In the early modern period, Hispanic navigation broadened the world’s maritime horizon. America, Europe and Asia were connected by sea routes that took advantage of coastal geographical features and wind and ocean dynamics to link ports and cultures.
Main ports
Port #15 / 15
This port played a crucial role during the three centuries of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, as this was the point of departure for ships bound for Spain loaded with gold, treasures and goods in the so-called Carrera de Indias (the West Indies trade route); which is why it was attacked on several occasions by pirates and corsairs.
Scattered around the coasts of the United States of America and the Bahamas are thousands of Spanish shipwrecks that once sailed their waters from the beginning of the 16th century to the end of the 19th century. A shared history comprising tales of exploration, colonization, globalization and battles which take place in seas and oceans, facing natural hazards and extreme weather conditions.
10 notable shipwrecks
Story #1 / 10
In 1549, a Spanish ship wrecked in the Florida Keys and the survivors were captured by fierce Calusa Indians who sacrificed all but 13-year old Hernando Escalante Fontaneda. He was the only one who seemed to understand the Calusa’s gestures asking them to dance and sing at the risk of getting killed if they did not.
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Statistics, anecdotes, specialized vocabulary and a bibliography to help those who want to deepen their knowledge of the historical period in which the shipwrecks reported on this website occurred.
| Period | Ships | Percentage |
|---|
| 16th century | 55 of 150 | 36.67% |
| 17th century | 20 of 150 | 13.33% |
| 18th century | 55 of 150 | 36.67% |
| 19th century | 20 of 150 | 13.33% |
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