Who traveled on board?
Ships going to la Florida carried all types of craftspeople and specialists on board, as can be observed in the passenger list from Pedro Menéndez de Avilés’ 1565 expedition to Florida: Masons, Tailors, Blacksmiths, Millers, Silversmiths, Laborers, Master beer brewer, bookmaker... These individuals were recruited to meet the needs of a new colony.
Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla.
Menéndez Expedition, Passengers' Occupations (1565).
Sailors did the most skilled work
Operating the tiller of the rudder at the navigator's orders, handling the sounding line (which measured depth), managing the rigging in complicated maneuvers, and fixing and stowing stays.
Ch. Weiditz, 1529.
Biblioteca Provincial, Sevilla.
Gunners.
Gunners were experienced sailors who also knew how to operate cannons. They had to manufacture and refine gunpowder, fill grenades, load cannons, take aim, etc.
Ch. Weiditz, 1529.
Biblioteca Provincial, Sevilla.
Boatswains.
Carried out the orders of the navigator and first mate. They managed cargo storage and on-board maneuvers, ordered repairs and monitored ship mechanisms to ensure they were working properly.
Ch. Weiditz, 1529.
Biblioteca Provincial, Sevilla.
Shipmasters.
These were the key figures in forming the crew, preparing the ships and equipping them with supplies, food and weapons.
Ch. Weiditz, 1529.
Biblioteca Provincial, Sevilla.
Admirals and generals
These were the highest commanders on the war galleons, entrusted with protecting commercial traffic. From 1568 onwards, they became the highest authorities in the entire fleet.
Ch. Weiditz, 1529.