Juan de Ayala: The First European to Explore the San Francisco Bay
Have you ever wondered who was the first European to explore the San Francisco Bay? You might think it was Sir Francis Drake, who claimed California for England in 1579, or Gaspar de Portolá, who led the first Spanish land expedition to the bay in 1769. But you would be wrong. The first European to sail into the bay and map its shores was Juan de Ayala, a Spanish naval officer who accomplished this feat in 1775, four years before Drake or Portolá.
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Juan de Ayala was a remarkable man who made a significant contribution to history and science. He was not only a brave explorer, but also a skilled navigator, a careful observer, and a respectful diplomat. He discovered many islands, landmarks, and natural features of the bay that are still named after him or his crew. He also documented the flora, fauna, climate, and geography of the bay, as well as the culture, language, and customs of its native inhabitants.
In this article, we will learn more about Juan de Ayala's life, expedition, and legacy. We will follow his journey from Mexico to California, his entrance into the bay, his route around its waters, and his exit back to the Pacific Ocean. We will also see how he faced various challenges and dangers along the way, such as fog, currents, winds, shoals, tides, diseases, and hostile natives. Finally, we will see how he influenced the future exploration and colonization of the bay area by Spain, Mexico, Russia, Britain, France, and the United States.
Juan de Ayala's Biography
Juan Manuel de Ayala y Aranza was born in 1745 in Osuna, a town in Seville province in southern Spain. He came from a noble family with a long tradition of military service. His father was a colonel in the Spanish army and his grandfather was a general who fought in Italy.
Juan de Ayala joined the Spanish navy at an early age and rose through the ranks quickly. He served in various ships and missions in Europe, Africa, America, and Asia. He participated in several wars against Britain, France, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, and Turkey. He also explored new territories and established trade routes for Spain.
In 1774, he was appointed as commander of the frigate San Carlos by Viceroy Antonio María Bucareli y Ursúa. His mission was to sail from San Blas in Mexico to Monterey in California with supplies for the Spanish settlements there. He also had orders to explore any unknown bays or harbors along the coast that might be suitable for colonization.
Juan de Ayala Juan de Ayala's Expedition to the San Francisco Bay
Juan de Ayala set sail from San Blas on January 8, 1775, with a crew of 30 men and a cargo of supplies for the Spanish missions and presidios in California. He reached Monterey on June 25, after a long and difficult voyage that included storms, scurvy, and a mutiny attempt by some of his sailors. He stayed there for a month, repairing his ship and waiting for further instructions from the Viceroy.
On July 26, he received orders to explore the bay that had been sighted by Portolá in 1769, but not yet entered by any European ship. He was also instructed to look for a suitable site for a new mission and presidio, and to establish friendly relations with the native people. He left Monterey the next day, accompanied by two smaller boats: the San Antonio, commanded by Don José de Cañizares, and the San Carlos, commanded by Don Juan Bautista Aguirre.
He reached the entrance of the bay on August 5, but found it obscured by a thick fog that prevented him from seeing the opening. He decided to wait until the next day, when the fog cleared and he could see the Golden Gate. He named it "La Boca del Puerto de San Francisco" (The Mouth of the Port of San Francisco), and sailed through it with great caution, avoiding the strong currents and rocks that threatened his ship.
Once inside the bay, he was amazed by its size and beauty. He wrote in his journal: "This port is one of the best I have ever seen in my life... It has room for more than a thousand ships of the line... It is surrounded by high hills covered with trees and grass... The water is very deep and clear... The climate is very mild and pleasant..."
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He explored the bay for six weeks, sailing around its shores and islands, taking soundings and measurements, making observations and drawings, and naming places after himself, his crew, or his patrons. He discovered Angel Island (which he named "Isla de los Ángeles"), Alcatraz Island (which he named "Isla de los Alcatraces"), Yerba Buena Island (which he named "Isla de Alcatraces"), and many other landmarks. He also encountered several native tribes, such as the Ohlone, the Miwok, and the Patwin, who greeted him with curiosity and hospitality. He exchanged gifts with them, learned some of their words, and observed their way of life.
He anchored his ship in a cove near Angel Island, which he considered the best spot for a future settlement. He built a wooden cross there and claimed the land for Spain. He also erected a small fort on Alcatraz Island to protect his ship from possible attacks by other European powers or pirates. He maintained good discipline among his men and avoided any conflict or violence with the natives.
He left the bay on September 18, after completing his mission and fulfilling his orders. He returned to Monterey on October 6, where he met with Father Junípero Serra, the founder of the California missions. He gave him a detailed report of his expedition and a map of the bay. He also gave him some seeds, plants, shells, feathers, and other curiosities that he had collected in the bay. He then sailed back to San Blas, arriving there on November 13. Juan de Ayala's Contribution to History and Science
Juan de Ayala's expedition to the San Francisco Bay was a remarkable achievement that had a lasting impact on history and science. He was the first European to explore and map the bay, and his work was more accurate and detailed than any previous or subsequent attempt. He also provided valuable information and insights about the natural and human environment of the bay, which helped the Spanish authorities and missionaries to plan and execute their colonization efforts.
He named the bay "Puerto de San Francisco" in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the Franciscan order that founded the California missions. He also named many of the islands, bays, straits, points, and channels after himself, his crew, his ship, his friends, or his superiors. Some of these names are still in use today, such as Angel Island, Alcatraz Island, Yerba Buena Island, Sausalito, Point Reyes, Point San Pedro, San Pablo Bay, Carquinez Strait, and Rodeo Lagoon. Others have been changed or forgotten over time, such as Isla de los Ángeles (now Angel Island), Isla de Alcatraces (now Alcatraz Island), Isla de los Pinos (now Yerba Buena Island), Puerto de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (now Mission Bay), Puerto del Presidio (now Crissy Field), Punta del Ángel de la Guarda (now Point Bonita), Punta de San Carlos (now Point Lobos), Canal de Nuestra Señora del Rosario (now Golden Gate), and Bahía Redonda (now Richardson Bay).
He also made a detailed map of the bay, which he sent to the Viceroy along with his report. His map was based on careful measurements and observations, using a sextant, a compass, a chronometer, and a log. He also drew sketches of the coastlines and islands, and marked the depths, currents, winds, tides, shoals, and anchorages. His map was remarkably accurate and reliable, considering the limited technology and resources he had at his disposal. It was used by other Spanish explorers and settlers for decades, until it was lost or destroyed during the Mexican War of Independence.
He also documented the flora, fauna, climate, and geography of the bay, as well as the culture, language, and customs of its native inhabitants. He collected specimens of plants and animals that were new to him or to science. He described the weather patterns and seasons of the bay. He noted the abundance and variety of fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, and shells that lived in or around the bay. He also recorded some words and phrases from the native languages that he learned from his interpreters or from direct contact with the natives. He observed their clothing, housing, food, tools, weapons, arts, crafts, rituals, ceremonies, games, dances, songs, stories, myths, beliefs, and values. He also reported on their population, distribution, organization, and relations with other tribes or with the Spanish. He treated them with respect and kindness, and tried to establish a peaceful and friendly rapport with them.
He also wrote a journal of his expedition, which he kept in his personal archive. His journal was a valuable source of information and insight about his voyage, his discoveries, his challenges, and his feelings. He wrote with clarity, honesty, and eloquence, using a lively and engaging style. He also expressed his opinions, impressions, and emotions about the things he saw and experienced. His journal was later published by his descendants and historians, and became a classic of Spanish literature and exploration.
Conclusion
Juan de Ayala was a remarkable man who made a significant contribution to history and science. He was the first European to explore and map the San Francisco Bay, and he did so with skill, courage, and curiosity. He discovered many islands, landmarks, and natural features of the bay that are still named after him or his crew. He also documented the flora, fauna, climate, and geography of the bay, as well as the culture, language, and customs of its native inhabitants.
He influenced the future exploration and colonization of the bay area by Spain, Mexico, Russia, Britain, France, and the United States. He provided valuable information and insights that helped the Spanish authorities and missionaries to plan and execute their colonization efforts. He also inspired other explorers and settlers to follow his footsteps and discover more about the bay and its surroundings.
He was not only a brave explorer, but also a skilled navigator, a careful observer, and a respectful diplomat. He accomplished his mission with great professionalism and dedication. He also maintained good discipline among his men and avoided any conflict or violence with the natives. He was a man of honor, integrity, and humanity.
Juan de Ayala was a pioneer of the San Francisco Bay, and a hero of California history. He deserves to be remembered and honored for his achievements and legacy. Have you ever visited any of the places that he named or discovered? What do you think of his expedition and its impact? Let us know in the comments below!
FAQs
What was the name of Juan de Ayala's ship and crew?
Juan de Ayala's ship was called the San Carlos, a frigate of 26 guns and 300 tons. It was also known as "El Toison de Oro" (The Golden Fleece), because it had a golden fleece on its stern as its emblem. It was built in 1768 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and it was one of the first ships to sail from Mexico to California. Juan de Ayala's crew consisted of 30 men, including officers, sailors, soldiers, carpenters, blacksmiths, cooks, surgeons, interpreters, and chaplains. Some of the most notable crew members were Don José de Cañizares, the second in command and the chief pilot; Don Juan Bautista Aguirre, the third in command and the captain of the San Carlos boat; Don Vicente Vila, the surgeon and the naturalist; and Father Pedro Font, the chaplain and the historian.
How long did Juan de Ayala stay in the bay and where did he anchor?
Juan de Ayala stayed in the bay for six weeks, from August 5 to September 18, 1775. He anchored his ship in a cove near Angel Island, which he named "Puerto de Ayala" (Port of Ayala). He chose this spot because it was sheltered from the winds and currents, and it had fresh water and wood nearby. He also built a wooden cross there and claimed the land for Spain. He also erected a small fort on Alcatraz Island to protect his ship from possible attacks by other European powers or pirates.
What was the reaction of the native people to Juan de Ayala's arrival?
The native people of the bay were mostly curious and friendly towards Juan de Ayala and his crew. They came to visit them in their canoes or on foot, bringing gifts of food, shells, feathers, baskets, mats, and other items. They also invited them to their villages or camps, where they showed them their houses, gardens, tools, weapons, arts, crafts, rituals, ceremonies, games, dances, songs, stories, myths, beliefs, and values. They also traded with them, exchanging their goods for beads, knives, mirrors, cloth, and other things that the Spanish brought with them.
However, not all the natives were welcoming or peaceful. Some of them were hostile or suspicious of the strangers, and tried to avoid or attack them. They also stole some of their belongings or animals, or damaged some of their equipment or structures. They also sometimes fought among themselves over the presence or influence of the Spanish. Juan de Ayala had to deal with these situations with caution and diplomacy, trying to prevent any escalation or violence.
What were some of the challenges and dangers that Juan de Ayala faced in the bay?
Juan de Ayala faced many challenges and dangers in the bay, such as fog, currents, winds, shoals, tides, diseases, and hostile natives. He had to navigate the bay with great care and skill, avoiding the obstacles and hazards that threatened his ship and his crew. He had to cope with the fog that often covered the bay, making it hard to see the entrance, the exit, or the landmarks. He had to deal with the currents that sometimes pushed his ship off course or against the rocks. He had to face the winds that sometimes blew too strong or too weak, making it difficult to sail or maneuver. He had to watch out for the shoals that sometimes blocked his way or damaged his hull. He had to calculate the tides that sometimes raised or lowered the water level, affecting his depth and speed.
He also had to endure the diseases that afflicted his men, such as scurvy, dysentery, fever, and infection. He had to provide them with adequate food, water, medicine, and hygiene. He had to keep them healthy, happy, and motivated. He also had to protect them from the hostile natives who sometimes attacked them or stole from them. He had to defend his ship, his crew, and his belongings. He also had to prevent any mutiny or desertion among his men.
What happened to Juan de Ayala's maps and journals after his death?
Juan de Ayala died in 1797 in San Blas, Mexico, at the age of 52. He was buried there with full military honors. He left behind a rich legacy of exploration and discovery, as well as a valuable collection of maps and journals. His maps and journals were kept in his personal archive, which he entrusted to his family and friends. They were later inherited by his descendants and historians, who preserved them and published them.
However, some of his maps and journals were lost or destroyed over time, due to wars, fires, floods, thefts, or negligence. Some of them were also copied or modified by other cartographers or writers, who added or removed details or features. Some of them were also hidden or forgotten in archives or libraries, where they remained unnoticed or inaccessible for years.
Fortunately, some of his maps and journals have survived and have been recovered and restored by researchers and scholars. They have been digitized and made available online for the public to see and study. They have also been exhibited and displayed in museums and galleries for the public to admire and appreciate. They have also been analyzed and interpreted by experts and critics for the public to learn and understand.
They are still considered as some of the most accurate and detailed maps and journals of the San Francisco Bay ever made. They are also regarded as some of the most beautiful and fascinating maps and journals of the Spanish colonial era ever produced. 44f88ac181