Page 171 - Vol_2_Archaeology of Manila Galleon Seaport Trade

7 Archaeological Researches on the Manila … 141

storm pushed the ship into the shallow reefs that caused its destruction on July 23,
1726. The ship reportedly sunk, with its stern on the shallow area and its bow facing
the Ticao Pass. The vessel was one of the biggest during its time, weighing
approximately 4000 ton and carried 52 bronze and iron cannons (Alba 2004). At the
time of its sinking, she was fully laden with cargoes destined for Acapulco that may
include spices, marine and forest products, silk and porcelains among others.
Ticao Island is one of three major islands of Masbate. The island’s importance to
the galleon trade lies in its location along the galleon route. The area is also one the
last stops for the galleons to load water, provisions and possibly contraband mer-
chandise before heading out to the San Bernardino Straits and continue its long and
arduous journey across the Paci!c towards Acapulco. Archaeological evidences for
the island’s importance consists of the presence of ancient foreign ceramics from
China, Vietnam and Thailand as well as glass beads and old coins in burials and
habitations (Alba 2004).
The search for the shipwreck began with archival research in the Casa de la
Contratacion in Sevilla Spain. Textual sources indicate that Santo Cristo de Burgos
San Juda Tadeo y de las Benditas Animas del Purgatorio sunk on July 23, 1726 off
the Southeast coast just a little north of the municipality of San Fernando, Ticao
Island, Masbate (Alba 2004).
On-site survey to search for the actual sinking Santo Cristo off the shores of
2
Ticaosoon followed. The survey area is 127.19 km stretching 28 km from north to
south along the eastern coast of Ticao Island. The National Museum worked with
WWF and carried out bathymetric and magnetometer survey as well as undersea
visual assessments using SCUBA to check detected anomalies and other
shipwreck-related objects such as ceramics and ballast stones. The survey yielded
Chinese blue and white and enamelled porcelains, olive-green glazed jars as well as
Thai stoneware fragments. An interesting !nd was a shell spoon that was similar as
the one recovered in the San Jose wreck site in Masbate dated to 1694. The
researchers believed the materials were from the Santo Cristo.
Despite the very thorough investigation, the ship itself or the main cargoes,
especially the 52 cannons, was never found. It is very possible that Santo Cristo de
Burgo had been thoroughly salvaged, as it was located in shallow waters. There are
evidences that the ship was grounded in the area based on the presence of ballast
stones. After the investigation results, the National Museum and WWF decided to
terminate the project (Alba 2004).

7.3.7 San Andres (1798)

San Andres was an Acapulco-bound galleon under the command of Captain
General Manuel Lecoraz when she allegedly engaged Moro pirates at the entrance
of the Embocadero. The Captain lost control of the ship when the wind suddenly
stopped during the manoeuvre, rendering her helpless at the mercy of the currents.
All hands were saved but the cargoes were allegedly lost.