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Not much is know about the caravel, where and when built unknown.
Tonnage 200 ton, dim. 85 x 25 x 14ft. (draught)
Four masts, fore and main mast square rigged, mizzen and Bonaventura mast lateen rigged.
She was the flagship of Don Pedro de Mendoza (1487-1537) expedition to the River Plata.
Mendoza held a post in the court of Charles V, when he in 1534 made an offer to Emperor Charles V to make an expedition on his own account for the discovery and conquest of Paraguay and the countries on the Rio La Plata.
24 August 1534 Mendoza on board the MAGDALENA and 13 other vessels, with 3000 men set sail from San Lucar, Spain.
Receive from the Emperor before sailing 2.000 ducats, with the condition, when he transported to the new founded colonies 1000 colonists and 100 horses, build a road to the Pacific Ocean, erect three forts within two years he would receive 2.000 ducats more. Also he had to take 8 monks, a physician, a surgeon, and an apothecary, but he was forbidden to introduce a lawyer in the colony.
He was to have half the treasure of the chiefs killed and nine-tenths of the ransom.
Mendoza was made before sailing military governor of all the territory between the Rio de la Plata and the Strait of Magellan. The office of the Governor was also made hereditary.
Off the coast of Brazil the fleet was scattered in a heavy storm, and Medoza lieutenant Osario, was assassinated, according to some authorities by the orders of Mendoza himself because of suspected disloyalty.
1535 Mendoza sailed up the Rio de la Plata, and founded Buenos Aires on 02 February 1536.
He erected two forts there to defend the place.
Pestilence broke out and the natives became unfriendly after ill treatment by the Spaniards.
His brother Don Diego led a force against the hostile tribes, but was killed with three-fourths of his men.
A general conspiracy of the natives was formed, and Buenos Aires was captured and burned by the natives.
Mendoza retired to the forth Sanctus-Spiritus, from where he dispatched Juan de Ayolas to explore the upper part of the river.
Another brother, Gonzalo arrived with reinforcements and founded the city of Ascención in Paraguay in 1536.
Mendoza, disappointed and with a broken health, embarked on board the MAGDALENA for Spain in 1537, leaving Juan de Ayolas in charge.
During the long voyage to Spain he died maniac on board the MAGDALENA on 23 June 1537.
The fate of the MAGDALENA is not known.
Argentine 1979 400p + 400p sg 1646
Source: mostly copied from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_de_Mendoza http://famousamericans.net/pedrodemendoza