Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 1: St. Louis

On October 1625, 10, after a violent storm, the surging waves on the sea gradually subsided, leaving only ripples shimmering with golden light in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Dark clouds gradually dispersed across the azure sky, revealing a ray of light, as if God had slashed the heavy darkness with a sharp sword, allowing the light of life to shine through. Seagulls circled low in the sky, their cheerful cries announcing the end of the storm, their silhouettes drawing graceful arcs across the sky, as if they were dancing a triumphant dance.

Looking at the vast blue sea, the sailors on the "St. Louis" were still in shock, but they had to work nervously again amid the kicking and shouting of the captain and the boatswain, repairing the sails, ropes, and planks damaged by the storm.

They were exhausted, and their eyes showed a sense of relief at having survived the disaster.

On the deck, accumulated water flowed quietly between the gaps between the planks. Several sailors bent over, holding large rags in their hands, and washed the wooden boards.

Looking out, the vast sea waves showed that the companions who had been traveling with them yesterday had disappeared without a trace. It was unknown whether they had been blown away by the storm or unfortunately swept to the bottom of the sea by the huge waves.

The salty sea breeze blew away the musty air on the people and brought a touch of freshness and hope to all the sailors. The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the sea surface a golden red, announcing the end of the day and foreshadowing a new beginning.

At this moment, the sea returned to its former calm and magnificence. The sea and sky merged into one color, and the sea breeze and waves intertwined to create nature's most beautiful symphony. Some sailors subconsciously stopped their work and looked toward the horizon, their hearts filled with awe and gratitude for God's favor.

The vast ocean is generous and ruthless. Everyone knows that no matter how violent the storm is, the ocean will always be their home and their final destination.

"Land discovered! ...A large landmass has been discovered in the southeast!"

The lookout on the mast suddenly shouted loudly, with a hint of surprise and expectation in his voice.

At this time, the ships damaged by the storm needed to dock and rest.

Two secondary masts were broken, one mainsail was torn to pieces, several secondary sails were also in tatters, and the stern and bow were damaged to varying degrees.

What's worse, the surging waves have created several cracks in the bottom cabin below the waterline. More than a dozen sailors are frantically draining water to prevent the ship from capsizing due to severe leakage.

If the ship is not repaired quickly, who knows how long it can last!

"Oh, thanks to the mercy of God, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief!" Captain Juan Gómez Goyle of the St. Louis put away his monocular with a look of relief on his face. He then turned to the helmsman and shouted, "...Turn left, heading southeast by east."

"...Victor, can you calculate our current location?"

"Yes, my captain." Navigator Victor responded loudly in the cabin at the bow.

"Havi, keep an eye on the bottom hold. I don't want our ship to sink in the sea before reaching land!"

"As you command, my captain," said the boatswain Harvey as he walked down to the cabin. "Don't worry, if the hole in the bottom of the ship is too big, I will block myself inside and absolutely ensure that the St. Louis can reach the land safely!"

"Okay, my children, let's work harder now and get closer to that piece of land as quickly as possible," Captain Goyle shouted to the sailors on deck. "Maybe we can find a few indigenous camps on that land. ... Then, everyone can have a few days of happy rest!"

The sailors felt warmed in their hearts when they heard the captain's encouraging words.

The months-long voyage has stretched everyone's nerves to the extreme. The endless sea, the surging waves, the raging storms, the unbearable loneliness, and the constant injuries and deaths have made the sailors urgently need a thorough emotional release.

Women, or killing.

Or perhaps, both.

The "St. Louis" is a famous Manila galleon, and the Kuroshio Current route it passed through is also a famous trade route - the Manila galleon trade has been exclusively enjoyed by the Spanish for more than eighty years.

Needless to say, this was not a good route for all merchant ships and sailors, and the entire voyage was fraught with danger. Manila galleons would set sail from Manila around June each year, first riding the southwest monsoon that prevailed in summer and autumn northward—a period often characterized by severe weather such as typhoons, with a high rate of shipwrecks. Setting sail at this time was tantamount to courting death. Following the southwesterly winds to approximately 42 degrees north latitude, the ships would catch a weak westerly wind east of Ezo (present-day Hokkaido). They would then sail eastward, following this westerly wind and the Kuroshio Current, finally turning south about 300-400 kilometers from the North American continent, following the sudden northwesterly winds and the North Pacific Current to their final destination, Acapulco.

Spanish merchants began to take this route in 1565, making a round trip once every two years or twice every three years. While they made huge profits, the shipwreck rate was also alarmingly high.

First of all, the journey from Manila to Ezo and the sea east of the Kuril Islands will often encounter bad weather. If you are unlucky, the ship may sink first. If the first voyage is delayed due to various reasons and the time of arrival at the waters east of the Kuril Islands is delayed, then they will have to cross the Pacific Ocean in late autumn and early winter, which is undoubtedly a life-threatening situation.

You should know that the North Pacific (especially the waters around the Aleutian Islands) becomes extremely violent from October every year, with terrifying winds, huge waves, and violent storms. Sailing in such sea conditions is extremely dangerous unless you have a deep connection with Mazu and the protection of various sea gods.

In fact, if you think about when Chuichi Nagumo led the fleet to attack Pearl Harbor, you will understand. The latitude they were sailing at at that time was not as high as that of the Manila Galleon, and it was still steam-powered. The weather was already extremely bad, with strong winds and heavy rains completely covering the route. You can imagine how helpless and frightened a small-tonnage sailing ship would be when sailing in an even more violent sea.

In fact, if you really count, the only month that is truly suitable for sailing across the North Pacific is the one between summer and autumn - of course, this is only relative. It is very normal to encounter bad weather during this month. It all depends on your luck.

Therefore, the Spaniards generally try to reach the waters north of 42 degrees north latitude before September and then cross the Pacific Ocean. When October comes, the Siberian High Pressure and the Aleutian Low Pressure control this area, and the north wind begins to cover the sea. The Spaniards must try their best to quickly move south at the beginning of the sudden change in weather in October to escape the increasingly dangerous North Pacific Ocean and finally arrive in Acapulco smoothly.

Therefore, this route is truly a death route. Any accident during the voyage will cause the sailors to die at sea. Everyone knows how low the possibility of no accidents during the voyage is. We should admire these brave Spanish navigators.

Unfortunately, the "St. Louis" and its other two companions did not escape the dangerous North Pacific waters in time before October. After delaying for more than ten days, they encountered a huge storm near 43 degrees north latitude and were almost overturned in the sea. It was also completely separated from its companions and swept by the storm to an unknown sea.

"Captain, we are now approximately three hundred leagues (1542 league is about 1 meters) north of Santiago Bay (the Spaniards arrived at Santiago Bay in 5557 and went north to at least São Miguel Island)." As Captain Goyle held up a monocular and carefully observed the approaching land coast, the navigator Victor came behind him to report the approximate position of the ship.

"Oh, God." Captain Goyle raised his eyebrows. "If your calculations are correct, then it means we have discovered a new world. ... I just don't know if it's an island or part of the American continent."

At this time, the "St. Louis" had entered a bay and was slowly moving along the northeast coastline. Everyone could see the lush forests on the land and the magnificent capes that flashed occasionally with their naked eyes.

There is no doubt that this is a wild land, standing here quietly, perhaps for thousands or even tens of thousands of years, and no outsiders have ever set foot in it.

Well, to be precise, no one from the civilized world has ever come here.

"Captain, since we discovered this place, you have the right to name it yourself when you draw it and add it to the map." Navigator Victor flattered the captain without showing it.

"Haha..." Captain Goyle smiled and did not respond.

All the lands, islands, and seas discovered in the New World belong to His Majesty the King, and to our Kingdom of Spain.

"Captain, we've spotted a small boat!" the lookout on the mast shouted with immense joy. "Oh, God! It's spotted us. ... It's fleeing towards the shore!"

Upon hearing this, Captain Goyle immediately raised the monocular telescope again and looked towards the coast.

A small canoe!
Faced with the approaching "St. Louis", the small canoe obviously felt a sense of threat. The two natives on the boat were paddling quickly towards the coast.

Oh, how kind God is to us!

When the "St. Louis" was in danger, not only was a piece of land discovered, but there were also people on this land.

This means that they can get some supplies here, which is good news for a ship that has just suffered a huge storm.

"My children, let us rush over!" Captain Goyle shouted loudly: "Capture that coast, capture the natives there, and rob them of everything! ... God will be with us!"

(End of this chapter)