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Galleon San Francisco (aka Florencia)“Being a brief description of a Spanish galleon during the
Spanish Armada of 1588” 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.
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.
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.
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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 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.
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.
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.