Iberian Galleon

Timeline

1. c. 1520–1550Shipyards of the Iberian Peninsula · Iberian PeninsulaSpanish and Portuguese shipwrights fused design elements of the carrack and the Mediterranean galley, gradually establishing the multi-masted, multi-deck standard galleon form, giving it both oceanic range and gunnery firepower, and making it the core tool of Atlantic commerce and military expansion.
2. 1570–1590Atlantic Ocean · Atlantic OceanIn 1588 the Spanish Armada, built around galleons, sailed against England; though it suffered setbacks from storms and naval battle, it demonstrated the scale and military potential of the galleon, after which Spain continued to use the type to maintain its maritime dominance.
3. 1601–1610Pacific and Atlantic trade routes · Atlantic OceanBetween 1601 and 1610, galleons continued to carry the bulk of traffic on the Manila galleon route and the West Indies silver fleets, serving as an indispensable link in the Spanish Empire's maritime trade network connecting Asia, the Americas, and Europe.