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Oriental Trade Route

One reason for the relatively limited European contact on the native population from the 1540s to the late 1600s was that the primary purpose of European exploration was to find a route to the Orient and to exploit its exotic treasures. One reason for continued passage through the Channel by Spanish ships was the discovery of an ocean current route from Mexico, to Central America, across the Pacific to the Philippines, and then easterly back across the Pacific to the waters off California, and then returning to Mexico. Although it may be surprising to consider the California Channel as part of a trade route to the Orient, it was indeed a shipping lane for the Manila galleon’s return trip to Spanish holdings in Mexico, and eventually to Spain.

Between 1565 and 1815, Manila galleons traversed the Pacific Ocean from Manila to California, a six-month voyage, and then down the coastline to Acapulco.

Over the years, 10 to 12 of these vessels vanished without any record and have not yet been located.

Many others were attacked by pirates & privateers who stole the precious cargo from the Spanish...and it is rumored burried some of the treasure on the Channel Islands.

Here is a Challenge Question:

Locate on a world map the path of the ocean current that brought oriental trading ships to the Channel.

Another mystery surrounding the oriental trading route that passed through the Channel is the report of images of Chinese junks found in Chumash rock art. Is it possible that the Europeans were not the first navigators to discover this ocean current that facilitated easier cross-Pacific travel?

Historians have surmised that it may be possible that the Chumash had contact with Chinese sea farers even before the European arrivals.