The Heavy Burden of the San Diego (1600)

Summary

The video recounts the naval clash between Dutch Admiral Van Noord and Spanish commander Dr. Antonio de Morga in the Philippines during the early 1600s. Morga, an inexperienced judge turned naval leader, commanded the hastily modified Spanish ship San Diego, while Van Noord's fleet sought wealth and trade dominance. Despite initial hopes, the encounter was disastrous for both sides. The San Diego, overburdened and ill-prepared, sank after a fierce battle. Centuries later, its wreck was discovered, offering insight into the ship's final moments and the lives of those on board.

Takeaways

• 🚢 Demorga's flagship was a hastily converted merchant vessel, poorly prepared for battle against the Dutch.
• ⚔️ Dutch commander Van Nort sought fame and fortune during his global voyage, leading to a disastrous encounter with Demorga.
• 🏴‍☠️ The Dutch, reduced to two ships, captured vessels around the Philippines, posing a threat to Spanish trade.
• ⚖️ Demorga, a judge with no naval experience, was appointed to lead the Spanish fleet, despite protests.
• 🛡️ The San Diego, originally a trading vessel, was overloaded with crew and supplies, and poorly equipped for battle.
• 🗡️ Samurai mercenaries, along with local gentry, joined Demorga's fleet, which ultimately led to chaos during the battle.
• 🔥 A fierce six-hour battle occurred between the San Diego and the Dutch ship Mauritius, resulting in hand-to-hand combat.
• ⚓ The San Diego sank shortly after disengaging from the Mauritius due to severe damage and overloading.
• 🗺️ Despite losses, Van Nort completed his voyage, becoming the first Dutchman to circumnavigate the globe.
• 🏺 In 1991, the wreck of the San Diego was discovered, revealing historical artifacts and insights into the ship's final moments.

Q & A

Who was Demorga and what was his role in the battle?

Demorga, or Dr. Antonio de Morga, was a senior judge with no naval experience who took command of a hastily assembled Spanish fleet during the battle. He convinced the governor to appoint him as the head of the fleet, despite protests from others who felt he lacked the necessary experience.

What was Van Nort's goal during his voyage around the world?

Van Nort, the Dutch commander, hoped to gain wealth and fame from his voyage, and he had been given permission by the Prince of Orange to attack Spanish and Portuguese ships. He also intended to complete a Dutch circumnavigation of the globe.

How was the San Diego prepared for battle, and what were its major weaknesses?

The San Diego was a hastily converted merchant vessel, with bronze cannons from Manila's forts that were heavier than standard ship cannons. The ship was overloaded with supplies, men, and extra cabins, which made it poorly balanced and top-heavy. This caused the ship to list dangerously, and it sank after sustaining damage during battle.

What led to the sinking of the San Diego during the battle?

The San Diego was already listing when it left port due to being overloaded. During the battle, the ship sustained cannon fire damage and started taking on water. Once it was cut free from the Dutch ship Mauritius, it quickly began to sink, likely due to a combination of poor balance and damage from the fighting.

How did Van Nort's ship, the Mauritius, survive the battle?

Despite being overwhelmed by Spanish forces, the Mauritius managed to survive, possibly because of a fire that broke out on board. Some speculate that Van Nort himself set the fire to drive off the Spanish attackers. The Spanish retreated to their own ship, fearing an explosion, which gave the Dutch a chance to regain control.

What were the differences between the Dutch and Spanish forces in terms of training and preparation?

The Spanish had more men, but many of them were poorly trained and inexperienced in naval warfare. In contrast, the Dutch were better armed and trained for combat at sea, which gave them an advantage during the battle, despite being outnumbered.

What was the outcome for both commanders after the battle?

Demorga managed to escape serious consequences for his mishandling of the battle and went on to serve as an Inquisition judge in Mexico. Van Nort, despite losing the battle, completed his voyage around the world, becoming the first Dutch commander to circumnavigate the globe.

How did the battle between the San Diego and the Mauritius affect both ships?

The San Diego, already struggling with balance issues, became further damaged by cannon fire and began to take on water. The Mauritius sustained heavy casualties, with only around 15 men left unwounded, and suffered a fire on board during the battle, but it remained afloat after the Spanish retreated.

What artifacts were found when the wreck of the San Diego was discovered in 1991?

The wreck of the San Diego contained many significant artifacts, including samurai swords from Japanese mercenaries, fine pottery from China, and a solid gold seal with Demorga's coat of arms. These items provided insights into the wealth of those on board and helped confirm the ship's identity.

Why did the Spanish fleet's other ship, the San Bartholomy, fare better in battle than the San Diego?

The San Bartholomy, commanded by a more experienced leader, used its overwhelming force of men to quickly board and take control of the Dutch ship it was facing. Unlike the San Diego, it sustained minimal casualties and did not suffer from the same balance or preparation issues.