In July of 1641 a large Spanish treasure galleon set sail from Vera Cruz with the Fleet of
Nuestra Senora de la Pura y Limpia. The Concepcion (Our lady of the Immaculate
Conception) was Almiranta of the fleet, flying the flag of Admiral Don Juan de
Villavicencio, second in command. After delays in Havana, the fleet proceeded through
the Florida Straits. It was late September now, well into the hurricane season.
At the northern end of the straits a violent storm struck, scattering the ships and severely
damaging the Concepcion. Abandoned by the Captain General, who sailed on toward
Spain, the Admiral gave orders to steer southeast to Puerto Rico for repairs in the
shipyard there. During the voyage, through the blundering of the pilots, the great ship
was wrecked on a remote, wind-swept, ocean reef. Many lives and all the treasure
aboard were lost.
That tragedy has bequeathed to our age one of the richest historical treasures taken
from the sea. The wreck is especially important to the history of our country since it is
one of the best treasure ships ever discovered that has direct connections to our colonial
period.