MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGAZPI
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 8:39 pm
The 30c stamp issued by the Cook Islands in 1975 shows most probably the flagship of the expedition the SAN PEDRO.
Since none of the expedition after Magellan from Loaisa to Villalobos had succeeded in taking over the Philippines, King Charles I stopped sending colonizers to the Islands. However, when Philip II succeeded his father to the throne in 1556, he instructed Luis de Velasco, the viceroy of Mexico, to prepare a new expedition – to be headed by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, who would be accompanied by Andres de Urdaneta, a priest who had survived the Loaisa mission.
The vessel for this fleet were built in New Spain and completed in 1564, two galleons, two pinnaces and a small boat which was put on the poop-deck of the flagship. Not much is known on the ships. The flagship was the SAN PEDRO 550 ton skippered by Mateo del Saz, the other three were the SAN PABLO 400 ton, SAN JUAN around 80 ton and SAN LUCAS 40 ton, the small craft did not carry a name, given as brigantine rigged.
21 November 1564 the small fleet set sail from Puerto de Navidad, Mexico with on board a total of 350 men.
The fleet set a westerly course in the latitude 9-13N. making a call at Guam from 23 January till 3 February 1565, reaching the Samar Islands on 13 February. From there sailed through the Surigao Strait to Cubu Island
On 13 February, 1565, Legaspi's expedition landed in Cebu island. After a short struggle with the natives, he proceeded to Leyte, then to Camiguin and to Bohol. There Legaspi made a blood compact with the chieftain, Datu Sikatuna as a sign of friendship. Legaspi was able to obtain spices and gold in Bohol due to his friendship with Sikatuna. On 27 April 1565, Legaspi returned to Cebu; destroyed the town of Raja Tupas and establish a settlement.
I can find only that the SAN PABLO returned back to New Spain and the SAN LUCAS which had lost contact with the fleet and after made a call in the Philippines returned back to New Spain also. I have not any fate of the vessels of the fleet.
This ships are the beginning of the famous Manila galleons who for the next 250 years made the passage over the Pacific, at least 1 ship a year was making a voyage.
Cook Island 1975 30c sg517, scott?
Source various internet sites.
Since none of the expedition after Magellan from Loaisa to Villalobos had succeeded in taking over the Philippines, King Charles I stopped sending colonizers to the Islands. However, when Philip II succeeded his father to the throne in 1556, he instructed Luis de Velasco, the viceroy of Mexico, to prepare a new expedition – to be headed by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, who would be accompanied by Andres de Urdaneta, a priest who had survived the Loaisa mission.
The vessel for this fleet were built in New Spain and completed in 1564, two galleons, two pinnaces and a small boat which was put on the poop-deck of the flagship. Not much is known on the ships. The flagship was the SAN PEDRO 550 ton skippered by Mateo del Saz, the other three were the SAN PABLO 400 ton, SAN JUAN around 80 ton and SAN LUCAS 40 ton, the small craft did not carry a name, given as brigantine rigged.
21 November 1564 the small fleet set sail from Puerto de Navidad, Mexico with on board a total of 350 men.
The fleet set a westerly course in the latitude 9-13N. making a call at Guam from 23 January till 3 February 1565, reaching the Samar Islands on 13 February. From there sailed through the Surigao Strait to Cubu Island
On 13 February, 1565, Legaspi's expedition landed in Cebu island. After a short struggle with the natives, he proceeded to Leyte, then to Camiguin and to Bohol. There Legaspi made a blood compact with the chieftain, Datu Sikatuna as a sign of friendship. Legaspi was able to obtain spices and gold in Bohol due to his friendship with Sikatuna. On 27 April 1565, Legaspi returned to Cebu; destroyed the town of Raja Tupas and establish a settlement.
I can find only that the SAN PABLO returned back to New Spain and the SAN LUCAS which had lost contact with the fleet and after made a call in the Philippines returned back to New Spain also. I have not any fate of the vessels of the fleet.
This ships are the beginning of the famous Manila galleons who for the next 250 years made the passage over the Pacific, at least 1 ship a year was making a voyage.
Cook Island 1975 30c sg517, scott?
Source various internet sites.