Carrera de Indias - History Lab

View of Seville from the west bank of the river

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:30:33 +0000

After the conquest of Granada (1492), Andalusia was fully incorporated into the Habsburg monarchy, and the population increased throughout the 16th century. This increase in population was particularly significant in the city of Seville, which in the 16th century had more than 100,000 inhabitants thanks to the economic development brought about by trade with America. In fact, the port of Seville exercised a monopoly on American trade by establishing the Casa de Contratación (1503) in the city. As a result, it became one of the most important European cities, as it was the gateway for goods from the New World that would later be traded, via various routes, throughout Europe. The increase in Seville’s mercantile and financial activity attracted many Castilians and foreigners who flocked to the city, some to settle there and enjoy its riches, others to embark for the New World in search of new opportunities.

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Fleets of New Spain

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:30:33 +0000

The New Spain Fleets linked Spain and the Viceroyalty of Mexico during the Modern Age. The route of this fleet was established, usually departing along the Guadalquivir River from Seville-Sanlúcar de Barrameda and, from 1680, from the Bay of Cádiz. Once at sea, they would head for the Canary Islands, and from there they would set course for America until they reached the port of Veracruz. The image shows precisely the departure of the fleet from the port of Veracruz to Cadiz, on a return voyage to Spain. These fleets transported mainly agricultural and manufactured goods from Europe to America, and brought silver and colonial products such as grana cochineal, leather, tortoiseshell, ginger and cocoa, among others, to the old continent. Asian products such as silk, which had arrived in New Spain via the Manila Galleon, were also shipped. The New Spain Fleet would remain in force until the end of the 18th century, thus enjoying a long history.

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Contracting House

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:30:33 +0000

The Contracting House was the institution responsible, from its first ordinances in 1503, for managing all commercial matters related to the New World. It was initially set up in Seville, the main hub of trade with America, where it remained for more than 200 years. Its splendour was such that in the mid-16th century it displaced other European financial centres such as Antwerp. Its first headquarters were in the Royal Shipyards of Seville, but it soon moved to the premises of the Real Alcázar. It remained there until 1717, when it moved to Cadiz, where it remained until 1790, when the institution was abolished. During its first decades of existence in the 16th century, it enjoyed great influence, which would diminish with the passing of time and with the creation of bodies such as the Consulado de Cargadores (Consulate of Chargers). At the end of the 17th century, its role was secondary, a condition that was further reinforced throughout the 18th century, mainly after its transfer to Cadiz. Its most visible activity throughout the 16th and 17th centuries was undoubtedly the organisation of the convoys that marched in the Carrera de Indias: the fleets of New Spain and Tierra Firme. He was also in charge, among other duties, of preparing the merchant ships and galleons of war, registering the merchandise, examining the passengers who embarked and preparing the pilots. It also managed the remittances from the Indies corresponding to the King and private individuals, and functioned as the first instance in its judicial sphere.

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Mainland Galleons

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:30:33 +0000

The Mainland Galleons were the ships of the Carrera de Indias that linked Spain with the Viceroyalty of Peru. This fleet differed in part from the Fleet of New Spain, as it brought together the fleet of Tierra Firme, a convoy of merchant ships, and the Armada de la Guardia de la Carrera de Indias, a squadron that was destined for the military protection of the fleet in the Atlantic. These fleets transported silver from the main mining centres in Peru, such as Potosí, La Paz and Oruro, which is why the Armada accompanied them, especially on their return to Spain. On their return journey, they were also joined by the fleet from New Spain. This combination of navy and fleet is known as the Tierra Firme galleons. On their journey to America, they left from Andalusia, stopped in the Canary Islands and from there they travelled mainly to the ports of Cartagena de Indias and Nombre de Dios, which in the 17th century was replaced by Portobelo. Over time, Peruvian trade caused the crisis and early disappearance of the Tierra Firme galleons and Portobelo fairs, as the Atlantic trade was progressively abandoned and the Pacific trade became more important, seeking the Pacific Race to the Philippines and China and the supply of European goods through Mexico and the fleets of New Spain. This new design led to the slow languishing of the galleons in the late 17th and early 18th century until they were finally scrapped in 1739. The image shows the plan of the galleon “Nuestra Señora del Mar”, one of those of the Armada of General Marqués del Vado, which was wrecked in the Gulf of Bermuda, its captain and owner being Admiral Francisco de Pineda. It shows how the galleon, which has four masts and sails hoisted, is surrounded by five boats where most of the crew have been assembled, while some of its members are lowered into them by ropes. There is a large amount of water coming out of the scuppers.

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