|
Description:
|
In 1587 , an ambitious colonial bureaucrat in Mexico City published a handbook
titled Instrucción náutica . Although navigational books were common throughout the
16th century , the Instrucción náutica was the first printed volume that included an
extensive discussion of ship construction and design , and its publication was thus a
significant event in the history of early modern nautical technology . While the work is
frequently cited in discussions of 16th -century Spanish ship construction and seafaring ,
little in -depth analysis of the text has been undertaken to verify its accuracy . In order to
understand the significance of the book , a critical evaluation was undertaken of its
context and content and of the motivations and background of its author .
Analysis of documents written by , about , and to Diego García de Palacio reveals
that he held positions of academic , religious , and political power in New Spain , that his
motives for publishing the book were complex , and that he consulted a range of
disparate sources . Significantly , archival correspondence suggests that García de
Palacio was an observer and administrator of navigation and ship construction , rather
than an expert practitioner . Nonetheless , comparison of the technical content of the book with other sources
of information for 16th -century ships and seafaring , including contemporary treatises ,
iconography , and archaeological materials confirms the overall accuracy of the text . The
navigational materials included in the Instrucción náutica reflect information adapted
from existing texts , providing a solid overview of the most common techniques of
navigation in use at the time . While useful , García de Palacio’s discussion of ship
design was clearly intended for a non -specialist audience . Perhaps the most original
technical contributions are his descriptions of the rigging of Spanish ships . The brief
discussion of naval strategy is historically significant due to its juxtaposition between the
last of the great naval battles fought primarily with boarding tactics , and the movement
toward increasing reliance on the broadside .
By comparing García de Palacio’s text to other sources of information , this study
has confirmed the reputation of the Instrucción náutica as one of the most
comprehensive and accurate written descriptions of 16th -century Spanish seafaring
practices . |