Today the waters off Cabo San Lucas are crossed by sportfishing boats, sunset catamarans and private yachts. Four centuries ago, they were crossed by something far more valuable: the Manila galleons, enormous Spanish ships carrying silk, porcelain, spices and silver across the Pacific between the Philippines and Acapulco.
Cape San Lucas was a landmark on that route, a place where galleons arrived after months at sea. Everyone who sailed these waters knew it, and so did the English privateers who hunted them.
In 1587, Thomas Cavendish learned from a captured Spanish pilot that a galleon was due around October or November and that it normally called at the cape before continuing to Acapulco. He took his two small ships, the 18-gun Desire and the 10-gun Content, and waited.
The Ambush
The Santa Ana, a vessel of more than 600 tons with about 100 sailors and passengers aboard, came into view in early November. She had, by several accounts, been stripped of her heavy guns, since no one expected an attack so close to the end of the voyage. The Spanish crew fought for roughly five hours, but the casualties were heavy and the commander surrendered.
The cargo was valued at around two million pesos. Cavendish loaded his ships with as much as they could carry, and the two vessels sailed for England separately. The Content was never heard from again. Cavendish returned in 1588 a wealthy man and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I on the deck of the Desire. He died at sea on a second voyage in 1592, at 31
Walk Where History Anchored
You can still feel the logic of the place. Cabo San Lucas sits at the very tip of the peninsula, where the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez meet and every ship must pass. Stay in Cabo Marina to watch the same bay from a terrace, or in Cabo Downtown to be steps from the harbor. Our concierge can arrange a private sunset sail with the story told in the right place.
FAQ
What were the Manila galleons?
Large Spanish trading ships that crossed the Pacific between Manila and Acapulco, carrying goods such as silk, porcelain, spices and silver.
When was the Santa Ana captured?
In November 1587, off Cabo San Lucas. Sources differ on the exact day.
Who was Thomas Cavendish?
An English privateer who captured the Santa Ana, returned to England a wealthy man in 1588, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I.
Sail Into the Story
Stay near the harbor and let our concierge arrange a private sunset sail.
