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Spanish Silver Fleet
In the 1600s, the Spanish Empire maintained the Flota de Indias system, sailing regularly from Seville/Cádiz via Havana to Veracruz and Portobelo, ca…
Timeline
- 1601–1605Cádiz · AndalusiaSpanish merchant ships and warships assembled at Cádiz or Seville, carrying settlers, goods, and military supplies across the Atlantic, rendezvousing at Havana and other Caribbean ports to form an escorted convoy before continuing west.
- 1605–1610Veracruz · New SpainThe fleet arrived at Veracruz in New Spain to load silver and goods from the viceroyalties of Mexico and Peru, then regrouped at Havana for the return voyage to Spain. English and Dutch privateers frequently harassed Caribbean waters, prompting Spain to strengthen escorts and port defenses.
Sources
- Spanish treasure fleet https://www.britannica.com/topic/Spanish-treasure-fleet
- Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492–1763 — Henry Kamen (2003)