Masters of the ocean History of the Basques

blacksmith dressed in historic attire @ ironwork re-enactment in legazpi



harbour of bayonne in 1755, @ height of trade within guipuzcoan company of caracas

the basques (or biscaynes), proper biscayans, gipuzkoans , lapurdians, thrived on whale hunting, shipbuilding, iron exportation england, trade northern europe , america during 16th century, @ time basques became masters not of whaling, atlantic ocean. however, king philip ii of spain s failed armada invencible endeavour in 1588, largely relying on heavy whaling , trade galleons confiscated reluctant basques, proved disastrous. spanish defeat triggered immediate collapse of basque supremacy on oceans , rise of english hegemony. whaling declined, privateering soared.

many basques found on castilian-spanish empire opportunity promote social position , venture america make living , amass little fortune spurred foundation of present-day baserris. basques serving under spanish flag became renowned sailors, , many of them among first europeans reach america. example, christopher columbus first expedition new world partially manned basques, santa maria vessel made in basque shipyards , owner, juan de la cosa, may have been basque.

other seamen became renowned privateers french , spanish kings alike, namely joanes suhigaraitxipi bayonne (17th century), or Étienne pellot (hendaye), last privateer (early 19th century). end of 16th century, basques conspicuously present in america, notably chile, or potosí. in latter, hear went on cluster around national confederacy engaging in war against one, vicuñas, formed melting pot of spanish colonists , native americans (1620-1625).