HAWKINS AND THE BATTLE OF SAN JUAN de ULUA, 1569

The Third Veracruz: Location of the Largest Transfer of Riches in History
Sitting quietly across the Malecón from the busy city and port of Veracruz is the old Spanish fort of San Juan de Ulua. This is the third Veracruz. Most people don´t know it, but this was the transfer point for the huge treasure of the Spanish Empire. It was the largest in the history of mankind. Perhaps because it was so long ago, that most people don´t think much about it.

John Hawkins and the battle of San Juan de Ulua, 1569.

Inheritor at age 21 of an English shipping firm, John Hawkins voyaged twice to the West Indies (in 1562 and 1564), selling European gods and African slaves to smaller Spanish towns. In 1567 he organized his third and largest expedition (this one) around the Galleon, Jesus of Lubeck.

On the Main, Hawkins found the Spanish increasingly unwilling to trade with him. The Spanish home government was aware of Hawkins voyage, and was putting pressure on the colonials to obey the letter of the law. Hawkins resorted to forcing open the marketplace at gunpoint in a few ports, and was chased out of others by gunfire from forts.

Disappointed by the Main, Hawkins set sails for Havana, but a storm blew his ships far into the gulf of Campeche. The only harbor where he could repair his ships was San Juan de Ulua, the island anchorage for Vera Cruz. Unfortunately for Hawkins, the day after he arrived the Spanish Treasure fleet appeared, armed to the teeth with war galleons and troops. After a few days of organizing, the Spanish attacked Hawkins in harbor, destroying most of his ships and scattering the rest. These sad remnants, without food or water, struggled home to England, Hawkins got home on the Minion with only fifteen men left in his crew.

After this voyage Hawkins became a staunch enemy of Spain, serving England as treasurer and comptroller of the Navy, an admiral on the Victory against the Spanish Armada, leader of raids against Spanish South America, and finally as Member of Parliament. He died in 1595 at age 63.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Vera
• Cruz

[FrediXFilms]

@charlynedved99 Hi, glad you liked my piece of music : )

Many of my compositions are inspired by historical events from long ago. Thanks for listening.

[charlynedved99]

Great, FrediXFilms, im searching more info about all the battles who have been fought it here in all the Free State and Soverign of Veracruz. I am doing this for the love what i feel for my little nation. I'll appreciate ur enforcement and if can i ask u what song did u use, or if is a song created by u.. bc is awesome, very accord to the video. greetings.

[FrediXFilms]

On the Main, Hawkins found the Spanish increasingly unwilling to trade with him. The Spanish home government was aware of Hawkins voyage, and was putting pressure on the colonials to obey the letter of the law. Hawkins resorted to forcing open the marketplace at gunpoint in a few ports, and was chased out of others by gunfire from forts.