Spanish Galleon

The armed cargo ship that defined the Age of Exploration/Historical

The Spanish galleon was the principal vessel of Spain's treasure fleets from the 16th through 18th centuries. A typical Manila galleon or Atlantic treasure galleon measured about 40-50 m in length, 10-15 m in beam, and displaced around 500-1,500 tonnes. These ships carried gold, silver, spices, and silk between the Americas, Spain, and the Philippines. They were armed with 20-40 cannons and crewed by 200-400 men. The galleon's design combined cargo capacity with enough armament to discourage all but the most determined pirates.