Description
THE NEW SPAIN FLEET AND THE SEARCH FOR THE GALLEON NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL JUNCAL
Book Summary
This publication accompanies the exhibition of the same name held at the General Archive of the Indies, offering a documentary and historical journey through the life of the galleon Nuestra Señora del Juncal. The work analyzes everything from its construction and its role as the flagship of the New Spain Fleet, one of the most important of the 17th century, to its tragic shipwreck in 1631 in the Bay of Campeche. The reader will find detailed research into the causes of the sinking and modern efforts to locate its remains, combining naval history with underwater archaeology.
What is it about?
The book is structured around the exhibition that reconstructs the history of the galleon Nuestra Señora del Juncal. First, it addresses the context of the New Spain Fleet, explaining its strategic and commercial relevance to the Spanish Crown during the 17th century. It then focuses on the biography of the galleon, highlighting how, despite not being designed for it, it came to serve as the flagship of the fleet. The narrative culminates with the shipwreck that occurred in November 1631, when the fleet was returning to Castile, and describes the conditions that led to the sinking somewhere in the Bay of Campeche, in the Gulf of Mexico. Finally, the work presents the search campaigns and underwater archaeological research efforts carried out to locate the wreck, offering a comprehensive view of submerged cultural heritage.
Main Topics
- Naval history of the New Spain Fleet in the 17th century.
- Biography and shipwreck of the galleon Nuestra Señora del Juncal.
- Underwater archaeology and shipwreck search techniques.
- Documentary cultural heritage and research at the General Archive of the Indies.
- Maritime trade and transatlantic routes between Spain and America.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at historians, archaeologists, students of naval history, and enthusiasts of underwater archaeology. It is also of great interest to readers drawn to maritime expeditions, historical shipwrecks, and the preservation of cultural heritage. It is an ideal work for those who wish to know in depth a specific episode of the Carrera de Indias and the research processes surrounding the location of sunken galleons.
What this book contributes
- A detailed view of the life and death of a 17th-century flagship galleon, based on archival documents.
- Updated information on the search campaigns for the Nuestra Señora del Juncal in the Bay of Campeche.
- The combination of naval history and underwater archaeology in a single reference volume.
- Historical context on the importance of the New Spain Fleet in the global trade of the era.
- Graphic and documentary material from the exhibition at the General Archive of the Indies.
Technical Data
- Author: Various Authors
- Publisher: MINISTRY OF CULTURE
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: EXHIBITION CATALOGS AND SPECIFIC COLLECTIONS
- Collection: ARCHAEOLOGY
- Publication Date: January 2022
- Number of pages: 100
- Weight: 1380 g
Editorial Assessment
This is a specialized work that stands out for its documentary rigor and its multidisciplinary approach, merging naval history with underwater archaeology. The book is especially valuable for the public interested in maritime cultural heritage, as it offers an accessible synthesis of a complex investigation. Its origin as an exhibition catalog guarantees a careful selection of graphic and documentary materials, making it a useful reference for both professionals and enthusiasts of the history of navigation and shipwrecks.