ESCRIBANIA DE CAMARA 55c
ESCRIBANIA DE CAMARA 55c
September 20, 1715, Palmar de Ayz - Francisco Salmon to the King;
"We were hit by a bad storm on the day of 28 July and it
increased in its fury each hour which obliged me to take down the
two main sails, but I left the storm sails up which the wind blew
away. The main mast was badly damaged, the rudder broken in many
pieces, and the bowsprit and foremast dismasted. Using all human
diligence we dropped two anchors in twelve fathoms of water, but
they dragged and after two hours we were thrown on some reefs in
four fathoms of water and the second time the ship hit the reef
the ship broke in three pieces. The center of the ship went or
stayed below the water, but the bow and stern of the ship were
thrown closer to shore, which was responsible for saving most of
the people. However, 82 drowned. And at a distance of two
leagues, four hours earlier before we sank, the Capitana of the
Flota sank and the General and over 200 persons drowned. The Capitana
of the Galleons of Echeverz and the Almiranta ran
aground at five leagues distance and all the other ship were
sunk not far away, however, all the ships sunk on the same
island. Until now, the number of ships lost are nine and the two
galleons missing, there is little doubt they sank on the high
seas, and this was proven because fragments of a ship or ships
were found on the north coast of St Augustine.
After this unfortunate event occurred. I sent news to the Viceroy
of New Spain and the Governors of Havana and Florida with a
launch and a boat which were found damaged on the shore. Both of
these places (Havana & St Augustine) are this distance from here.
The first (Havana) 115 leagues and the second (St Augustine) 46
leagues. I advised them to aid me with Victuals, because we are
on this island without any Victuals, because we lost all in the
disaster and most of the people are naked and hungry.
We have recovered from the Capitana and Almiranta 1450 boxes,
with 3000 pesos in each, including a few bars. Concerning the
treasure belonging to Your Highness (The king), because the
registry (manifest of the treasure) was lost on the Capitana, and
because the Master of Silver died in the disaster on the
Capitana. I am unable to tell Your Highness what portion of this
treasure belongs to Your Highness.... 1,400,000 pesos are
already safely carried to Havana.
When the silver came out of the water. it was placed in the hands
of Don Alonso de Armenta, lawyer of the Flota and four persons
were appointed as representatives for the merchants. I will stay
on this island with myself in bad health and half dressed, but I
will stay even if it means sacrificing my life."