"A Plan of the Harbour of Acapulco [on sheet with] A Plan of the Bay of Manila", Anson, George

This sheet contains two small charts depicting Acapulco Harbor and Manila Bay. These were the endpoints for the Spanish Manila Galleons, linking New Spain and its mineral wealth with the spice trade of the East Indies. The plan of Acapulco includes soundings in the waters with a key locating 14 important sites including Fort San Diego, battery, watering place, and look out houses. The somewhat larger plan of Manila features anchorages and soundings in the bay, with Manila located on an island in the bay. Above the two charts is "A View of 2 of the Ladrone Islands" (Mariana Islands).

In 1740 Anson set sail in command of a squadron sent to attack Spanish possessions and interests in South America. The expedition was ill-equipped and failed to carry out its original ambitious mission. By June 1741, when Anson reached Juan Fernandes, his force had been reduced to only three of the original six ships, while the strength of his crews had fallen from 961 to 335. After recuperating on the island, he collected the remaining survivors on his flagship, the Centurion, and set sail in search of one of the richly laden galleons that conducted the trade between Mexico and the Philippines. The indomitable perseverance he had shown during one of the most arduous voyages in the history of sea adventure gained the reward of the capture of an immensely rich prize, the Nuestra Senora de Cabadonga, which he encountered off Cape Espiritu Santo on June 20, 1743.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) G.ANS-1a #12.1 & 12.2.

Condition: B

Issued folding with scattered foxing and some staining mostly along the top sheet edge. A 0.5" edge tear at left and a short centerfold separation at bottom have been repaired on verso with non-archival materials. Trimmed to the neatline at top.