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7 Archaeological Researches on the Manila … 139

(World Wide First (WWF) 1985). Based on the comparative results, the trade wares
from Nuestra Señora de la Vida seemed to be of inferior quality and may be
destined for a less selective clientele, quite possibly for the general population. The
trade wares may well be produced during the second decade of the 17th century.
Considering the keel’s archaeological importance, the National Museum revis-
ited the site in 1986 to assess the possibility of raising and conserving it (Nicolas
1986). This was followed by another National Museum visit to verify reports of site
disturbance by sports divers (Conese 1987). The keel was apparently disturbed as
evidenced by broken planks and the presence of newly broken wood fragments.
Finally, the keel of the galleon Nuestra Señora de la Vida (1620) was transferred
from Boquete Island to Sabang, Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental in 1990 by
Underwater Archaeology Section personnel led by Section Head Dr. Eusebio Dizon
who was accompanied by museum conservator who assessed the condition of the
keel and took samples of fungi and bacteria for further laboratory testing. A plank
that was taken out of its original location and exposed to the elements was treated
chemically (Dizon 1990). The two larger pieces of the keel was tied alongside the
motorboat that allowed them to ‘float’ as the boat moves towards Sabang. Upon
reaching the designated transfer site, the keel was lowered into the sandy seabed at
around six metres deep and placed under a huge piece of coral to secure it.

7.3.4 The Encarnacion (1649)

Underwater Archaeological work done to locate the possible wreck of the galleon
Encarnacion, an Acapulco-bound galleon that wreck off the coast of Sorsogon, was
conducted only once from December 1985 to January 1986. Three personnel from
the UAU of the National Museum together with a group of private individuals who
provided logistics for the project conducted decompression dives on the reported
site.
The site is approximately 4.5 km from the west coast of Bulan, Sorsogon. It is
49 m deep with strong underwater current. Wooden planks were exposed after
removing less than a meter of sand using an airlift. On top of the planks were ballast
stones. The project was not completed because of bad weather.

7.3.5 The San Jose (1694)

The San Jose was the biggest Spanish galleon during its time, with a length of sixty
metres. She reportedly sunk during a storm somewhere off the shores of the west
side of Lubang Island, Mindoro Occidental on July 3, 1694 (Schurz 1985; Alba
1986; Fish 2011). The ship’s three masts and rudder supposedly broke while as the
ship hit the reef, causing severe damage to its structure. It was estimated that the