Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-10-02

right to embark such quantity of goods board
the Manila ship as the tunnage of their bales
amounted to; If they chuse not to be concerned
in trade themselves they had the power of selling
this privilege to others.
The galleon, her cargo on board, generally
weighed from the mole of Cabte," the port of
Manila, in july taking advantage of the westerly
monsoon to blow her out to sea- The waters to
the south of Luzon troublesome and 1t was
often toward the end of August before she got
through San Bernardino strait and clear of the
land Then she stood away ito the northward Of
the east in order to get into the latitude of S0odd
degrees" There he expected to get a westerly
wind, before which ito run away for the coast of
California" Under instructions from the king the
captain had to turn to the east as the west
wind was encountered.
The discriminating reader has doubtless already
asked himself this question: with 500 hands
aboard and the voyage lasting at least six months,
how did the galleon get fresh water? Walter says,
Indeed their method of procuring 1t was extreme
ly singular and deserves very particular recital"
Here's his recital
When the Manila ship first put to sea, they took
on board much greater quantity of water than
contain 1t hung all about the shrouds and
stays to exhibit at distance a very odd
Yet 1t is sufficiently obvious that six.
three months of water could
be slowed in ship so loaded, by any management
whatever; and therefore without some other sup
ply, this navigation could have been performed.
short, their only method of recruiting their
tween the ATTITUDES of 80 and 40 degrees North,
and which they always prepared to catch.
For this purpose they took to with them
great number Of mats which they placed slopingly
against the gunwale, whenever the rain descended;
these mats extended from end of the ship to
the other and their lower edges rested on large
split bamboo, that all the water which fell
the mats drained into the bamboo and by this, as
a trough was conveyed into jar; and this method
of supplying their water. however accidental and
extraordinary 1t may at first appear, was never
known to fail them
The Standards were exceedingly cautious with
the Manila galeon They never carried the main
sail at night and any Excessive breeze" was an
excuse to lie to. So the gaeon slowly plowed
along before the steady westerly wind, keeping her
latitude In the course of time she sighted plant
floating on the seattle vast beds of kelp along
the California coast ION the first discovery of the
plant the whole ships company chanted a solemn
TIE Deum esteeming the difficulties and hazards of
their passage to be at an end"
Thereupon the general gradually edged In to-
ward the California coast. There were no puebos
presidios and missions along the California coast
in those days but the missionaries had established
station near Cape San Lucas, at the southern
extremity of Lower California. And the general
kept sharp lookout for the signal fires of the
missionaries. If the fires told him the coast was
clear of pirates" the general and his officers went
ashore for the missionaries made wine that was
"highly esteemed" Back aboard ship, the general
shaped his course for Cape Corrientes on the
Mexican coast from which he "coasted along to
Acapulco"
Acapulco in those days had good harbor, but the
town was wretched place. 1t destitute of
fresh water and was almost deserted except at
the time Of the galleon's arrival and stay Then 1t
was crowded by traders from all parts OF Mexico.
The galIeon's cargo unloaded with all pos
sible haste She was made ready for the return
voyage quickly, the kings orders required her
sailIng-except In time Of dire emergency-be-
fore April l.
The galeon upon leaving Acapulco. steered for
the latitude OF - or IA and ran on that parallel