“Being a brief description of a Spanish galleon during the Spanish Armada of 1588”
By: Clayton Rakes
By: Clayton Rakes
After acquiring Artesania Latina’s San Francisco kit and reading the brief description of this galleon on the box, I quickly developed an interest in both Spanish galleons and the Armada of 1588. Over the next couple of weeks I searched the internet in vain for information on the San Francisco. I was surprised to find virtually no information on this particular galleon, or others that participated in the Armada.
After conducting some research and reading several books (see the bibliography at the end of this article) I was able to accumulate details about this ship’s relatively brief existence. It is a compelling story that you may find interesting whether or not you plan to build this model or are interested in maritime history.
The Spanish Armada of 1588 (also known at the ‘Invincible Fleet’ or the ‘Enterprise of England’), was a fleet of over 100 ships and vessils sent out by King Phillip II to invade England. Due to multiple opposing factors such as the type of weponry and tactics used by each side and extreme weather conditions the invasion fleet failed and only about 70 ships returned to Spain.The San Francisco was an active participant in this fleet, and her history is an intersting one. What follows is what I have been able to piece together from English language publications. It is no surprise that there are many publications in Spanish on this same topic; yet, I was not able to procuce a reliable translation from any of them. The galleon San Francisco began her existence as the Florencia, in fact some texts refer to her by that name for her entire career. The Florencia belonged to the Duke of Tuscany, who was using her to take advantage of the spice trade that was disrupted in 1585 by the siege of Antwerp. After arriving in Lisbon in 1586 the Florencia was held by Spanish authorities, and eventually impounded in mid-1587. While being held in Lisbon many captains and admirals visited the Florencia, some of who commented on her 52 “brass” guns and admired how well she was constructed. After being requisitioned, the Florencia was re-named San Francisco (or San Francesco) and added to Duke of Medina-Sidonia’s Squadron of Portugal.
The type of guns the San Francisco most likely carried is an interesting point. During the late sixteenth century naval armament production included the use of materials such as cast iron, brass, bronze, and wrought iron. Unlike many other European countries, Spain was still using predominately wrought iron guns on its ships. These were made of iron rods or strips that were held together with iron bands. If the San Francisco had brass (or bronze) guns it would have been quite modern by Spain’s standards and it would have been thanks to the investment of the Duke of Tuscany. In addition to the guns, the carriages that were likely used are of interest. A typical period British ship would have been using a four-wheeled carriage. This is because by the end of the 16th century many countries, such as England, were beginning to move away from boarding tactics to a focus on standing off and battering the enemy. Spain, which still considered using a broadside of heavy gunnery as a brief and preliminary action prior to boarding, was still using two wheeled carriages. These looked mildly similar to contemporary field artillery pieces and were difficult to aim and reload on a ship. But it is possible that if the Duke of Tuscany had invested in modern guns for the Florencia, he would have also insisted on four-wheeled carriages. 
Most sources note that the San Francisco carried 52 guns, this number would have included all armament from swivel guns to the largest cannon. Whatever type of guns the San Francisco originally carried, by the time she took part in the Armada 1588 she may not have possessed all of her original armament. This is because the Armada was so short of guns that it was ordered that they were to be taken from well-appointed vessels and redistributed throughout the Armada.During her participation in the Armada, the San Francisco was sailed by Captain Bartoli, who also sailed her for the Duke of Tuscany before the Spanish impounded her. The San Francisco was commanded by Captain Gaspar da Sousa. Unlike English ships of the period, Spanish ships were under the control of the commander of the soldiers – not the mariner captain. As mentioned, the San Francisco sailed as part of the Squadron of Portugal.
Many resources agree that the San Francisco was one of the best, if not the best, constructed and armed galleon in the Spanish Armada of 1588. She is known to have taken an active role in many of the Armada battles, and performed notably well. After the Armada’s return both Captain Gaspar da Sousa and Medina-Sidonia commented on how well and often the San Francisco participated in the fighting. One resource points out that Medina-Sidonia wrote a letter to the Duke of Tuscany commending the San Francisco and how well she performed.
Following the failure of the Armada, the San Francisco returned to Santander (Spain), with nine other ships including the flagship. Unfortunately, the San Francisco was so damaged that she was salvaged for guns and lumber, then left to rot on the shore. Her Captain Bartoli died the following day, presumably from wounds acquired during action against the English.Some sources (treasure ship books usually) claim that the San Francisco (or sometimes the Florencia) sank in Tobermory Bay on the Isle of Mull, Scotland where she was sheltering from the storm that destroyed so many ships of the Armada. Some claim she sunk as a result of the magazine being fired by raiders looking for pay chests or by locals mad at the Spaniards for refusing to pay for food and water that they had taken. An Armada ship did sink in Tobermory Bay, but it was more likely the San Juan de Sicilia. The San Juan de Sicilia was formerly the Brod Martolosi, a merchantman embargoed by the Spanish in 1586.
Maritime history would not be the same without the excitement and mystery that surrounds the galleon. Many countries produced galleons, but Spanish galleons tend to be singled out and romanticized in both fact and fiction. The San Francisco is just one window into this fascinating part of our shared history; but it is an excellent example of this unique ship.
Bibliography:
Primary References Used:
- State Papers Relating to the Defeat of the Spanish Armada, 1588, by: John Knox Laughton(ed)
- The Confident Hope of A Miracle, 2005, by: Neil Hanson
- The Armada, 1959, by: Garrett Mattingly
- Papers Relating to the Navy During the Spanish War, 1897, by: Julian S. Corbett (ed)
- Armada Guns, 1962, by: Michael Lewis
- The Spanish Story of the Armada, 1899, by: James Anthony Froude
- Spanish Galleon 1530-1690, 2004, by: Angus Konstam and Tony Bryan
- The Armada Campaign 1588: The Great Enterprise Against England, 2001, by: Angus Konstam
- Artillery Through the Ages, 1949, by: Albert C. Mancucy
- A History of Firearms, 1955, by: W. Y. Carman
Pictures
1. "English Ships and the Spanish Armada August 1588" Unknown artist
2. Typical Spanish naval gun of the time. Spanish Galleon 1530-1690, Konstam
3. Sixteenth-century engraving of a Spanish galleon by Albrecht Dürer.
4. "Defeat of the Spanish Armada 8 August 1588" by Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg 1796
