El Glorioso - I'm sorry, our treasure is in another castle!

Today we look at the brief life and epic final voyage of the 70-gun ship of the line Glorioso, full time warship, part-time treasure ship, as it fought its way across the Atlantic to deliver its cargo in a series of epic battles.
Sources:
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/8416200157
www.amazon.co.uk/Famous-Priva...
dawlishchronicles.com/the-roy...
augustoferrerdalmau.com/inici...
Naval History books, use code 'DRACH' for 25% off - www.usni.org/press/books?f%5B...
Free naval photos and channel posters - www.drachinifel.co.uk
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'Legionnaire' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@themanformerlyknownascomme777]

it is often held that in order to upgrade the Iowas (or Montanas) to 18 inch guns they would need to go from triple turrets to twins, however, the Tillman designs were able to fit a triple 18 (or 6-gun 16 inch turrets) on the same beam of 108ft (33m), why were the 1940s Americans less confident that they could do the same as their predecessors planned to?

[@alexcheng1560]

During the 17th century, the Dutch/VOC navy employed a large number of Yachts and Pinnaces. Exactly what do these names mean? Were they referring to ship classes or types of rigging?

[@Johndoe-jd]

You keep mentioning the time period of the channel. What time period is that and why?

[@atypicalprogrammer5777]

How can I argue with someone who thinks Operation Sea-Lion would have worked? This is usually based on a claim, that Norway and Crete prove that the Royal Navy and RAF can not stop a surprise naval or air invasion and that if only Germany had invaded in September 1940 or earlier (without air-superiority) the UK would have been overrun and surrendered in a matter of weeks. I do not believe that, but what good short arguments can I use to argue with someone, who might not be inclined to watch your "Royal Navy response to Plan Z" video or similar.

[@bkjeong4302]

Just how badly did Spanish shipbuilding damage the Latin American old-growth forests (especially in comparison to agriculture)?

[@bobfry5267]

The value of the wood used to make the ship would now exceed the value of anything that she could possibly carry. You can obtain Cuban mahogany only as old furniture parts at considerable expense. In the steam age it was used to fire boilers.

[@therealuncleowen2588]

This is a crying shame on several counts.

[@c1ph3rpunk]

I picked up a few hundred board feet of it, 8/4 and about 12” wide, back in the 80’s before it went on the strict CITES list. That, and my collection of genuine rosewood types (mainly cocobolo) are worth enough to be insured and in the will.

[@86PaciFist86]

Except printer-ink 😂

[@stevesamuel263]

The wood is worth more than the approx 5 billion in cargo she is carrying?

[@johnmoore8599]

Whoever the guy was who stripped the ship of its valuable wood made a hefty profit it seems. It's a shame they stripped her rather than fixed her considering she gave far better than she ever got.

[@Isteak80]

It's nice to see a Spanish ship hold its own in spectacular fashion since history hasn't usually been kind to them.

[@fedecano7362]

Spain had a huge empire for a long time. You cant acquire or sustain such a thing without winning battles, on land and sea. English centric history channels will never make justice to that, and sadly there are not that many decent channels with Spanish creators...so of course you are gonna hear more about the disastrous Armada or the Trafalgar Battle...

[@downtownbrown50]

​@@fedecano7362well said!

[@fedecano7362]

@@downtownbrown50 it's always a bad day when a Catalan has to come to the aid of Spanish honour but that's just the reality. It's like people ( english centric channels and their viewers anyway ) will argue that the French Army acts cowardly. Based on absolutelly no facts other than their performance on WW2, without taking into consideration the 1000+ years history of the country..anyway rant over

[@FromMyBrain]

Honestly I only go in for Steel era.... your comment convinced me to hang in there.

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

​@@fedecano7362Even in 1940 the French fought bravely. They held off the German army for days so the evacuation at Dunkirk could take place. Anyone who says the French acted cowardly simply doesn't know history. I'm English by the way.

[@jlvfr]

Damages or destroys enough ships to be considered a fleet-killer, makes the enemy run all over an ocean to find it, and then trolls the enemy by _not_ having anything worth looting. Truly a glorious ship.

[@glenchapman3899]

And what a great basis for a film. I have English heritage and in the end even I was rooting the Spanish ship lol

[@thomasbaker6563]

​@@glenchapman3899Thought she's a fine ship, she's still a Spaniard and therefore condemned to be the villain. Look at Santa Anna's rep in America.

[@smatthewson2613]

"Captain Cruickshanks, who unfortunately was not a large orange cat in a hat." Thank you, exactly the sort of Drach-ism I (and my cats, Dular Bombagar and Cherenkova Skybolt), appreciate.

[@wierdalien1]

Twas a beauty

[@hazchemel]

@@wierdalien1 haha. my cat Graffen Puss von Mwow Mwow.

[@masteronone2079]

It's interesting how popular culture seeps into your perception. I'm basically an alien 👽, I haven't watched (deliberatly) TV or a movie in, probably, 30 years. Never seen a Star Wars movie, the Sound of Music, watched any Kardsian show or read or seen Harry Potter. Yet, somehow I have a fair working knowledge of the Dramatis Personae of each of these franchises along with many more. I can't say why or how but I immediately recognised the Cruickshanks in question, maybe the 9/10ths of my brain I don't use isn't full of penguins after all.

[@tullyontherocks]

I must agree as does Papa Legba, aka Dr. Evil's cat, or Soviet Boomer lately due to corpulence and color and general attitude.

[@Pardinas82]

FYI, "Pedrero" or stone thrower is the spanish designation for swivel gun at the time. Independently of the material of the shot used.

[@josecoronadonieto6911]

Now, ¿What's a swivel gun?

[@alisilcox6036]

​@@josecoronadonieto6911much smaller cannon fixed to the hull on a rotating hinge for aiming.

[@josecoronadonieto6911]

@@alisilcox6036 i now know thanks.

[@lancepharker]

When you see the guy in charge of the magazine running in a panic for the gunwales, follow.

[@nunyabidness674]

The activity which has been emblazoned on Bomb Squad T-Shirts ever since lol "If you see me running, try to catch up!"

[@bkjeong4302]

The original Bismarck chase, except with a far more badass target for her time.

[@obsidianjane4413]

And in this case the "bad guy" actually won, mostly.

[@downtownbrown50]

Although the Bismark was rather badass as well! 😊

[@wierdalien1]

​@@downtownbrown50eh

[@merafirewing6591]

​@@obsidianjane4413 well at least the British settled for capturing the ship.

[@roadrunner6224]

Would you consider making a small compass rose, which you could put in the pictures of the miniatures to better illustrate the directions you are talking about?

[@Zorglub1966]

And the direction of the wind (if known).

[@stanleyramsrud5204]

Agreed, what a great idea!

[@Zorglub1966]

EDIT : For those who, like me, don't quite understand the moves imposed by wind and rigging conditions

[@fabianzimmermann5495]

HMS Dartmouth: literally explodes One of its few survivors that was literally thrown into the ocean after being rescued: "Sir, you must excuse the unfitness of my dress to come aboard a strange ship. But really I left my own in such a hurry that I had no time to stay for a change." Nothing like a classic British understatement to lighten the mood after a horrific disaster.

[@user-jo3gj1jx3e]

He was actually an Irishman; Lieutenant Christopher O'Brien.

[@gafeleon9032]

The stuff glory is made of, a well build, well led, well crewed ship with enough bad luck to get into a lot of trouble but enough good luck to get out of it

[@amaterasufrl1138]

You resume the fate of spain on all his fates

[@Janihavik]

a full on movie MUST be made of the glorioso's escapades, the story is amazing!

[@Archangelm127]

I concur

[@stnylan]

Glorioso and Revenge - soul-mates. I must say though, it is rather neat thinking there is probably some antique furniture out there still bearing her timbers, probably unknown and unknowable.

[@davidstange4174]

What a valiant ship and crew very worthy of her name.

[@khaelamensha3624]

An idea of videos, the shipyards of European powers during age of sail. A video was made for British ones but it may give an idea of the capacity of each nation. As always great video. Thanks!

[@abyssaljam441]

How many keepers of the plug type jobs were there?

[@DavidVT23]

Seconded! I'm a sucker for logistics/industrial capacity.

[@thomasnuyts9725]

Ask Perun😊

[@Trebor74]

Go to the historic dockyard at Chatham and look

[@abyssaljam441]

@@Trebor74 yeah, but that would only give the British ones.

[@pauloakwood9208]

Fabulous history about a ship, a captain and a crew that truly earned the name. Fun fact about Glorioso's other name: Ignacio De Loyola was the Spaniard that founded the Society of Jesus, more commonly known as the Jesuits.

[@lerougeau2399]

Isn't it a little odd and disrespectful to name a warship after a man who rejected his youthful pursuit of military glory in favour a religious mission while recovering from a war wounds? Not to mention the Spanish building a ship to enforce colonial control and naming it after the founder of an order that long opposed Spanish colonial policy, notably mass enslavement of the natives, which resulted in the Spanish government suppressing the order a couple decades later.

[@dixieslav1274]

​@@lerougeau2399You're reaching. The Spanish have a long history of naming ships after saints, like the Santa Maria that sailed with Christopher Columbus. Nobody sane thinks the US Navy naming a battleship the Colorado or Mississippi is a sign of disrespect. Moreover, St. Ignatius of Loyola was an honorable Spanish soldier who had fought the enemies of Spain in war and the spirit. What is there to disrespect?

[@tomhenry897]

Interesting The Spanish built shipyards in the new world The British shipped the wood back to England

[@amaterasufrl1138]

Yup spain its roma, british only pirates, thats why they spread the Black legend about spain

[@Ironclockwork]

It strikes me as thoroughly odd that a movie has not been made in regards to this epic tale.

[@mollybell5779]

For many months, I was amazed at the sheer volume of interesting, detailed information the Drach team was able to discover for pertinent content. Then I realized Drach was one dude with a serious passion for ships. Great educator, too. And the occasional dry, subtle humor gets me every time. Thank you, Drach, for all your work. Can't get enough.

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

Spanish navy be like: I like my wooden ships like how I like my cigars. _Cuban_

[@cartmann94]

Glorioso: Pero chico, caballero. Os digo, que no tenemos el oro ni los quesos. (Sir, we don’t have the gold and cheeses anymore) Walker: I don’t care!

[@merafirewing6591]

At this point they would settle for the ship instead.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

From my days of reading about the age of sail - I read that the Spanish and French Ships, on which more care had been spent - were actually better made than the British Ships - which were being cranked out to try and keep the RN's number's up. Thus - capturing one of these ships would end up giving the RN a pretty good ship to use themselves - and they were preferred by their crews. .

[@oiermontero2310]

Thats actually quite interesting, because ive heard many times that british sailors and especially gunners and their artillery were better. Which is true. Bit i disnt know about their ships being rushed or anything

[@crichtonbruce4329]

Dear Mr. Drach... Are you sure you are only one person? There must be the original Drach and at least 5 clones of you to produce the vast quantity and superb quality you give to us. The recent Drydock was 5 1/2 hours! This post was marvelous! Thank you Sir, thank you.

[@Archangelm127]

This is his full-time job now, so... /shrug

[@williammorgan5320]

It would have been hilarious, at the 7 min mark,, if Drach added, "...and Larry", to the end of the long list of Spanish ship names.

[@1Korlash]

*Hears of Spanish nobleman named Vega* Zorro was the captain?! As if this crew couldn't get more badass.

[@nunyabidness674]

lulz... the ship would've mutinied if that were the case... Zorro was a Mexican aristocrat fighting against the Spanish aristocracy... AKA, The people don't like what you're doing, so I'll do the same thing to you in their name, while enjoying the same benefits of position you do... Zorro was a Karen lmao

[@augustosolari7721]

I love it when you cover Spanish ships of the Age of Sail.

[@yes_head]

Drach's a happy camper anytime he gets to practice his Spanish. 😁

[@frankbodenschatz173]

Again, it is a great tale of the voyage and battles. Thanks, Drach.

[@Liberty_or_Ded]

What an absolute legend of a ship. Truly she lived by her name.

[@danboyd6609]

Excellent presentation. So nice to see the Royal Navy/Privateers (both acting as pirates) getting some of their just desserts. Didn't happen often.

[@patosentado9665]

It happened a lot of times, but the pirate versión of History IS now the most popular one

[@thomasbaker6563]

The dons just can't accept that they were never great at sea, great on land till there monarchy inbread itself into senility, and good at beating on natives, but when faced with equivalent opponents often found wanting, the Dutch and English repeatedly proved this along with the French, much to the Spanish ire.

[@IvanVT27]

@@thomasbaker6563 the "dons" repeatedly humilliated the English and other European power both at sea and on land, may I mention Blas de Lezo and the humilliating defeat of the "all powerfull" british fleet at Cartagena de Indias? Or how for quite a long time the English were so incapable of actually facing Spanish fleets at sea that they had to resort to Privateers and pirates so as to harass the Spanish ships? On regards of beating natives, lets just take a look at which countries still have a considerable amount of actual natives in them before accusing other of doing what the English, Germans and Dutch actually did wherever they went. The Spanish spilled more semen than blood in South America, the English exterminated natives and commited genocide all across North America.

[@angelcamachodelsolar]

@@thomasbaker6563 You have the typical problem of believing that the history of the world begins in the mid-18th century, when England became a great power, and believing that this was already the case before, when the truth is that it was severely defeated by the Romans, the Vikings, the Normans, the French, the Spanish, the Dutch, etc.

[@thomasbaker6563]

@@angelcamachodelsolar nah, just that the dons have always been lesser sea men, if you want Iberians who actually know how to handle a boat or ship you ask for the Portrages. The occasional win by the truly inbred Spanish nobility and ability to bully smaller populations or pre metallurgical natives hardly makes you a great sea power. Now if you had sited the fighting against the ottomans, a true contemporary peer power of their era then I'd be more inclined to give you the smallest amount of credit, then again your looking at two navy's in that case that can't deal with anything rougher in sea state than a breeze, like most Mediterranean navy's. The Mediterranean has had a few great maritime powers, the phonecians, the Carthaginians and Romans, the Athenians and the French, but the Spanish were hardly anything special compared to those. Even Columbus wasn't Spanish.

[@SirWilliamKidney]

This is my favourite kind of Drach video; a good old tale of adventure on the high seas! This is why I started watching his content in the first place. Thanks for another great video, Drach!

[@Toetalwar]

Captain de la Cerda and his crew saw so many do or die situations, and always landed on "do".

[@gyrene_asea4133]

Too right. A Commander paired with a capable ship and stalwart crew. Stuff of legends.

[@elcastorgrande]

Certainly exemplified Spanish courage and seamanship, which history often maligns.

[@Arbiter099]

Really appreciating this series of age of sail content. Thanks, Drach

[@Ratatosly]

I like the little ship models, but they really need flags, or little video game name tags, or something to make it easier to keep track of who's who.

[@75mmSaintChammondMondragon]

its impressive that Drach has relatively good spanish, its nice to hear him speak spanish every now and then 😄

[@johnnynielsen3006]

So how many ships fought to the very last bag of gunpowder, before striking their flag? This is my first encounter with such a ship. And Spanish no less. Unbelievable.

[@PsychicalTraumaPL]

Now THAT history should be made into the movie!

[@DiggingForFacts]

The sheer stupid amount of wealth those galleons carried always amazes me. For some sort of comparison: a ULCC tanker nowadays carries about 220-230 million pounds worth of crude oil. El Glorioso carried the roughly equivalent value of 25 supertankers worth of cargo in cash and commodities. Of course things work out a bit different in terms of economy, but gatdam if de la Cerda hadn't unloaded her in time, the capture would have instantly made Commodore Walker the most well-liked man at the British court.

[@merafirewing6591]

And not to mention Spain would suffer from humiliation.

[@angelcamachodelsolar]

The only one who managed to capture the convoy of the Indies Fleet (1564-1776) was the Dutch admiral Piet Hein in the battle in the bay of Matanzas in 1626 during the Eighty Years War, obtaining a loot of half a billion euros in todays money. On the other hand, there were great fiascos trying to capture such as those of Drake in the battle of San Juan de Ulúa (1568), the battle of Vila Franca do Campo (1582), the Cádiz expedition (1625) or the battle of Cartagena de Indias (1741). The Spanish West and East Indies fleets are considered among the most successful naval operations in history and, from a commercial point of view, they made possible key components of today's global economic system.

[@graulus8986]

Once again, a very compelling yarn! Thanks, Drach! May I suggest that at some time you do a rendering of Commodore Walker's - well - biography: The Voyages and Cruises of Commodore Walker. London, etc.: Cassel and Company, 1928. (The Seafare'rs Library). (my copy - first published 1760 - guess you have the same judging by you using the voulme's fontispiece depicting 'Glorioso'). I'd be excited to hear your comments!

[@420alphaomega]

Yes Drach more age of sail videos! I raise a glass to your health sir

[@celedoniojimenez-ww1tb]

Einfach atemberaubend. Es lebe hoch Spanien! Besser als irgendeines Kino oder Roman, echt heldenhaft!!!

[@skyden24195]

It's so funny that when naming off the ships of the small fleet sitting in Havannah Harbor alongside El Glorioso, I almost thought Drachinifel was just listing the names of cities in the Southwest United States. lol.

[@jillatherton4660]

Age of Sail: Splendid. 👍

[@jamesdeen3011]

These price numbers are really astounding. But what I find remarkable is how hard this ship, crew,and it's captain fought so hard to survive. I know of no other ships that have fought so tenaciously with the possible exception of the carrier Yorktown. Does anyone else know of a ship that has fought so hard and on just one voyage?

[@sebastiannelson6355]

HMS Revenge gave a good going. Drach as a video on her

[@dreamjackson5483]

Probably my favourite youtube channel overall

[@hisdadjames4876]

Probably? If there’s an even better one then please let me know. 😅

[@nyctasiaselesq]

One must appreciate lt. O'Brian answer as to his "unfitness of his dress"...

[@CorePathway]

Man, the Brits were hardly hurting for hulls in the water! Never out-gunned but always out-numbered. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@andrelim95]

The Spanish film and tv industry should take a look at this story. They've done historical tv shows before and this glorious voyage would be fine material.

[@JessWLStuart]

I LOVE the opening theme to this video! Please consider making it your new theme!

[@obsidianjane4413]

I'd heard of this battle and the ship but never a full account. Muy bien.

[@T3hderk87]

I really love the stories that come from the age of sail, thank you for uploading this one Drach!

[@chrisf4659]

Love these 40 minute 5 minute guides! Seriously, not being sarcastic.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

I don't know if there is much information on it but could you do a video on spy networks at the time and how they were able to deliver information back and in time as well.

[@OnboardG1]

Drach, you've really outdone yourself with those minis.

[@Auraez]

Strong master and commander vibes listening to this.

[@rickfrancis4182]

THAT is a MOVIE!

[@rickarmstrong4704]

Thank You Drachinifel Enjoy Your age of Sail stories they are always Great I like them very much incredible Tales : ) Bravery at its full Height, Cheers!!! Rick from Canada

[@peterlynchchannel]

It seems such poor luck that so many English warships engaged Glorioso off the coast of Spain and Portugal but no Spanish warships came to her assistance in her final battles.

[@barrycarter9289]

The use of the models in the videos is a great step ... Thank you

[@davidlavigne207]

El Glorioso was indeed a valiant ship manned by a hard fighting crew led by a courageous captain. The British manning smaller less well armed vessels had some pluck taking on this Spanish 3rd rate as well. She was a tough nut to crack indeed. Great tale of war at sea in the age of sail. It's like something out of the works of Patrick O'Brian, C.S. Forester, or an Alexander Kent (Douglas Reeman), three authors whom I have read all their novels. I could almost feel the wind and spray, and smell the cordite as Drach recounted the battles.

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

Awesome story, superbly told, as usual. Brilliant job, Drach!! 😎

[@robbabcock_]

What an epic tale of an amazing ship!⚔🔥🙌

[@user-ns1mh5xx3u]

Strike the pirate's flag Drach, for you've blown another one clean out of the water. As usual, smashing good show yet again my good man. TY SIR and I'm eagerly awaiting another pirate's flag, so to speak SIR.😊😊😊 😷🚕🛣️🔥👍✅😁🤔

[@bigsarge2085]

Excellent!

[@pablom-f8762]

The Joel Romero of the Armada: "He felt like cement. That's all I have to say."

[@joselitostotomas8114]

I am surprised Glorioso wasn't bequeath to other down to the ages in the Armada.

[@isthatrubble]

today in sentences with incredibly different modern meanings: "he gave me his discharge, which I reciprocated with mine"

[@user-hw1qo2mu9e]

Thanks Drach.

[@ronstewtsaw]

Astonishing!

[@rodneyhull9764]

enjoyed that,thanks

[@lewiswestfall2687]

Thanks Drach

[@wildcolonialman]

Fabulous.

[@manythingslefttobuild]

Great video Drach.

[@tadasdovii8262]

What a movie this story could be!!! Or tv series even better.

[@donaldjenner489]

A charming and illustrative tribute.

[@VictorGarciaR]

At 4:30 , what is the literal name used? Because if it was "tirachinas" (literally translated to "small stones thrower", correctly translatedto "slingshot") it may just have been a peyorative nickname. Maybe just a slang term to refer to a small gun reserved for anti-personel role in an hypothetical boarding action.

[@TheSrSunday]

"Pedrero", I guess: armamentonaval.wordpress.com/2014/01/25/los-pedreros-de-marina/ Small guns usually loaded with grape for antipersonnel purposes. Not shooting rocks anymore.

[@MarzoVarea]

The Spanish technical term for a stone throwing gun was "pedrero", if I am not mistaken.

[@oiermontero2310]

I believe the name isnt literal. It just refers to a deck moynted anti personal gun

[@MARGATEorcMAULER]

Quite a story thanks 👍

[@zopEnglandzip]

What a fantastic tale, thank ye sir

[@williamgreen7415]

Thanks!

[@hazchemel]

That was so good. And the kinds of different amazing things is very inspiring.

Fascinating story and nice way of presenting it with the models.

[@beverlychmelik5504]

I didn't realise that night actions happened that often then.

[@paquebot_T6]

Oh, how have I waited for this video

[@stephenrichards339]

That was a great piece of work, I really enjoy that and learnt something new, thank you

[@murrayscott9546]

Luvvin it !

[@jeffholloway3882]

Well done, a great respite from the world as it is today, thank you.

[@charleswade2514]

Love the music, it’s epically epic.

[@ciuyr2510]

What a great depiction with the wooden models. Well played.

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

Great story. :-)

[@nathanaelhavlik4293]

That was badass

[@TheEDFLegacy]

I approve of the Mario Bros. reference. 😅

[@alexbenis4726]

That was a great one. like to see you do a video on the Hermione mutiny.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

Was that the one where Harry and Ron decided they were tired of her shit and trapped her in an infinite hell loop using a boobytrapped Time Turner? Sorry, thinking of something else…

[@user-hp5bc5cy2l]

You are an inspiration. or, if you prefer, you are inspiring.

[@khaelamensha3624]

With respect Sir, both are correct 😂

[@aussietaipan8700]

Awesome video mate, its great to see the Spanish kick ass.

[@sIightIybored]

Fascinating the amount of topgallants that were shot away by the cannon. Clearly there's a lot more elevation potential than I realised.

[@molybdaen11]

I wonder why they deserted. Was it just bad conditions on the ship? Or were the officers to harsh? Maybe they liked the climate and saw a chance to improve they lifes?

[@notshapedforsportivetricks2912]

They could have been psychic.

[@scottyfox6376]

It's interesting what is considered valuable through history. Copper,brass,iron, steel then silver & gold. Now we have stripped nature of tree's, wood becomes valuable when once it was considered as infinite. With industrial war it won't be unreasonable to consider blood & bone as a readily available resource. I know WW1&WW2 has mined this resource but WW3 will render everything as collateral damage.

[@murrayscott9546]

Friggin, in the riggin.

[@RedXlV]

Pity she wasn't repaired and brought into Royal Navy service as HMS Glorious. Even with the damage she took, that hull seems like it probably had a lot of life left in it.

[@merafirewing6591]

Just keep the original Spanish name as a reminder.

[@elchjol2777]

If a ship can beat as many of your ships as it did and you mange to take it, keep it. One, there's prestige to such a veteran ship and two, It has to be built well to have survived all that so restoring it would have netted the Royal Navy a durable ship.