Title: The Spanish convoy of 1750
Description: Spanish flotas (convoys) traversed the Atlantic throughout the colonial period, shuttling men and goods between the Old and New Worlds. In August 1750, at the height of hurricane season, a small convoy of seven ships left Havana for Cadiz. A fierce storm scattered the ships from North Carolina's outer banks to Maryland's eastern shore. Spanish merchants, military officers, and sailors struggled to survive, protect their valuable cargo, and, eventually, find a way home. They faced piracy, rapacious English officials, and discord among crew and passengers (including dozens of English prisoners). Two and a half centuries later, the discovery of the wreckage of the convoy's flagship, La Galga, set off a legal battle between Spain and American treasure companies over salvage rights.
Subjects: La Galga (Warship), Treasure troves, Naval convoys, Shipwrecks, Foreign relations, History, United states, foreign relations, spain, Spain, foreign relations
Places: United States, Atlantic Coast (U.S.), Assateague Island National Seashore (Md. and Va.), Spain
Time periods: 18th century