Galleon Trade - "La Nao de China"
Between 1565-1815, galleons plied the waters between Manila, in the Philippines, and Mexico, engaging in commercial trade. The westbound journey to Manila took a route south of the Hawaiian Islands. On this journey, the galleons were laden with mexican silver and gold, used to pay Spain's colonial administrators in Guam and the Philippines. Eastbound on their return journey to Mexico, carrying goods such as silk cloth, porcelain and spices, the galleons took a route north of the Hawaiian Islands. There is much evidence that the Spanish visited the Hawaiian Islands and traded with the people there prior to english captain James Cook's arrival. Cook asserts that the Hawaiians were familiar with iron, which they called by a word similar to the spanish term "hematitas".
The estimates of galleons lost at sea during these centuries ranges from a low of 9 to as many as 40. Several artifacts have been found in Island Bay.
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Spanish Naval Flag, 1785-1931 |
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17th Century Galleon | Island Bay - Chamela, from Space |
Role of Chamela, also known as Xametla, or Chiametly in the Galleon Trade
On their route to Mexico, the galleons sighted the American mainland in the vicinity of Monterey, California, and made their way south to Acapulco. In Chamela, at the south end of Island Bay, there remain today the foundations of a spanish fortification, the "Castillo de Avalos," named after Captain Alonso de Avalos, one of Hernán Cortés' lieutenants. This fortification had walls and short towers. Cloth was tinted or dyed at this location as evidenced by the shallow tubs dug into the ground. Ships stopped at Chamela to replenish water and food stores. Ballast stones dating to the 16th century have been found. What further roles Chamela played in the galleon trade remains to be researched.
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There are rumors of sunken treasure in Island Bay. It is documented in James Burney's book of 1816 "History of the Buccaneers of America" that buccaneers Swan & Townley anchored with the "Cygnet" in December of 1685 in "The Keys of Chametly". They came to Island Bay after running low on fresh water while on station "ten leagues distant" from Cape Corrientes at the southern end of the "Bay of Vanderas" (modern day Puerto Vallarta.) The "Cygnet" had been lying in wait for the Manila Galleon. Later, on this recount, the Galleon escaped them, and sailed on safely to Acapulco.
Over the centuries, doubtlessly valuable objects have been lost from shipping into the bay.
Mexico declared its independence from Spain on September 16 th, 1810. In the ensuing fight, the galleons stopped plying their trade, never to resume the fabled routes under the spanish flag.
The anchor which graces the lawns at Villa Vista Hermosa was recovered by the Villas' builder, Mr. Eugene Kocherga Sr. and by Mr. Mario Urquiza in the 1960's. This anchor probably dates to the mid 1800's and is almost certainly from one of the many clipper ships that linked the east coast of the United States by sea to California and the western territories . In those times, it was considered safer by many to sail around Cape Horn and its roiling waters than face un welcoming native americans in perilous overland travel. Perhaps this anchor came from a clipper ship in a hurry to arrive to California during the Gold Rush of 1849.
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Known Galleon Wrecks
Belgium: In the spring of 2002, the remains of a 17th century galleon were found 9 miles offshore of Nieuport, Belgium. This galleon was about 54 meters (177 feet) in length, and its crew is estimated at about 200 men. It is in relatively shallow water, 10 meters (33 feet). The Belgian Archaeological Heritage Society has begun to explore the wreck, but as of 2002 had not revealed its exact location. About 90% of the wreck is under shifting sands.
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