The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 19 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 306 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 19 of 55.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 19 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 306 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 19 of 55.
but others also.  The commanders were as follows:  of the galleon “San Juan Bautista,” Admiral Pedro de Heredia; of the galleon “San Miguel,” Admiral Rodrigo de Vilastigui; of “San Felipe,” Captain Sebastian de Madrid; of “Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe,” Captain Juan Bautista de Molina; of “San Lorenco,” Captain Azevedo; and command of the galleon “San Marcos”—­which was called the almiranta, as it had been with Don Juan de Silva in the expedition which he made to Malaca—­was given to Don Juan de la Vega, son of Doctor Vega, auditor of the royal Audiencia.  There were many disputes over his appointment as admiral, for many of the commanders to whom it was due claimed it, especially Don Diego Quinones, who had been brought from Oton for that purpose, although he had not recovered from his musket-wound; also Hernando Munoz de Aramburo (who had come as admiral of the caravels), and Francisco de la Serna—­who had gone as commander of the ships, and at the restoration of the country was a very great soldier, who, with twenty gentlemen, served in that expedition at his own cost.  Also for certain reasons, which I can not well recount, those captains were at odds, a mistake that caused much regret later, when there was no remedy.  It is certain that no one would have escaped who would carry news of the enemy.  Yet, so that it might not appear that they were shunning the opportunity, they offered their persons.  Aramburu went as associate of the commander, being skilful in war.  Don Diego was given a galley and the title of quatralvo. [43] Don Alonso Enriquez took another galley, with the title of commander [general]; Don Pedro de Almazan, another.  The galleon “Salvador” was flagship, the best and largest galleon ever seen in the sea.  It carried fifty large pieces of artillery, many of them of twenty-five and thirty libras’ caliber, but most of them of eighteen.  The fleet left port on the eighth of April, in pursuit of the enemy.  That afternoon, which was Saturday, it anchored at the mouth of the bay in order to ascertain the location of the enemy.  They had heard already that the enemy had plundered many Chinese and had filled their ships with great riches.  It was ascertained from a spy, who was the one who sent advices of what the enemy was doing, that two ships were six leguas from there, and the rest at Playa Honda.  That report was false, and was the reason why the most fortunate victory that could be desired was not obtained without bloodshed, and without any one escaping, as will be seen in this relation.  On receiving this news the commander began to trim his sails, in order to reach the two ships by dawn.  But finding nothing, he passed on to Playa Honda, where he arrived late, more than two hours after the sun had risen.  Had the spy not deceived them, they would have reached the four of the enemy’s ships at dawn, and the commander with most of his men could have slept on shore, entertaining guests with the booty that had fallen into his hands.  But when they sighted
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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 19 of 55 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.