Page 168 - Vol_2_Archaeology of Manila Galleon Seaport Trade

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

The second excavation season in 1993 started with the re-survey of the site from
January 20 to the early part of February. The focus of the second excavation season
that lasted from February 10 to April 14, 1993 was the exposition and recording of
the shipwreck’s wooden vestiges (Alba et al. 1993, 10). French underwater
archaeologist Michel L’Hour was invited to study the shipwreck’s naval architec-
ture, (L’Hour 1996) examined the textual sources on the original and modi!ed ship
structure as the San Diego was converted from its original purpose as a merchant
vessel to a warship.

7.3.3 Nuestra Señora de la Vida (1620)

Nuestra Señora de la Vida was an outbound Manila galleon that reportedly in sank
in 1620 (World Wide First (WWF) 1985). The pilot reportedly failed to properly
navigate the ship and hit one of the reefs off Verde Island (Schurz 1985; Fish 2011).
The ship reportedly ran aground onto the shore, after which the ship structure broke
and its contents recovered more than a year later following the date of the ship-
wreck. The furious passengers reportedly hanged the erring pilot. The shipwreck
lies on the southwest coast of Isla Verde. This island is in the middle of a strait of
the same name, approximately four miles from the north coast of Mindoro and
about three miles from the south coast of Luzon.
From December 1 to 12, 1985, the National Museum and WWF team carried out
excavation activities at the reported site. Several hundred fragments of Chinese blue
and white, scattered over a large area, were brought to the surface. Only thirty intact
pieces were recovered. Although the wooden remains of the vessel have mostly
disappeared, it is remarkable that a large part of the keel was found still in fairly
good condition (World Wide First (WWF) 1985).
Nuestra Señora de la Vida is considered signi!cant as it is the !rst time that a
keel and some !xtures belonging to a Spanish galleon have been found. The timber
measured 21 m long and is located between 4 and 6 m deep. The keel is placed in
its position by two huge blocks above it. The larger block is mainly composed of
ballast stones, together with coral concretions. The smaller block consists of several
cannonballs surrounded by a coating of iron and limestone aggregate and joined
together with ballast stones. On the east side of the keel, parts of the floor-timber
have survived. The keelson and two counter-keels have left traces under the two
blocks (ballast stones and cannon balls). The keel and the other timbers were
measured and photographed and all other associated materials were recovered and
recorded. A trench was also dug to determine the extent of the site and the divers
carried out investigations outside the immediate border of the site to determine the
debris !eld. It is signi!cant to note that traces of mercury were also found in the
wood. Mercury is used to purify sand and silver, ridding them respectively of the
sand grains and the ore (Nicolas 1986).
The Chinese blue and white fragments were analysed and compared with similar
items from the site “Cour Napoleon” stored at the Musee du Louvre in France