The galleon (Spanish: galeón, French: galion) was a type of sailing ship used for both cargo carrying and as a warship. Galleons dominated the seas in the second half of the 16th century, and with their lower superstructures, they were much more manoeuvrable and seaworthy than previous ship types like the carrack.
More about: GalleonDefinition
Timeline
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c. 1530The first Spanish galleons come into operation.
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1565 - 1815The Manila galleons each year take eastern trade goods from Manila to Acapulco (and return with American silver).
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1577 - 1580Francis Drake circumnavigates the world in his ship the Golden Hind.
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Jul 1588 - Aug 1588The Spanish Armada of Philip II of Spain is defeated in its attempt to invade England.
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9 Sep 1591 - 10 Sep 1591Richard Grenville commands the galleon Revenge in a heroic but losing battle against a large Spanish fleet in the Azores.
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1 Jan 1710The English privateer Woodes Rogers captures the Manila galleon Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Disengaño.
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1743The Manila galleon Covadonga is captured by a Brtiish naval fleet near Manila.
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1762A British fleet commanded by Admiral Cornish captures the Spanish Manila galleon Santísima Trinidad.
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1815The last Manila galleon, the San Fernando, arrives in Acapulco.
