Pedro de Unamuno facts for kids
Pedro de Unamuno was a Spanish soldier and sailor. He lived in the 1500s. He explored places like New Spain (which is now Mexico) and the Philippines.
Pedro is famous for sailing a large ship called the Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza. In 1587, he made the second trip across the Pacific Ocean from Asia to the Americas. Another explorer, Francisco Gali, made the first trip in 1584.
Contents
Journey Across the Pacific
Pedro de Unamuno's journey began in Macau, a city in Portuguese territory, on July 12, 1587. His ship, the Esperanza, reached the coast of California on October 18. They landed in a sandy bay, which might have been Monterey Bay or Morro Bay. There, they met some of the native people living in California.
After exploring the coast, they sailed south. They followed the western American coastline. On November 22, they arrived in Acapulco, a port city in New Spain.
Why the Journey Was Important
The main reasons for Unamuno's trip were to find some legendary islands. These islands were called Rica de Oro, Rica de Plata, and Armenio. People believed these islands were full of gold and silver. However, Unamuno concluded that these islands did not exist.
Another goal was to transport valuable Chinese goods. This was a way to make money. But this trade was against the rules set by the Spanish Crown. The Spanish king had given a special right, called a monopoly, to the Manila galleons. This meant only certain ships could carry goods between Manila and New Spain. Unamuno's voyage, like Gali's before it, broke these rules.
The Santa Ana Incident
In 1587, the official trade ship from Manila was the Santa Ana. It reached the Californian coast about a month after Unamuno's Esperanza. But the Santa Ana was captured! Two English privateer ships attacked it. These ships were led by Sir Thomas Cavendish. They took the Santa Ana and all its valuable cargo.
People on Board
Pedro de Unamuno had a skilled pilot named Alonso Gómez. His crew included both Spaniards and Filipino sailors. There were also three Franciscan friars (religious men) traveling as passengers. Their names were Martín Ignacio de Loyola, Francisco de Nogueira, and one whose name is not known. Friar Martín Ignacio de Loyola brought a young Japanese boy with him. This boy had become a Catholic.
See also
