Sir Francis Drake @ Vera Cruz

[taylor]

Circa 1568/69.
Captain Francis Drake(judith) his uncle Sir John Hawkins (jesus)admiral and four other armed trading vessels were blown by stress of weather across the gulf of Mexico to St. John De Ulloa, the entrance to the harbour at Vera Cruz.

While they were anchored off carrying out repairs, twelve spanish sail arrived carrying rich european cargo and the new spanish viceroy for Mexico.

A truce was agreed between the Spanish and English, six hostages were exchanged and for a number of weeks peace prevailed.

Preparing to set sail the spanish slaughtered the hostages on shore as well as setting fire to three of the English vessels.
The Spanish then turned their firepower on the Jesus and Judith who temporarily through their moorings were unable to manouvre, quite soon however Drake managed to get wind under the Judith and opened fire on the Spanish with a vengeance.
In no time he was joined by the Jesus his uncle Hawkins commanding.
Firstly they sunk the Spanish Admiral closely followed by the Spanish vice Admiral which blew up with the loss of 300men.

During these exchanges the Jesus was mortally damaged, so Hawkins and his crew shifted to the Judith with his nephew Drake and made good their escape to England.(Eventually)!

Does anyone have any information on the bills of lading for the Spanish ships which were sunk.?
Has anyone dived the Vera Cruz Area ?
Could those ships be part of the homeward Treasure fleet ?