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Loss of a treasure ship in 1558
(Excerpt from Chronilces of Shipwrecks and Sunken Treasure 900-1900 AD)
Available from SevenSeasPublishing.com
In 1543, while sailing unknown waters, a Chinese junk navigated by Portuguese sailors accidentally discovered the island of Japan, which was then considered a mythical kingdom by most of the world. Within three years afterwards the Portuguese had established a settlement for trading with Japan in southeastern China which they bestowed the name Macao, meaning ?City of God.?
From there in 1546, the Portuguese dispatched a small fleet loaded with Chinese silks, porcelains, and gold, and returned with Japanese products, thus inaugurating a system of trade that endured for forty years into the next century. From the beginning growth in commerce flourished and Macao rapidly emerged as Portugal?s stronghold and way-station in the Far East. The primary incentive for the China-Japan trade, was rooted in the average ratio of gold to silver, which in Japan was 1 to 12, whereas in China the ratio was about 1 to 6. The Portuguese were thus in position to enrich themselves by acting as bullion-brokers in exchange of Chinese gold for Japanese silver. Notwithstanding, silver and gold flowed in both directions as the medium of exchange for all goods, especially for silks and porcelain.
Little detail is known of voyages made in the years 1546-1554. However, archival documents verify that three ships sailed to Japan in 1546, none in 1547, one in 1548, none in 1549, two in 1550, and one in each of the years? 1551-1554.
The first ships undertaking the Macao-Japan voyage, for which there is information, were a huge carrack commanded by Duarte da Gamma and a Chinese junk commanded by Diogo Vaz de Aragao. The voyage was made in 1555 or 1556 with da Gamma?s ship returning with no less than 100,000 cruzadoes in silver.
Subsequently, authorization for another Macao-Japan voyage was purchased by Leonel de Sousa, who instead exchanged his grant for rights to three trading voyages to India. His decision was no doubt prompted by the fact there were already two other ships in China preparing for the Japan voyage, making the venture less profitable. Next in 1557, Francisco Martians successfully made the journey in a large carrack.
In the following year, Leonel de Sousa took his turn, leaving Japan with his ship packed to the limit with treasure and merchandise. Upon reaching China a typhoon erupted and the ship was dashed to pieces on an unnamed shore. Among the survivors was the famous Portuguese poet Luis de Camoes, who reached land carrying his celebrated writings over his head, possibly indicating that the wreck had occurred in very shallow water.
One hint concerning the location of the wreck site is supplied by the Jesuit Belchior Gago, who in a letter dated November 1st 1559, seemed suggesting that the loss had occurred inside the channel between Hainan Island (Hai-Nan Tao) and the Chinese mainland. Further research into the life of Camoes may provide additional valuable clues.
(Excerpt from Chronilces of Shipwrecks and Sunken Treasure 900-1900 AD)
Available from SevenSeasPublishing.com
In 1543, while sailing unknown waters, a Chinese junk navigated by Portuguese sailors accidentally discovered the island of Japan, which was then considered a mythical kingdom by most of the world. Within three years afterwards the Portuguese had established a settlement for trading with Japan in southeastern China which they bestowed the name Macao, meaning ?City of God.?
From there in 1546, the Portuguese dispatched a small fleet loaded with Chinese silks, porcelains, and gold, and returned with Japanese products, thus inaugurating a system of trade that endured for forty years into the next century. From the beginning growth in commerce flourished and Macao rapidly emerged as Portugal?s stronghold and way-station in the Far East. The primary incentive for the China-Japan trade, was rooted in the average ratio of gold to silver, which in Japan was 1 to 12, whereas in China the ratio was about 1 to 6. The Portuguese were thus in position to enrich themselves by acting as bullion-brokers in exchange of Chinese gold for Japanese silver. Notwithstanding, silver and gold flowed in both directions as the medium of exchange for all goods, especially for silks and porcelain.
Little detail is known of voyages made in the years 1546-1554. However, archival documents verify that three ships sailed to Japan in 1546, none in 1547, one in 1548, none in 1549, two in 1550, and one in each of the years? 1551-1554.
The first ships undertaking the Macao-Japan voyage, for which there is information, were a huge carrack commanded by Duarte da Gamma and a Chinese junk commanded by Diogo Vaz de Aragao. The voyage was made in 1555 or 1556 with da Gamma?s ship returning with no less than 100,000 cruzadoes in silver.
Subsequently, authorization for another Macao-Japan voyage was purchased by Leonel de Sousa, who instead exchanged his grant for rights to three trading voyages to India. His decision was no doubt prompted by the fact there were already two other ships in China preparing for the Japan voyage, making the venture less profitable. Next in 1557, Francisco Martians successfully made the journey in a large carrack.
In the following year, Leonel de Sousa took his turn, leaving Japan with his ship packed to the limit with treasure and merchandise. Upon reaching China a typhoon erupted and the ship was dashed to pieces on an unnamed shore. Among the survivors was the famous Portuguese poet Luis de Camoes, who reached land carrying his celebrated writings over his head, possibly indicating that the wreck had occurred in very shallow water.
One hint concerning the location of the wreck site is supplied by the Jesuit Belchior Gago, who in a letter dated November 1st 1559, seemed suggesting that the loss had occurred inside the channel between Hainan Island (Hai-Nan Tao) and the Chinese mainland. Further research into the life of Camoes may provide additional valuable clues.
