- #1
Thread Owner
I though we might try to out some information on this galleon together, here are a few details, I point out that these are not my findings but just general research on ther ship. as of today still not found.
1565 The first Manila Galleon sails from Manila to Acapulco.
June 1806 The galleon 'Magallanes" sails from Manila with its shipment destined for the King
of Spain and the Merchant Guild.
July 1806 Before even clearing the Straits of San Bernardino the "Magallanes" begins to leak
and is forced to turn back to Manila.
October 1806 The Manila government and the Merchant Guild purchase and refit the frigate
"Esperanza" from Don Pedro Huet for 50,000 pesos.
November 14 1806 The "Magallanes" arrives back in Manila and is unloaded. "700-800 bales of the most
select cargo" are transferred to the "Esperanza"
December 11, 1806 The "Esperanza" sails for Acapulco, heading south to first make a stop in
Zamboanga city.
December 14, 1806 3am The "Esperanza" strikes the reef at the Panagatan Cays and sinks. From
survivor reports.
The Cays lie 30 nautical miles due south of Mindoro in the Philippines and comprises of three small islands that are part of a submerged volcano's crater rim. The remaining portion of the rim has formed a classic lagoon surrounded by a coral atoll.
For most of the year, the prevailing winds are from the northeast, with average waves of 1 meter in height. The Cays however lie on the westerly typhoon route; more than 400 have passed over the area since records began.
The Cays lie between two shipping routes, down the west side or east side of Mindoro Island, and provide the makings for a classic ship trap. Ships from Manila, traveling down the west side on a southerly course, after clearing Mindoro Island and due to the lack of visible landmasses, would think that they were in open waters.
As appears to be the case with the Esperanza, lookouts and the crew would generally relax for a gentle sail. But the lack of vigilance meant that the Esperanza found herself on a collision course with the almost invisible reef of the Cays, made worse by the fact that they sailed through the area at night-time. So treacherous is the terrain that any ship not familiar with the Cays would stand a very high chance of foundering.
In estimating the potential value of recoveries from the Esperanza the following factors have to be considered:
As a direct consequence of the Spanish King's monopoly on trading, there were a maximum of two "Manila" galleons that sailed each year. These two galleons were responsible for transporting all of the Spanish governments' and the majority of wealthy nobles' and merchants' proceeds, from the Philippine territories to Mexico and then onwards to Spain.
As a result of the failure of the galleon "Magallanes" to undertake her voyage in 1805 and the fact that she was forced to turn back in 1806, the Merchants took the decision to combine the most valuable cargo from both the years' shipments into a single voyage i.e. the "Esperanza".
The salvage value predicted compares well with similar recently successful projects.
Although the cargo manifest has yet to be found, detailed evidence of coin consignment placed aboard the "Esperanza" before she sailed has been located.
In addition, the "Esperanza" would likely have been carrying porcelain, finished gold and silver jewellery art pieces, ivory crafts pieces, gold bullion/currency and a significant quantity of silks and spices.
1565 The first Manila Galleon sails from Manila to Acapulco.
June 1806 The galleon 'Magallanes" sails from Manila with its shipment destined for the King
of Spain and the Merchant Guild.
July 1806 Before even clearing the Straits of San Bernardino the "Magallanes" begins to leak
and is forced to turn back to Manila.
October 1806 The Manila government and the Merchant Guild purchase and refit the frigate
"Esperanza" from Don Pedro Huet for 50,000 pesos.
November 14 1806 The "Magallanes" arrives back in Manila and is unloaded. "700-800 bales of the most
select cargo" are transferred to the "Esperanza"
December 11, 1806 The "Esperanza" sails for Acapulco, heading south to first make a stop in
Zamboanga city.
December 14, 1806 3am The "Esperanza" strikes the reef at the Panagatan Cays and sinks. From
survivor reports.
The Cays lie 30 nautical miles due south of Mindoro in the Philippines and comprises of three small islands that are part of a submerged volcano's crater rim. The remaining portion of the rim has formed a classic lagoon surrounded by a coral atoll.
For most of the year, the prevailing winds are from the northeast, with average waves of 1 meter in height. The Cays however lie on the westerly typhoon route; more than 400 have passed over the area since records began.
The Cays lie between two shipping routes, down the west side or east side of Mindoro Island, and provide the makings for a classic ship trap. Ships from Manila, traveling down the west side on a southerly course, after clearing Mindoro Island and due to the lack of visible landmasses, would think that they were in open waters.
As appears to be the case with the Esperanza, lookouts and the crew would generally relax for a gentle sail. But the lack of vigilance meant that the Esperanza found herself on a collision course with the almost invisible reef of the Cays, made worse by the fact that they sailed through the area at night-time. So treacherous is the terrain that any ship not familiar with the Cays would stand a very high chance of foundering.
In estimating the potential value of recoveries from the Esperanza the following factors have to be considered:
As a direct consequence of the Spanish King's monopoly on trading, there were a maximum of two "Manila" galleons that sailed each year. These two galleons were responsible for transporting all of the Spanish governments' and the majority of wealthy nobles' and merchants' proceeds, from the Philippine territories to Mexico and then onwards to Spain.
As a result of the failure of the galleon "Magallanes" to undertake her voyage in 1805 and the fact that she was forced to turn back in 1806, the Merchants took the decision to combine the most valuable cargo from both the years' shipments into a single voyage i.e. the "Esperanza".
The salvage value predicted compares well with similar recently successful projects.
Although the cargo manifest has yet to be found, detailed evidence of coin consignment placed aboard the "Esperanza" before she sailed has been located.
In addition, the "Esperanza" would likely have been carrying porcelain, finished gold and silver jewellery art pieces, ivory crafts pieces, gold bullion/currency and a significant quantity of silks and spices.
