The Loss of the Flagship of the Armada Del Mar Del Sur (1654) and Related Aspects of Viceregal Administration

On the 18th October 1654 the squadron usually referred to as the Armada del Mar del Sur left Callao bound for Panama, carrying Crown and private bullion. It comprised, as capitana, the Jesús María de la Limpia Concepción of about 1150 tons and built at Guayaquil between 1641 and 1644, as almiranta, an ex-merchantman of 400 tons the San Francisco Solano, and a chinchorro whose task was to sail a little ahead seeking news of possible interlopers en route, assessing sailing conditions and watching out for land. As was usual practice, another chinchorro had previously been dispatched to warn the President of Panama of the impending departure of the squadron in order that he could ensure that the galeones would be waiting at Portobelo to take aboard the silver and other goods. The role and actions of these two chinchorros was to become a subject of considerable debate during the next few months.