Echeverz' San Miguel Location
DATA ON LOCATION OF THE SAN MIGUEL OF ECHEVERZ
PAGE 60.
1. This was a registered ship the Echeverz escorted from Spain
to within sight of Puerto Rico, where it left his convoy and
proceeded on to Havana, where it picked up tobacco and later
joined the convoy there. Her full name was San Miguel, her
Master was Alonso de Figueros, and her owner was Antonio de
Echeverz. She was built in Spain of 180 tons, (Buque de Arqueo
which is the rated cargo capacity for the ship - JH). When she
left Spain she only carried a crew of 62 men. Her beam was 12
codos, length of keel 39 codos, overall length 44 codos (at the
dead rises - JH). She carried 22 cannon; 18 iron four pounders and
4 iron two pounders.
2. Testimony of Captain Nicolas de Ynda, Havana, 16 Aug 1715.
"All of the ships were lost except a French nao and 3
frigates of Echverz' Squadron ...the hurricane struck when they
were in 28 degrees of latitude ...the day before the storm the
frigate San Miguel of the Tierra Firme Squadron separated from
the convoy.."
3. Casa Torres to the King, Havana, 17 Sept 1715.
"...there is no news or any hope for the 3 ships: El
Grifon, The French Prize, or the registered ship San Miguel that
Echeverz sent to Havana..”
4. Salmon to the King, Palmar de Ayz, 20 Sept 1715.
"...until now the number of ships lost are nine and the
two galleons missing (he didn't include the Grifon), there is
little doubt that they sank on the high seas, and this is proven
because fragments of a ship or ships were found on the north
coast of St Augustine.."
5. Casa Torres to Viceroy of Mexico, Havana, 12 Oct 1715.
"...we have no news nor hope for three other ships:
Grifon, the French Prize, and the register ship of Echeverz'
named San Miguel that had come to Havana to pick up tobacco.
According to the pilots and other experienced people, judging
from their positions when the hurricane struck, it is believed
they were swallowed up by the sea and are totally lost..”
PAGE 61.
SAN MIGUEL LOCATION DATA - TWO
6. Lima to Linares (Virrey de Mexico), Havana, 19 Oct 1715.
"..but from news we have received from St Augustine, we
learned that fragments of a large ship came ashore 15 leagues
(Should be about 50 miles or so - JH) to the leeward of this port,
and because there are many reefs outside of this portion of the
coast we fear that there were no survivors from that wreck..”
Lima believed it might be the Grifon, but since the Grifon made
it back this wreck might be either the San Miguel or the French
Prize.
7. Governor Spotswood of Virginia, 24 Oct 1715.
"..a considerable quantity of plate is likewise cast
away about 40 miles to the northward of St Augustine..”
8. Vatican Document, Undated.
"Of the 6 ships of Echeverz, 400 people drowned."
9. Duro, Armada Espanola, Vol VI, pp 121.
"The San Miguel sank with everything on board."