For centuries, Spanish galleons plied their way between Manila and Acapulco, the one trading route between Spain’s colonies in Asia and the Americas. Their twice-yearly Pacific crossings brought silver west from Mexico and silks and spices east from the Philippines. These valuable ships were a prime target for Spain’s enemies but proved elusive in thousands of miles of open ocean. Only four times in over 250 years did a Spanish galleon fall into enemy hands. One of the lucky ships to capture one was helmed by British Commodore George Anson, in 1743.
