Comments on: When Acapulco was the center of the world

By: Jorge of the castle

Jorge of the castle — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 18:17:05 +0000

In reply to djnolan Edmonton.

I agree wholeheartedly djnolan. I am an historian and I did not know this history. Bob Pateman has contacted me and expressed his wishes that the editorial mistakes did not stop me from enjoying the history.

By: djnolan Edmonton

djnolan Edmonton — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 23:54:13 +0000

In reply to Jorge of the castle.

Haha, good point Jorge. I noticed a few words out of place.

I really enjoyed the article and my imagination was riveted by the adventure and danger of those old days, compare to driving to the office or factory today.

By: Darren Flood

Darren Flood — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 21:56:10 +0000

Great article. There are probably whole books written about this subject but you put the key points in a 10 min read. Thank you.

By: Teresa Shepro

Teresa Shepro — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 19:11:27 +0000

Bob, just want to reiterate how much I appreciated your time and research in preparing this interesting article.

By: Teresa Shepro

Teresa Shepro — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 19:00:58 +0000

Thank you Bob for this article. I read quite a bit about this during Covid. It is especially interesting to read how the navigators figured out the return journey, relying on catching the trade winds going northeast and then sailing down the coast of what is now California to Acapulco. I have seem a replica of a Nao in Spain. The Guadalquivir River used to flow all the way to Sevilla, and the smaller galleon ships from Veracruz would unload their precious cargo in Sevilla.
Of interest also is the emergence of the Spanish Real, or “Spanish Dollar”, which was the coin of the realm—-of the world in fact.

The reales were minted in Mexico City and some in Peru using Mexican silver. They could be cut into eight pieces, and thus became known as “pieces of eight”. Some of us older folks may remember that phrase from old Errol Flynn movies featuring pirates!

By: vulturelake@gmail.com

vulturelake@gmail.com — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 18:32:06 +0000

A most fascinating article. And a great reminder how quickly empires come and go. The US with its bare 250 year history and using vast sums of debt to finance their military hegemony would do well to read more history. But sadly imo MOTUS .. Moron Of The US .. seems unable to learn from or in fact read history.

Given China is the second largest holder of US debt and has 5000 years of history the US hegemony appears to be near on its last legs. And remember the Chinese play GO while MOTUS struggles with Chinese Checkers.

By: Richard Seager

Richard Seager — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:21:37 +0000

Great article. Would love to see more of this kind of thing in Mexico Daily News

By: Jorge of the castle

Jorge of the castle — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 17:38:08 +0000

Thank you Bob for this excellent article sharing the history of Acapulco, Manila and the galleon trade. Your story created images of what the acitivty would have been like in the harbor. As much as I enjoyed the history that you reported, I think that AI or spell check created some bad grammar. Here are some examples, “Marriages and wars expanded Spain’s processions in Europe”. “For 1,600 years, Europeans and desiring Asian goods could only purchase commodities”, “and the Spanish colony in the Philippines remained improvised, isolated”, “God willing, this year’s galleon would be spotted by small ships” Since you are an editor, I hope that you don’t mind my criticism.

By: Bob Pateman

Bob Pateman — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 05:42:10 +0000

In reply to Ralf Roldan.

A good point – the tropical wood was considered better. The British navy preferred to build warships in India for the same reason. Tropical wood did not splinter so badly if hit by a cannonball. Thank you for the comment.

By: bambi3325@aol.com

bambi3325@aol.com — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 02:25:51 +0000

I suggest a visit to the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City where there are exhibits of Asian artifacts showing the artistic influence on Mexican products such as ceramics and textiles etc. Very worthwhile and interesting displays.