Description
A true account of the discovery of the centuries-old diary of Diego Rivadeneira, a seventeenth-century Spanish priest, discusses how the diary led to the discovery and salvage of the La Capitana, a Spanish treasure galleon that sank in 1694 en route from Peru to Spain. Reprint.
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In 1654, Padre Diego Rivadeneira sets out for Spain from Peru in a small armada led by the immense galleon La Capitana, "Queen of the South Sea," carrying ten million pesos in silver coin and bullion. Late one night, off the coast of Ecuador, the Capitana hits a reef and begins to sink. Abroad his own ship, Padre Rivadeneira watches in horror. A year later, still attempting to travel to Spain, his ship, in a freak collision, is lost on the wild shoals of Los Mimbres, Bahamas. Lost are also 600 people and five million pesos in treasure. Unable to swim, the padre clings for his life to a floating hatch cover. He is one of only forty-five survivors. After more trials and tribulations, he finally has Cadiz in sight when the English Fleet attacks. His ship explodes, Padre Diego finds himself in the cold Atlantic Ocean. He is rescued but taken prisoner.
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