Re: Ulloa's Trinidad
I found this thread on the Trinidad intriguing. My name is Steve Lawson and for the last 25 years I’ve been researching and diving Southern California shipwrecks. I’ve published two books by Ed Ries on the history of sport fishing and fishing barges (many of which are regularly visited by divers such as myself). I’m working on a publication on shipwrecks of the San Diego area, hence, my renewed interest in the story of the Trinidad.
Here is what I know about the Trinidad (and can back up with documentation):
An early mention of Ulloa and the Trinidad appears in the Oakland Tribune, October 26, 1933.
In 1950, Dr. J. J. Markey enters the picture in his search for the wreck (Los Angeles Times Feb 13, 1950). In later articles, he asserts the wreck is that of the Trinidad and claims to find a cave with survivors of wreck with coins and other items dated from the period. Dr. Eileen Herbster also joins in the search and propagation of the story (Los Angeles Times May 1, 1957). In 1958 Markey also claims to find “San Luis Rey Man,” a 50,000 year old skull. (Los Angeles Times Jun 2, 1958).
In 1955 divers first located a wreck off Solano Beach (Los Angeles Times, July 30, 1956). A sketch and divers statements suggested that the wreck had cannons on board (San Diequito Citizen, date unknown). Scripps divers locate and examine the wreck and conclude “…it looks suspiciously like a lumber schooner…has information of an old lumber schooner that sank in a storm off Solano Beach three years ago. The indicated location coincides with that of the vessel on the bottom.” (Long Beach Press Telegram September 3, 1955). James Moriarity of USD investigated the wreck and its story, and “…went on record as stating that efforts put forth by Takasato and by Markey are all in vain. He theorized Takasato had uncovered an old lumber barge.” (The Blade-Tribune September 14, 1969). The article goes on to discredit the theory of the Trinidad having sunk off Solana Beach. A large salvage effort was under way in the summer of 1969 (The Blade-Tribune August 28, 1969). A 1990 article with Markey and skulls (Los Angeles Times, SD edition May 1931, 1990) cites Richard Crawford of the SDHS as being highly critical of the research and Markey. Mariarity would go on to write “Francisco de Ulloa’s Return: The Myth of the Sinking of the Trinidad.” CEDAM International Bulletin, 1970. Parts of a wreck washed ashore in 1991 near Cardiff. Members of the SDMM examined the wreckage and determined it was constructed between 1860-1900, based on woodpegs and construction techniques.
Sometime in the early 1980s, I called Dr. Markey and asked him about the Trinidad. He said, “I don’t want to talk about it now” and hung up.
As mentioned earlier, Wagner researched Ulloa and his voyage, suggesting that the Trinidad never got any further than 27 degrees North and that Ulloa returned to Spain and was buried there.
Years ago, Roy Rousch (a mutual friend of other posters here) researched the wreck. He told me that an article was printed in a local SD paper showing Markey in a cave with the skulls. Another photo was published were showed mountain ridges in the background. Roy went to the purported site, obtained permission from the ranch owner (who laughed about the story) and was unable to find a mountain ridge in the area like any depicted in the photograph. Roy said he even crossed over into Camp Pendleton.
Roy said he found an article in an Argosy magazine c.1960 showing the same photo of Markey with the skulls, only this one was supposedly taken in the Philippines. The only difference between the photo in Argosy and the SD paper was that they were opposite—one was flipped right to left so it was reversed.
The George U. Hind was a barkentine built in 1919 in Rolph, California. She measured 231’L 43.5’B, 18.6’D and 1,389 gross tons. By 1930 she was purchased for use as a fishing barge (Los Angeles Times October 27, 1930). On April 4, 1935, she dragged anchor and stranded on Solana Beach (Modesto Bee April 5, 1935). She was later pulled off and re-anchored, however, a notice was published that the “Navy Branch Hydrographic Office warns mariners to keep clear of the lighted derelict barkentine George U. Hind anchored with decks awash in six and one-half fathoms off Carlsbad, Ca. The craft is to be removed in six weeks” (Los Angeles Times, September 21, 1936). Another article states that she would be blow up as a menace to navigation if not claimed or moved (Oakland Tribune September 30, 1936).
To the best of my knowledge, there is no archival or physical evidence suggesting the Trinidad or any wreck of antiquity lies in the area or has been located and quite a bit of evidence to the contrary. In my opinion, the tale is supported only by wishful thinking.
gollum-- I am very interested in learning more about the ballast piles and gold crosses said to have been found in the area. Are there any photographs of these?
pedleglooker-Regarding the yard arm found in the desert, what paper did it appear in and what date?
I would like to hear more about the Trinidad and other treasure wrecks and invite you to contact me direct at
swlawson@bigvalley.net.
Regards,
Steve
Very interesting story..... The man who found it also found a ship out in the desert ( south of the border )...
