The repair of navy ships in Cartagena de Indies in the mid seventeenth century: The case of the Santiago and her loss in the Caribbean

Abstract

The Santiago was a galleon of the Armada de la Guarda de las Indias that travelled in convoy with the Tierra Firme fleet in 1658 and was lost in Chinchorro Bank, Mexico, during her returning voyage to Spain. The study of her last repairs carried out in Cartagena de Indias brings the opportunity to understand the infrastructure of the port and its capabilities to face one of the main problems of the Carrera de Indias: the harsh conditions of the transatlantic voyage and the structural deficiencies of some of the Armada ships to accomplish their objectives of defence. Based on historical sources in Spanish and Mexican archives, the authors reconstruct the Santiago’s final repairs in that port, the resources available, and the level of reliance on local society to obtain the materials and labour force needed. This research will help to advance the archaeological identification of her remains among the shipwrecks registered in Chinchorro.