Analysis of the Gulf of Mexico’s Veracruz-Havana Route of La Flota de la Nueva España

Abstract

During colonial times, an active maritime trade existed between Spain and the New World, with convoys sailing annually to and from Mexico and returning via Havana, Cuba, after wintering in America. A database constructed from secondary and open sources revealed that Spanish vessels were sailing over open waters along a northern path near Louisiana and a southern path across the central Gulf of Mexico. These routes were traversed in about one month and scheduling for the convoy was based on an understanding of the Americas' meteorological and oceanographic climate. However, other factors may also have been involved in the directional layout of the routes. Today these ancient routes crisscross planning areas for oil and gas lease sales in the US Exclusive Economic Zone and the information presented in this article may aid in identifying areas where historic shipwrecks may lie. Maps and documents found during this study helped piece together the evolution of our understanding of the Gulf of Mexico surface circulation and how this knowledge influenced sailing during colonial times. Keywords Routes Á Derrotas Á Gulf of Mexico Á Veracruz Á Havana Á New Spain Á Shipwrecks A. Lugo-Fernández (&) Physical Sciences Unit (MS 5433),

Marine Archaeology Survey of Redfish Bay Pipeline Project, Nueces County, Texas

“…Their ships typically followed either a northern route, paralleling the coast, or crossed the central Gulf of Mexico. Seasonal changes in wind and current patterns determined their choice of routes (Lugo-Fernandez et al 2007). The northern route occasionally imperiled Spanish flotillas when storms pushed them toward the coast.…”

Archival Investigations for Potential Colonial-Era Shipwrecks in Ultra-deep Water within the Gulf of Mexico

“…Specifically, the study intended to identify potential vessel losses far from land associated with other causes such as fire, structural hull failure, foundering during a storm, or armed attack. Vessels laden with goods from Veracruz, Mexico, bound for Spain (via Havana) made the passage along a route that sailed north-northwest to about 26º North Latitude before turning east toward Florida (Lugo-Fernández et al 2007). In addition to examining vessel losses and routes established by the Spanish, the current investigation also sought to acquire archival documents highlighting vessel losses incurred by other nationalities (including the French) as well as examining additional trade routes throughout the GOM.…”

“…The two largest warships that escorted the fleet were referred to as the capitana, and the two lesser warships were referred to as the almiranta. For the reminder of Spain's active role in colonization, the bulk of its trade with the New World, generally known as the Carerra de las Indias, sailed on these great fleets (Lugo-Fernández et al 2007;Phillips 1986).…”

“…Between 1757 and 1776, there were six voyages. The last flota to New Spain sailed from the mother country in 1779 (Lugo-Fernández et al 2007;Márquez 2006;Stein and Stein 2003).…”

The Archaeological Study of Spanish Colonialism in the Americas

“…Amodio et al (1997) document the Camino Real that connected Caracas and the port of La Guaira during the colonial period, providing information about associated sites and activities as well as the road itself. Like regional studies, the examination of transportation routes (see also Fournier 2006;Lugo-Fernández et al 2007) encourages the investigation of social and economic linkages among communities and institutions, an approach that archaeologists of the colonial period have yet to develop. Such a perspective not only would highlight the ways in which surpluses were extracted and goods moved through developing commodity chains but also would facilitate the examination of interactions between indigenous groups, an issue that merits more attention.…”