Page 166 - Vol_2_Archaeology of Manila Galleon Seaport Trade

136 S. C. B. Jago-on and B. C. Orillaneda

Fig. 7.3 Nautical Chart showing the survey areas in Catanduanes from 2002 to 2008 looking for
the Galleons Espiritu Santo and San Geronimo (Map generated by QGIS)

San Diego too heavy for manoeuvrability which was an essential factor for naval
engagements (Goddio 1994). After a brief skirmish at Friar Point, Mauritius and
San Diego had a running battle that !nally culminated in a !erce, close encounter
near Fortune Island, Batangas. De Morga’s bad tactical decisions and the unsuit-
ability of San Diego for sea battle caused it to sink when hit by cannon balls. San
Bartolome, San Diego’s escort vessel, captured the Concord in Lubang Island near
Mindoro While Mauritius escaped to Indonesia before returning to Rotterdam
(Desroches et al. 1995).
Archival research on the possible location of the site was conducted in the
libraries and archives of Spain, Holland, Italy and France. Primary historical
materials perused include Don Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas or
Historical Events of the Philippines Islands, published in Mexico in 1609 and
Olivier Van Noort’s My Arduous Journey Around the World and other sources that
mentioned the battle between San Diego and Mauritius (Goddio 1994; Orillaneda
2000).
The National Museum in collaboration with the World Wide First
(WWF) headed by Franck Goddio began searching for San Diego on April 8, 1991
(Desroches et al. 1995). Survey equipment used included positioning systems for
accurate tracking and navigation, magnetometers and sub-bottom pro!lers. Due to
the conflicting historical accounts regarding the exact sinking location, the survey