Abstract:
In February of 1750, a fleet of five Spanish ships heavily loaded with silver and spices sailed from Veracruz, the collection point of the Spanish Empire in the New World, to Havana. From there, the ships were to sail for Europe, but were instead wrecked by gale force winds along the coast of North Carolina. The EL SALVADOR, the NEUSTRA SIGNORA DE SOLEDAD, and three unnamed vessels were lost at various points on the Carolina coast, ranging from Topsail Island, to Ocracoke, Hatteras, and New Currituck Inlet.