Compton captured and killed the surviving crew. Spain finally colonized California because of incidents like this and threats to her claims over the territory. Soldiers established a series of forts or presidios along the coast. With the presidios, came the California missions. Soon, the Spanish required all ships sailing along the California coast, including the Manila galleons, to stop at Monterey.
Evidence is scare and often unreliable.
But, legends of wrecked vessels continue to persist. Conflicting currents that continuously pound against the dangerous reefs of the point discourage divers from exploring the area. Indeed, many ships have come to grief in the waters around Point Bennett. Rumors of a brass cannon, a ships ballast stone, and a very old anchor off Point Bennett motivated one group to get permission from California to search for a late 16 th century galleon in the area. Nothing ever came of the expedition.